Cycling 615km over 10 days on a bike loaded with camping gear and dehydrated meals might not be everyone’s ideal way to spend the Christmas holidays. But for me and my husband, it was bliss.

Outdoor adventures, such as bikepacking and ultramarathons, are our happy place. If there’s a refreshing beverage or two at the end of the day (and plenty of snacks along the way), even better!

These experiences have become central to how I balance work, being a parent and life in general.

And I’m not alone. Australia has an insatiable appetite for physical challenge. Entries for running events, such as the Gold Coast Marathon, are selling out in record time. It’s a similar story for many ultramarathon events (typically distances of 50km, 100km, 100 miles or more), which frequently have waiting lists.

And it seems like every second person you talk to is training for something stupendous - whether it’s cycling the 3,000km Tour Aotearoa, hiking the 500-mile Camino de Santiago, or competing in a gruelling Ironman.

But why? Why all this involuntary suffering?

For me, it’s about the friendships I’ve made through these sports. It’s about turning off my computer, being fully present in nature, pushing myself to some uncomfortable places, and accomplishing some big personal goals (and sometimes falling short).

Most people who participate in endurance sports aren’t elites. We need to fit our training around work and family commitments. That means some ridiculously early morning runs, evenings at the gym, and longer sessions on weekends.

That’s where a supportive workplace makes all the difference.

For me, the flexibility I have at EBA makes fitting everything in so much easier. With the ability to work from home, flexible public holidays and access to two paid “adventure” days a year, I can still train and aim for my personal goals. Because my team knows participating in these sports is important to me and helps me to be my best at work and all areas of my life.

How organisations can leverage this endurance trend

In today’s competitive talent landscape, organisations are increasingly recognising that supporting employees’ passions outside the workplace isn’t just a nice perk - it’s a powerful employer branding strategy.

The benefits go both ways. Companies gain employees with enhanced discipline, resilience, and goal-oriented mindsets that directly translate to professional success. These qualities create stronger, more agile teams that can problem solve under pressure, focus on immediate tasks, and maintain perspective on long-term objectives.

Here are some practical strategies you can implement to create a workplace culture that empowers endurance athletes. You don’t need to adopt them all - even one can make a positive impact:

Time Management Support

• Dedicated leave

  Consider offering one or two days a year of adventure leave that employees can use specifically for participating in sports events without cutting into their regular annual leave. They could also use this day as a recovery day after an event.

• Flexible work options

  The ability to work some days from home gives people back precious time they would otherwise spend on their daily commute. This makes it easier to fit in workouts and reduces the stress associated with commuting, improving people’s wellbeing, cognitive function, and athletic and work performance. This is especially valuable for parents balancing family responsibilities with training schedules.

Practical Support

• Training facilities and perks

  Beyond traditional gym reimbursements, consider installing secure bike storage, shower facilities and lockers. Partner with local athletic retailers and coaches to provide employee discounts on gear, coaching services and training plans for people preparing for major events.

• Community building

  Start a club where employees can share their activities, organise group runs and celebrate achievements. Host monthly lunch-and-learns where employees can discuss training plans, nutrition strategies or upcoming events. This helps build connection and community while sharing valuable knowledge.

• Sponsorship opportunities

  Create a company-sponsored athlete program where employees can apply for financial support to cover race entry fees, travel expenses or specialised equipment. In return, employees can represent the company by wearing branded gear or sharing their experiences on social media. This creates authentic brand ambassadors while demonstrating tangible support for employees’ passions.

Performance Strategies

• Focus on mental health

  Consider bringing in a sports psychologist to deliver a workshop on mindset techniques that benefit both athletic and work performance. You could also introduce lunch-time activities, such as a walk, run or bike ride, as a way for people to destress and connect on busy days. This may also reduce stress-related time away from work.

• Goal-setting parallels

  Implement a performance management system that mirrors the progressive milestone approach used in endurance training. Help employees set both “A goals” (ambitious targets) and “B goals” (acceptable achievements if circumstances change), just as athletes do for races. Encourage managers to discuss how personal athletic goal-setting techniques can transfer to work projects, such as breaking down large initiatives into smaller focus areas, celebrating progress along the way.

• Leadership by example

  Encourage leaders to share their own sporting journeys - complete with setbacks, failures and eventual successes. When executives discuss how they balance training with leadership responsibilities, it normalises these pursuits for all employees.

And remember, if you do introduce any of the above strategies, communicate them clearly to your current employees as well as your potential talent - in your job ads, careers page and candidate communications. It could just be what gets them over the line and into a career with you.