2023 Annual Award Winners

aura is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2023 annual awards

2023 FEMALE RUNNER OF THE YEAR

FOR OUTSTANDING SINGLE OR COLLECTIVE PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE

Maree Connor

Maree Connor also took out the 2023 Female Runner of the Year Award for her debut 24 hour international performance at the 24 Hour World Championships in Taipei, which was a highlight with her placing 15th female overall and her total of 232.135km securing her the W40 AUS Record and the 2nd highest distance by an Australian female.

From Maree:

"Thank you so much AURA and fellow runners for this highest honour and recognition of my 2023 accomplishments. I am so grateful and also delighted to be awarded both of these awards and this tops off an incredible 2023 for me.

To have a great race, one must rely on many people - and I have. I dedicate these awards to all of those who helped me achieve each of my successes in 2023. From Canberra 24hr in March, to Badwater 135 in July and to 24hr World Champs in December. Thanks team, for everything.

Two highlights were my 3rd place (F) finish at my first international race - Badwater with a finishing time in the top 10 all-time women’s times! and my Australian W40 record in Taipei.

I'm super proud, I really am! This really is amazing, so good!"

2023 Male Runner of the Year

For outstanding single or collective performances by a male

Greg Wilson

Greg Wilson from Kyneton (Vic) is the recipient of the 2023 Male Runner of the Year due to his new Australian M70 records for 48hr, 24hr, 6hr, 100miles and also his new M70 World Best Age Record for 6hr at the Southern Sydney Track Ultra.

From Greg:

"Firstly I no idea that I was under consideration for this award, as I thought it was all about the nominations at AURA website and I wasn't in the final five (nor Phil Gore!). So, that was okay as I was more than satisfied with what I achieved in 2023 and as it is so difficult to compare the merits of various achievements across myriad events, "you get what you get and don't get upset. I was also aware that I hadn't featured in 2022 and though I had surpassed my achievements, others had also, especially one Phil Gore. For the record I could not have wished for more than the following results:

(24-26 March) Sri Chinmoy Australian 48 Hour Championship. 2nd place and new M70 record by 22.604 kms. An intermediate achievement was breaking the M70 200 Kilometre record by 6 hrs 36min 43 secs.

(11 June) Southern Sydney 6 Hour a new M70 World Best Performance 63.804 Kms

(1-2 July) Australian 24 Hour invitational (Open) 1st place in a new Australian M70 record of 175.034 Kms, an intermediate achievement was a new Australian M70 record for 100 Miles 21hrs 47mins 42 secs. Satisfying as this last one surpassed what Cliff Young had set as an M65.

Personally that was a year of achievement that I could not have dreamed of, but how it compared to other younger champion's achievements, I would happily leave to others. So it was a great surprise when Matthew Eckford informed me of being chosen for the award. To be chosen as the runner of the year, among so many talented ultra runners, is the perfect capping of a year I won't forget. Recognition by my peers that my achievements are considered worthy is most satisfying. I am honoured to just be in the company of the other outstanding ultra runners. 

Thanks to the AURA committee and the many friends and fellow ultra achievers I have enjoyed meeting and competing with as we test ourselves against time/distance."

2023 Helen Stanger Award

For the greatest single best ultra running achievement by a female under age 60

Allicia Heron

The winner of the 2023 Helen Stanger Award is Allicia Heron from Theodore (ACT) for her W35 and Australian Open 48 Hour Record with 361.160km.

From Allicia

"A whole year after I broke the Australian 48hr running record, getting the Helen Stranger Award totally took me by surprise. Honestly, it felt like I was reliving that winning moment all over again, but with an extra sprinkle of shock and awe. It's wild to think that after all the sweat had dried and life had moved on, here comes this massive nod of recognition. It made the whole thing feel even more special, if that's possible. The achievement itself was huge for me, but getting this award out of the blue was like the universe giving me a high five. It was a vivid reminder of what I'd managed to pull off, making me feel proud and a bit stunned all over again. Thank you AURA and everyone who nominated me for this year's award."

2023 Bryan Smith Award

For the greatest single best ultra running achievement by a male under age 60

Phil Gore

Phil Gore from Darling Downs (WA) won the 2023 Bryan Smith Award for his performance in breaking the world record in a backyard ultra with 102 hours (682km) at the 2023 Australian BYU Masters at Dead Cow Gully in Queensland.

2023 Young Female Ultra Runner of the Year

For outstanding single or collective performances by an up and coming female under age 30

Cassie Cohen

Cassie Cohen from Kingston (ACT) twice represented Australia in 24 hour track running, gaining an individual silver medal and team gold at the 24 Hour World Championships.

2023 Shirley Young Award

For the greatest single best ultra running achievement by a female over the age of 60

Sandi Faddy

The 2023 Shirley Young Award recipient is Sandi Faddy, from Boondall (Queensland) who was recognised for breaking two Australian F60 records with 100miles and 6 days at the 2023 Australian 6 Day Ultra Marathon Festival in Adelaide, SA.

* For 2023, there were no recipients for the following awards:

2023 Young Male Ultra Runner of the Year (for outstanding single or collective performances by an up and coming male under the age 30)

2023 Cliff Young Award (for the greatest single best ultra running achievement by a male over the age of 60)