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GET TO KNOW THE AUSTRALIAN 100KM TEAM

Kate Dzienis • July 2, 2022

AURA IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE MEMBERS SELECTED FOR THE 2022 AUSTRALIAN 100KM TEAM WHO WILL BE HEADING TO BERLIN, GERMANY FOR AUGUST 27 FOR THE IAU 100KM WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS.

GET TO KNOW WHO’S ON THE TEAM…AND CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF YOU!

Clay Dawson
Qualifier – 2022 Sydney International 100km (7:07:25)

“As a regular guy who as a youth was none-too-talented, gifted or co-ordinated at sport, the dream of representing Australia was something I would put in the same pigeon-hole as understanding cold-fusion or being the Prime Minister.

I am beyond proud that after the delay of 2020 and Covid I can finally wear that green and gold. I may cry, and get overly emotional, but just as much I am laser focussed on not wasting this opportunity!

On a side-note, how AWESOME is this TEAM?! Thanks to AURA and the selectors, rest assured, we’ll do you proud! Let’s get ‘em!”

Clare Palmer
Qualifier – 2022 Sydney International 100km (8:54:35)

“I entered the 100km Sydney International in April this year (2022). It was my first attempt at this distance and thought I would try to just complete the 100km; and if I got a qualifying time then that would be a bonus. I did complete the race with a time of 8 hours 54 mins, and came 3rd Female.

I learnt so much in this race and I think I will respect the distance a lot more with regards to pacing and being more conservative early on in the race and hopefully get a better time in Berlin this August. I’ve represented Australia before where I competed in the 50km World Championships in Romania in September 2019 – I placed 30th out of 67 women and it was an amazing experience.

I’m sure running in Germany and representing my country will not disappoint me either. Also, I can’t wait to meet up with the rest of the Aussie team and get to know them. Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi!”

Anna Pillinger
Qualifier – 2022 Southern Sydney Ultra (8:29:39)

“My qualifying event was the Southern Sydney Ultra (2022) where I got an A Qualifier Time (8:29:39) in my first 100km event and first run on a track. I’m so excited to be representing Australia at the 100km World Champs with this awesome team of runners.

Receiving the call to say I had made the team still feels a bit surreal as prior to my qualifying event I hadn’t run 100km, hadn’t run on a track and had only entered the event two weeks before.

Running is a huge part of my life and provides a welcome break from the fun craziness of life with three young kids. I’m so grateful to AURA for giving me this opportunity and I can’t wait for the journey over the next couple of months and ultimately getting over to Germany and giving it my best!”

Andrew McConnell
Qualifier – 2022 Sydney International 100km (7:17:06)

“I loved playing sports including athletics growing up, but I was pretty hopeless at all of them. I always fantasised about competing in the Olympics, but deep down knew it was never going to happen. So I’m so grateful to have found my niche in ultra running, and now being given the opportunity to represent Australia is a dream come true.

Until 6 months ago, I’d always focused on trail ultras, having never raced more than a half marathon on the roads. Ironically, it was at the greatest trail race of them all – Western States – in 2019 that the seed was sewn to one day try and make the road 100km World Championships following a chat with Gary Mullins.

Even more ironically it was also Gary who created the Sydney 100km this year where I ran my qualifier. To add a coincidence to the ironies it was another Gary – Howard – who coached me to that performance. The Sydney 100km was both extra special and extra challenging due to it taking place seven weeks after our first child was born.

It absolutely could not have happened without the support and selflessness of my partner Dominique (and our daughter Sigrid of course!).”

Dion Finocchiaro
Qualifier – 2022 Sydney International 100km (6:30:43)

“Being selected for another World Championships (this is Dion’s third time selected!) is a great privilege and I look forward to running in Germany with the rest of the Australlian team.

I have some unfinished business from the 2018 World Champs since I was a DNS. This time, I have big goals of competing with the lead pack and potentially getting an international medal – either a team or individual.

I think we have a solid men’s team that can compete for a medal if we all run well. I’m also excited to reconnect with a lot of the new and old teammates for a great experience on the streets of Berlin!”

Corrina Black
Qualifier – 2022 Sydney International 100km (8:36:39)

“My qualifying event was the Sydney International 100km (National Championship) in April this year. I secured 1st Female in a time of 8:36. It is an honour to be selected by AURA to represent Australia again.

I am grateful for the opportunity and am very excited to stand alongside a remarkable team of athletes to race our best in Berlin.”

Greta Truscott
Qualifier – 2022 Sydney International 100km (8:49:11)

“My qualifying event was the Sydney International 100km with a time of 8:49:11 (B Qualifier, 2nd Place and debut 100km on 23 April 2022) The furthest I’d run before that was 65km so my body is still adjusting to these longer distances. I’m so delighted to be on this Aussie team of amazing runners, all of whom I really admire and am learning so much from. I have to pinch myself that I’ll be wearing the green and gold for 100km in Berlin!

I was so proud of my husband Chris when he went to the World Champs 100km in Qatar back in 2014, but I never thought I could run that far. After doing Pat Farmer’s 1000 Miles to Light in 2021, where I ran 40km a day for 10 days, I was itching for the next exciting distance running adventure. When I spotted the Sydney International 100km event pop up, I toyed with the idea, but wasn’t convinced. Then something came over me like an animal and I entered. I started a program with Barry Keem early February, which gave me 11 weeks until the event.

Now that I’m on the team, I feel proud and dedicated to do my best in upcoming training. However, various frustrations have been getting Covid, trying to recover from that, but getting injured and currently finding the sweet spot of cross training, running, recovery, good sleep and good nutrition together with looking after my family and coaching Rejoov Runners.

Taking on the advice of my team mates, being patient, working hard and being excited – are all thriving. Thank you AURA for your support and for this opportunity.”

Michelle McAdam
Qualifier – 2019 Ned Kelly Chase 100km (8:15:15)

“I am excited and proud to be a part of this talented team. I applied to the team after qualifying in 2019 at the Ned Kelly 100km Australian Championships. It was my first (and only) road 100km race which I finished in 8:15.

I am forever grateful to my family in continuing to support me to chase my dreams and being on the journey with me (also putting up with me when I’m tired and grumpy). One of my motivators for my running is my two children and to show them how much hard work I put in to reach my goals. What better way to inspire them then to have their mum in an Australia uniform.

I can’t wait to see what I can achieve and how fit I can get in really applying myself in the lead up to Berlin.”

Grant Schmidlechner
Qualifier – 2020 Spartanion Race (Tel Aviv) 100km (6:50:17)

“Seriously pinching myself with the news I’ll be representing Australia! What a two years it’s been since I hatched a very late night plan to up from the marathon to 100km.

It started as an idea to encourage my little boys to always keep trying – to keep pursuing your dreams. I managed the A qualifier for the 2020 100km World Champs, but unfortunately Covid had different ideas. While I had doubts the dream would come true, I was so excited and proud to get the message from AURA president Ewan Horsburgh that I had been selected to represent Australia.

I’m looking forward to wearing the precious green and gold. Knowing my biggest supporters (my wife Em and our three boys) will be there to cheer me and the rest of the team on, is very special.”

Jackie Kellerman
Qualifier – 2021 Australia Day Ultra 100km (8:14:05)

“A late starter to running (in my 30s), I fell in love with the Comrades Marathon in 2016 after my local running club convinced me that I wasn’t a ‘real’ runner until completing at least one! I’ve since completed three Comrades Marathons and several other ultra marathons with my love for the long run growing stronger with each one.

I’m honoured to be part of a strong team representing Australia in the green and gold. I’m also grateful to train and live in the beautiful WA, with a fun loving running community. Hoping to promote the sport that I am highly passionate about and to encourage others to run past the marathon, no matter where you are in life.

Let’s do this team!”

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AUTRA News Report 19-02-2025

By Kate Dzienis • February 19, 2025

The latest in race results, covering Cradle Mountain Run, City Run, Oscars 100 Hut 2 Hut and Yaberoo Trail Ultra.

Final 2024 Points Competition Results

By Alexis Oosterhoff • January 30, 2025

Results for the 2024 AUTRA Points Competition have been finalised, and are available on our Points Competition page. Full details of the top 10 (as shared on Facebook during January) are detailed below, and results for all participating AUTRA members can be found in the documents at the above link. It was a real battle throughout the year between our top two finishers, Phil Gore & Kevin "BK" Matthews, with both giving it their it their all at events, and through contributions to the community - volunteering at multiple events, and submitting articles to our monthly newsletter, Ultramag. They finished within 2km of total distance for the year (Phil on 1203.087km, and Kevin on 1205.510km), and it was only Phil's final volunteering effort on 6 Inch Trail Marathon in December that gave him the that very narrow victory. As you'd be aware from previous communications, this marks the end of the Points Competition. With trail running (of all distances) now incorporated into AU T RA's constitution, and after careful consideration of the costs of the competition payouts in it's current form, the committee felt it was time for it's retirement. This marks my seventh and final year of delivering the points competition to membership (2018-2024), after taking on the role from Cheryl Symons. It has brought me great joy in doing so, and I feel like I've had an opportunity to get to know so many of our members through seeing their race (and volunteering) performances over the years! I'm continuing in my role as the AUS/NZL statistician for DUV (from whom we shared the data for the points comp), and you can expect to continue to find your ultra-race result on their site. 1st Place - Phil Gore (WA) - 86 points Phil's achievements this year have included a massive 265.653km (and 2nd place) at the IAU 24h Asia & Oceania Championships, wins at the Red Dirt Backyard Ultra (33 laps), the Australian leg of Big Dog's Backyard World Team Championship (96 laps), and the Soochow/Taipei 24h Ultramarathon (270.826km). He also knocked out an easy (!) 72km at the Light Horse Ultra 24h in between supporting his amazing wife Gemma. Those two 24h wins netted Phil new Oceania 24h Open Male records, IAU Level 1 qualifiers, and pushed him to the top of Australia's 24h trophy board (with only the great Yiannis Kouros having run further). Phil topped-up his points by contributing one article to Ultramag, worked as an Event Director at Herdy's Frontyard Ultra, and volunteered at a further five events through the year. He finished on 86 points. 2nd Place - Kevin Matthews (WA) - 84 points Finishing in 2nd place in the AUTRA 2024 Points Competition is WA's Kevin Matthews. He monstered his way through the year with finishes at Australia Day Ultra 100km, Delirious WEST 200mi, 24 laps at Herdy's Frontyard Ultra, 190km at Light Horse Ultra 24h, 23 laps at Birdy's Backyard Ultra, and also completed Feral Pig 100 miler, Sandman 50km and Six Inch 47km. And to top things off, he contributed five articles to Ultramag, and volunteered at five events. BK ran 1205km in Ultramarathon races this year, all of them AUTRA-listed, and surpassed 100 marathon finishes (including 51 Ultramarathons!) Kevin finished the year on 84 points, a massive 34 points ahead of our 3rd place finisher Sue Robertson. 3rd Place - Sue Robertson (WA) - 50 points Finishing in 3rd place in the AUTRA 2024 Points Competition is WA's Sue Robertson. Sue completed the Ultra Series 100 miler trilogy of Delirious WEST, Irrational SOUTH and Unreasonable EAST, and rounded out her year with the Sandman 50km and Six Inch 47km races. She received 30 points from the racing at AUTRA-listed events, and was awarded a further 20 points by volunteering across eight events and contributing two articles to Ultramag, for a total of 50 points for the year. Thank you Sue! 4th Place - Margie Hadley (WA) - 47 points Finishing in 4th place in the AUTRA 2024 Points Competition is WA's Margie Hadley . She was the top-female finisher at both the No Time to Die Frontyard Ultra & Wild Dog Backyard Ultra, 2nd at Birdy's Backyard Ultra, ran 182km at the Australian 24h Track Invitational and placed 3rd at Coast to Kosci. Margie received 47 points in the competition 5th Place - Melissa Robertson (NSW) - 44 points Finishing in 5th place in the AUTRA 2024 Points Competition is NSW's Melissa Robertson. Melissa took out 1st place at Irrational SOUTH 200 miler, 2nd place at Lakes Trail Festival 100km, 1st place at Hume & Hovell 100 miler, 3rd place at Rumble in the Jungle and 6th place at Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko 100 miler! She also volunteered at the GNW 50km event, receiving 44 points in the competition! 6th Place - Aaron Young (WA) - 42 points Finishing in 6th place in the AUTRA 2024 Points Competition is WA's Aaron Young . Aaron finished in 1st place at each of the Ultra Series "Triple Crown" of 200 milers (Delirious WEST, Irrational SOUTH and Unreasonable EAST), 55 laps at Big Dog's Backyard World Team Championship, and rounded his year out with Feral Pig 100 miler. Aaron receives 42 points, just nudging ahead of Maree Connor (who also finished on 42 points) on a count-back 7th Place - Maree Connor (NSW) - 42 points Finishing in 7th place in the AUTRA 2024 Points Competition is NSW's Maree Connor. Maree had an outstanding year, achieving 2nd place with 221km (and an IAU Level 1 qualifier) at the IAU 24th Asian and Oceania Championships, 1st place at the Lakes Trail Festival 100km, 1st place with 67km at the Southern Sydney 6h race, and 1st place with 116km at the Narrabeen Allnighter 12h. Maree also competed at Spartathlon race this year (for which she contributed an article to the September Ultramag on her experience), receiving 42 points in the competition. 8th Place - Darren Linney (SA) - 41 points Finishing in 8th place in the AUTRA 2024 Points Competition is SA's Darren Linney . Darren completed 34 laps at No Time to Die BYU, 199km at the Adelaide 24h race, and 814km at the Australian 6 Day race, for a total of 1241km raced and 41 points . 9th Place - Tristan Cameron (WA) - 40 points Finishing in 9th place in the AUTRA 2024 Points Competition is WA's Tristan Cameron. Tristan completed the Ultra Series Triple Crown of 200 mile races (Delirious WEST, Irrational SOUTH and Unreasonable EAST), along with Feral Pig 100 miler, for a total of 1154km raced and 40 points. 10th Place - Jen Millum (WA) - 39 points Finishing in 10th place in the AUTRA 2024 Points Competition is WA's Jen Millum . Jen finished 1st at all three of the Ultra Series Trilogy of 100 milers (Delirious WEST, Irrational SOUTH and Unreasonable EAST), and was 2nd female with 35 laps at the Wild Dog Backyard Ultra. With a volunteer stint at the Yaberoo Trail Ultra, Jen finished the year with 39 points in the competition. To view the complete list of members who secured points in 2024 click here and then follow through to Points Summary under the 2024 tab. All winners have already been contacted, with cash prizes distributed for 1st - 7th places, and AUTRA Store vouchers sent for 8th, 9th & 10th.