ABOUT AUTRA

The Australian Ultra and Trail Runners' Association (AUTRA) is a representative body of endurance athletes from across the country, created to foster and promote Australia’s most exciting and fastest growing sports.

Geoff Hook, one of AUTRA's (AURA) founders.

OUR PURPOSE

Formed on 5 May, 1987 under the guidance of Geoff Hook, AUTRA’s management is conducted by a committee with a purpose to:

Promote and develop ultra and trail running in Australia ✔
Grow the quality and quantity of Australia’s ultra and trail running community ✔
Support the well-being, development and competitive excellence of ultra and trail athletes ✔
Advocate for positive ultra and trail running culture and the ethos of camaraderie and sportsmanship ✔
Set standards and guidelines for official ultra and trail running events in Australia ✔
Vet and ratify claimed records ✔
Be the very best at what we do as an association, continually challenging our model, identifying and adjusting what’s needed, and celebrating ultra and trail running successes ✔

📸 Chris Huang (@chrishuang95)/Bondi to Manly 2023

With ultra and trail running thriving in both Australia and across the globe, the association has seen approximately 10,000 Australians complete at a minimum one ultra marathon in 2023 – more than a doubling of the number of participants 10 years ago and a staggering tenfold increase on 20 years prior.

It is now more important than ever for AUTRA to work towards taking the sport of ultra and trail running to the next level, actively encouraging participation in road, track, trail and backyard ultras by supporting athletes with resources and a strong network of like-minded individuals, and collaborating with race directors and organisers to ensure memorable experiences, proper event conduct, and high quality performances.

AUTRA is a member of the International Association of Ultrarunners, which is recognised by World Athletes as the global governing body for the sport. AUTRA maintains open and age group records for standard distances and for fixed time races including the 24hr, 48hr and 6-day. In addition, AUTRA aligns with the measurement and record-setting standards as defined by the IAU and World Athletics.

Growth In Ultra AND TRAIL Running

 An increase of demand in recent years has seen astronomical growth of ultra and trail events across Australia. AUTRA lists over 100 events on its calendar every year, and still continues to work on expanding that number.

With trail running participation at an all-time high, endurance athletes are spoilt for choice with everything from rugged mountainous races to those in vastly untouched parts of the country. 

Backyard events in the past four years have increased at a faster-than-expected rate, and pushes the boundaries of physical capabilities as runners target a 6.7km lap on the hour, every hour until only one person is left standing (these are also known as Last One Standing events).

Road and track events to this day continue with their steady popularity, attractive due to their simplicity but also giving ultra athletes endless possibilities to break records and rankings.

Australian Championships

Together with race directors and organisers, AUTRA sets its yearly Championships at nominated events that have put their hand up to host for that year. Since 2002, the association has held annual championships for various time and distance based events which was for AUTRA members only, however in 2020 these rules changed, allowing annual championships to be open for Australian residents – membership to AUTRA no longer being a pre-requisite.

AUTRA Championships are held for the 48hr, 24hr, 100km, 50km, Long Trail, Short Trail and 100 mile events, with the 50km and 100km Championships in association with, and recognised by, Athletics Australia.

World Representation

As an association that supports ultra and trail runners from all levels and walks of life – from those aspiring to run their first ultra, to the back-of-the-packers and weekend warriors, all the way through to sponsored elites chasing records and country representation – AUTRA selects and supports teams internationally to don the green and gold colours at World Championships for the 50km, 100km, 24hr and Trail.

Join AUTRA today and reap the benefits – whether you’re a beginner or an elite, we welcome you in this fast-growing community of people who share a love of running.

“IF IT DOESN'T CHALLENGE YOU, IT WON'T CHANGE YOU”

Share by: