In 2024, Shokz proudly became the Official Headphones Partners of the UTMB World Series — a milestone that marked our deepening connection with the global trail running community.
This year, we brought the rhythm back to the Blue Mountains at 2025 HOKA Ultra-Trail Australia by UTMB, one of the most iconic trail events in the Southern Hemisphere. Under the theme Hear The Beat, Own The Trail, we empowered runners to embrace every heartbeat, every stride, and every climb with sound that moves with them.
More than just headphones, Shokz was there to amplify the experience — from powering personal moments on the trail to connecting with the community through our inspiring athletes interview session at the heart of the event.
Shokz x Women's Running Collective Live Show, Featuring Shokz Athlete Lucy Bartholoew and Shokz Elite Runner Jess Jason
The energy was electric at 2025 UTA on that Saturday during our podcast recording liveshow! The [Shokz Girls' Talk] From Beginners to Elite, Hear Her Voice session, co-presented with the Women’s Running Collective, drew a passionate crowd as Shokz Athletes Lucy Bartholomew and Shokz Elite Runner Jess Jason shared their wisdom. Hundreds of passionate runners packed the grounds, buzzing with excitement, with spontaneous applause and laughter erupting constantly.
Lucy and Jess transformed the stage into a celebration of human endurance, with every story and strategy reinforcing that no goal is out of reach. “Stop saying ‘just’ and ‘only’, like 'I'm ONLY doing the 22 (km)'. You are a runner and that’s it”, suggested Lucy, encouraging the female runners to believe in themselves and feel the strength.
From first-time runners to seasoned athletes, women left visibly empowered – their nods, cheers, and thoughtful questions proving how deeply these authentic journeys resonated.
Missed it? Catch the full episode here and see epic clips on our IG @shokzaunz!
Shokz Elite Runners Conquer the Blue Mountains with Determination and Beats
This year, we built up a team of Shokz Elite Runners, to help us bring more beats and speed to the beautiful Katoomba. We invited four of them to share their experiences of participating in this trail event accompanied by Shokz headphones.
Our Elite Runner, Jess Jason, took on the UTA50 to challenge herself against a world-class women’s field and finished an impressive 4th place. But the journey to the start line wasn’t easy. Jess had just recovered from a virus and was still battling the effects of broken sleep. Early in the race, she felt off-balance—her heart rate spiked, and she was quickly overtaken by several runners.
She says everything shifted when she reached the aid station and picked up her Shokz headphones. With her favorite tunes flowing and full awareness of her surroundings, Jess found her rhythm. Her stride synced with the beat, her mind calmed, and she regained control. Reflecting on her race, Jess shares: “Here’s to racing with strength, freedom, and good tunes in your ears!” With Shokz, she didn’t just finish strong, but also achieving her personal goal of “Run feeling like my strongest self”.
The other three Shokz Elite Runners, Cecilia Mattas, Emma Timmis and Olivia Hulbert competed in the UTA Miler - 100-mile race and had good results.
For Cecilia, the trail isn't just a race—it's miles of mental and physical battles, each step pushing her to limits. "From early dawn through the night grind, the music helped me reset, refocus, and keep pushing" she shares. Powered by the long duration and premium sound quality of the Shokz headphone, Cecilia stayed strong through every high and low. And finally, she crossed the finish line as the second female.
The UTA marked Emma's third 100-mile race—and perhaps her most mentally demanding yet. Race day greeted her with dense fog. She ran alone for a long time, often not realizing how far the finish was. “It's a mental race,” she says. What helped distract her from the fear and tiredness was her Shokz headphone. With her favorite songs playing, she found it easier to manage the fatigue and stay motivated. "I love listening to 90’s dance tracks to keep motivation high and get my legs moving!" Emma shares. In a race where so much was unknown, Shokz gave her the energy, and push her through to the end.
Olivia described UTA as the toughest and most grueling race she has ever taken on. Over the course of 26 relentless hours, she pushed through wilderness, darkness, and fatigue — both physical and mental. What kept her going was the support of fellow racers, her beloved family, and the motivation from her favorite music played through Shokz headphones, "They lifted me through the low moments, carried me through the quiet, and gave rhythm to the pain".In the end, Olivia's perseverance paid off—she crossed the finish line in 10th place.
At 2025 HOKA Ultra-Trail Australia By UTMB, every step echoed with purpose, every climb carried a beat, and every finish line was a triumph of spirit and sound. With Shokz, runners didn’t just race — they connected, persevered, and conquered. Here's to hearing the beat, owning the trail, and powering more unforgettable moments together.
