WEEKLY NEWS REPORT 13-10-2021

KURANDA TO PORT DOUGLAS

The Kuranda to Port Douglas offered runners a 60km ultra option earlier in the month. The event, held on 3 October 2021, has one of the most spectatular finish lines in the country, with participants completing their distance along the sandy beaches of Port Douglas – and this year, the blue sky was abundant with sunshine.

First to cross finish line in the 60km event for the men was Alberto Garcia Gomez, who clocked in at 5:35:32. He was closely followed by Jeff Herbert (5:40:04) and Lachlan McIntosh for 3rd (5:41:51).

In the women’s 60km event, 1st Female was Julie Lightfoot, who successfully made her way along the beach to the finish in an amazing 5:38:02. Close behind was Amy Edwards (5:59:13) and Helen Durand (6:11:11).

Congratulations to Stuart Corbett from Hermit Park, Qld who finished his Kuranda to Port Douglas campaign in 8:15:11.

DELIRIOUS W.E.S.T

Yet again, the southern hemisphere’s first point-to-point 200 miler was held this month, with 34 athletes taking on the gruelling distance and 26 completing it. From 6-10 October, 2021 participants took off along the world famous Bibbulman Track in Northcliffe and made their way to the finisher’s village in Albany, WA with the only deviations off the track for sleep and aid stations as well as a beach route – the total distance for the event is 218miles, or 350.7km.

This year, everyone involved will be remembering the Delirious W.E.S.T as the ‘Delirious WET’ with all the water crossings and pools of water along the course, and event director Shaun Kaesler said he was sure the course record would be safe thanks to the course’s conditions, but one particular AURA member proved him wrong.

Shane Johnstone from Caversham, WA took 1st Male in a new event record time of 54:50:34, and said he was thrilled with his personal performance.

“It was a great adventure through WA’s amazing south west region,” he explained.

“I was fortunate to have a fantastic team that pushed me through to the finish for a new course record, despite how much flooding there was; it was an epic feat, and I’m absolutely stoked to have now ticked off the 200mile distance.”

Second Male went to AURA’s very own Sergio Gustinetti from Tuart Hill who crossed the finish line in 58:50:06 whilst 3rd went to Nick O’Neill in 71:51:26.

The 1st Female across the line was also an AURA member, Meghann Coffey from Hillarys who clocked in with a new course record time too in 67:09:51. She said after reaching Walpole, she focused on 5km every hour but throughout the event she simply wanted to stay consistent and mentioned she was extremely thankful for her crew.

Kate Jenour secured 2nd Female with 75:46:12 and AURA’s Jen Millum from Karnup scored herself 3rd Female in a time of 76:57:58.

Congratulations to all our AURA members who raced and finished in the Delirious W.E.S.T (we are still awaiting official results to be released), including Adam Loughnan (90:27:32), Chris Gerdei (90:30:33), Doug Bartlett (84:54:02), Fee Salmons (103:46:15), Glen Smetherham (78:46:58), Harmony Waite (90:58:51), Lizelle Smith (93:09:54) and Paul Hopwood (82:52:04).

WESTERN COASTAL RUNNING FESTIVAL

Proudly supporting both the Australian Cancer Research Foundation and Bravehearts, the Western Coastal Running Festival’s part proceeds go to help end cancer and protect children. It was the event’s 6th official running, held on 10 October, and offered ultra runners a 64km option in Semaphore, SA. 

All 3 entrants in the 64km distance were AURA members.

1st Male was won by WA runner John Herzfeld from Glen Forrest who secured his top podium standing with a finish time of 7:12:10. In for a close 2nd was David Billett from Coromandel Valley, SA who crossed the finish line in 7:56:04, and 3rd Male went to Colin Brooks from Semaphore Park, SA with a total time of 9:50:02. A big congratulations to our 3 members who took on the event with amazing success!

UPCOMING EVENTS

With the current pandemic still hitting states all across the country, it’s advised to keep an eye on events’ FB pages or websites if you have entered a race; alternatively, race directors will always communicate with their participants and volunteers on the next course of action.

The Heysen 105 Ultra Marathon will be held from 23-25 October with runners heading from Rocky Creek to Victor Harbour, SA along a 115km course.

The Halloween Dusk 2 Dawn in Telegraph Point, NSW will be held the weekend of 30-31 October; with constant updates to the NSW Public Health Order, as of 13 October only those with at least 1 dose of a COVID vaccination are permitted to attend the Halloween Dusk 2 Dawn.

The Lakes100 in Hawkes Nest, NSW (part of the Lakes Trail Festival) due to kick off the last weekend of October has been cancelled, with new dates set for 2-3 July 2022.

First ultra race for November will be WA’s Feral Pig from 6-7 November with runners given options to race distances between 50km and 100miles along the Bibbulmun Track.

NEWS

We love making mention of AURA members when they achieve incredible results at other races across the country and around the world, so if you or someone you know is an AURA member and they’ve had an amazing event that isn’t AURA-listed, email kate.dzienis@aura.asn.au and keep us in the loop!

Pictured: Shane Johnstone out on the track for the Delirious W.E.S.T. Photograph – Andrew Yeatman.