WEEKLY NEWS REPORT 27-04-2022

Kate Dzienis • April 27, 2022

Dead Cow Gully, Qld
Sydney International 100km, NSW
Lighthorse Ultra, WA
The Gumby, ACT

Another brilliant fortnight showcasing how all of our AURA members went over the weekend with their respective events! As always, if you find any discrepancies at all with your timed result, or have noticed a name missing, please email kate.dzienis@aura.asn.au with the information required.

We are always wanting to publish your race reports too in our monthly Ultramag digital magazine, so please consider putting fingers-to-keyboard and emailing us your experiences – they don’t have to be about AURA listed events either. So long as you’re an AURA member, we want to hear all about it! Email ultramag@aura.asn.au to get into the May edition.

DEAD COW GULLY BACKYARD ULTRA

All eyes were on the Dead Cow Gully Backyard Ultra the weekend of 16-18 April, 2022 in Runnymede, Qld with a cohort of spectators not only on the ground on site, but on the socials too.

It was a fantastic event hosted by Timothy Walsh, and not only did we see an amazing abundance of ultra runners tackle the backyard format, but Dead Cow actually broke the Australian record for the largest contingent of finishers in a backyard ultra at the 24 hour mark – 22 to be exact!

It was all in a day’s work though for the last one standing though, with Barry Loveday taking out the title after finishing 37 laps. AURA’s Joshua Duff from Bentley Park, Qld however claimed the Assist with 36 laps.

A total of 22 runners reached the all new Australian record for the largest contingent of 24hr+ participants, with Nicole Jukes the only female on the list – those in bold are AURA members.

There were 163 starters, however the sleep deprived race director was too busy handing out bags of cow poo and scrambling to keep the entire event afloat with 300 people on site to provide a full list of starters – so if you’re an AURA member and you ran in the Dead Cow Gully, please drop us an email and send a race report for the May edition of Ultramag.

Barry Loveday (37), Joshua Duff (36), Ryan Crawford (34), Travis Saunders (32), Drew Willis (31), Brett Standring (31), Rhys Williams (31), Nicole Jukes (30), Sean Lyons (30), Petr Mikeska (30), James Blanton (30), Rowan Cassidy (30), Chris Murphy (30), Matt Fitzgerald (30), Mick Freeman (28), Kevin Muller (27), Phil Fowler (27), Alex McCann (26), Chris Van Leer (25), Kyle McLennan (25), Kevin McCann (24) and Trevor Smith (24).

SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL 100KM

Also doubling up as the Australian 100km Championships, the Sydney International 100km was held the weekend of 23 April with a last minute change of venue due to floods impacting the Regatta Centre. Unfortunately, it meant that the 50km and half marathon were cancelled, with only the 100km being run at the Narrabeen Sports & Recreation Centre. There were 19 starters.

AURA’s Dion Finocchiaro from Brighton, Vic put on a spectacular performance to claim 1st Male with a time of 6:30:43.

“Beyond happy with that one,” he said.

“I must admit, I was really scared of failure for this one given I didn’t finish my last two attempts at the distance. The rain the day before, and a forecast for more rain…I was scared of failure; I had little expectations and just wanted to run to feel and see what happened from there.”

He missed out on the Australian Record by 77 seconds, but his race was incredible and impeccable with everyone at the venue and on the socials cheering him on.

AURA’s very own Clay Dawson from Karalee, Qld secured himself 2nd Male after finishing his brilliant 100km in 7:07:25 whilst AURA member Andrew McConnell from Watson, ACT took home 3rd Male following a fantastic performance of 7:17:06.

In the women’s event, AURA’s Corrina Black from Mermaid Beach, Qld claimed 1st Female with a spectacular finish time of 8:36:39, whilst AURA member Greta Truscott from Malabar, NSW took 2nd Female following a time of 8:49:11. AURA’s Clare Palmer from Glenreagh, NSW won 3rd Female after finishing her race in 8:54:35.

An incredible podium list for both the men’s and women’s events!

A massive congratulations to the AURA contingent who ran in the 100km event, including Stuart Hughes (10:29:21), Pam Muston (11:23:33), Philip Balnave, Bernadette Benson and Barry Keem.

Three records are also yet to be ratified:

Dion Finocchiaro’s Australian 50 mile and 6 hour, as well as Pam Muston’s W60-65 11:23:33.

For the full list of results, click here.

LIGHTHORSE ULTRA

The Lighthorse Ultra was held at Perry’s Paddock in WA the weekend of 23-24 April and offered runners a 2.5km circuit course in a 24hr, 12hr, 6hr, 3hr and 1hr. It’s worth noting that according to USWA’s Shaun Kaesler, Lighthorse set a new Australian Record with 76 ultra marathoners in the 24hr event.

Lighthorse also saw a large number of former and current serving men and women participant in the weekend’s distances, including AURA member Julia Mackay who has served for over 40 years and has been in Psychology Corps the entire time. She is a Major, and is currently posted to 7 Health Company – she took her webbing for several laps, and represented in army kit.

Kicking it off with the women’s 24hr event, AURA’s Jen Millum from Karnup, WA claimed the title of 1st Female after finishing a total of 73 laps and covering a total distance of 182.610km. Cherie Savin secured 2nd Female (66 laps) and Ilze Roux took 62 laps for 3rd Female.

In the men’s 24hr, AURA member Kevin Matthews from Perth, WA took 1st Male following a total of 82 laps, which meant securing a distance of 207.360km. Conor Quinn got 2nd Male (74 laps) and Neily Rae took 3rd Male (69 laps).

Congratulations to the large list of AURA members who ran in the 24hr event, including Tim Bond (160.030km), Tristan Cameron (150km), Lizelle Smith (147.400km), Frank Chauveau (137.930km), Sue Robertson (130.170km), Andy Thompson (125.060km), Mark Caldwell (125km), Shaun Kaesler (124.760), John Herzfeld (117.400km), William Wallace (112.50km), Will Chan (100km), Kate Ashfaq (80km), Julia Mackay (72.610km) and Paul Hadfield(72.50km).

In the women’s 12hr, AURA’s Margie Hadley from Henley Brook, WA held on to take the lead and claim 1st Female with 47 laps and a total of 118.940km, whilst Jessica Smith from Perth, WA also an AURA member, held on to take 2ndFemale after 40 laps and 100.660km. Darlene Dale took 3rd Female with 34 laps.

In the men’s 12hr, AURA’s Phil Gore from Darling Downs, WA claimed 1st Male after 54 laps and a total of 136.390km). Michael Bellmon took 2nd Male (46 laps) and Neil Williams took 3rd (42 laps).

Congratulations to all AURA members in the 12hr, including Greg Benn (80.720km), Pamela Williams (72.50km), John Fisher (52.530km) and Linda Phillips (50.080km).

In the women’s 6hr, AURA’s Nicola Hibbert from Tapping, WA won 1st Female with 24 laps and a total of 60.880km. Martina Tairea claimed 2nd Female and Cherie Pettit claimed 3rd.

In the men’s 6hr, 1st Male went to Carl Harrison (27 laps) and 2nd went to Kyle Chrystie (26 laps). Well done to AURA’s Adam Loughnan from Karrinyup, WA who took 3rd Male following 25 laps and a total of 62.50km.

Congratulations to everyone who raced in the 6hr event, including James Sawyer (37.50km).

*Lighthorse results are interim results as of publication and some may not include the final extra distance before the siren blew.

For a full list of results, click here.

THE GUMBY

The GUMBY (Great Ultra Mediocre Back Yarder) was held in Corree, ACT over the weekend and offered not only an LOS format event, but also the GUMBaby – a race of 8 laps along the GUMBY course from Sunday morning, with a total distance of 53.6km and the winner declared as the first person across the line on lap 8.

It was an AURA member who won the GUMBY backyarder – Ben Grimshaw from Chifley, ACT was awarded the title of Last One Standing after finishing a total of 26 laps for a total run distance of 174.33km.

A big congratulations to all our AURA members who DNFd at the GUMBY, including Matthew Griggs (107.28km), Nathan Queripel (100.57km), Elliot Cooper (100.57km), Joe Hujs (100.57km), Tracy Watson (80.46km), Cassie Cohen (80.46km), Chris Wilder (67.05km), Allicia Heron (60.34km), Leah Weeden (40.23km) and Justin Hiatt (33.52km).

In the GUMBaby, Georgina Beech claimed 1st Female and Roman Lewis 1st Male. Well done to all those AURA members who ran in the GUMBaby, including Ellen Bradley, Chris Wilder, Chris Berendt and Kirsten Schulz.

UPCOMING EVENTS

The Down Under 135 kicks off mid-May (13015 May) in Blackwood, Vic, whilst that same weekend the calendar sees the Kep Ultra V2 (14 May) in Mundaring, WA and the Kieser Great Ocean Road Running Festival (14-15 May) in Apollo Bay, Vic.

The West Macs Monster kicks off 20 May and the Belair Marathon finishes off the month in Belair, SA on 28 May.

ULTRAMAG

We also want your race reports and story ideas for our monthly Ultramag digital magazine. Without your tips and leads, there wouldn’t be an Ultramag, and there would be nothing for you to read, so please consider contributing at least once in the new year where you get a chance to share your ultra running experiences with other members! Email kate.dzienis@aura.asn.au or ultramag@aura.asn.au with either your race report or a story lead.

Pictured: Winners of the Sydney International 100km. Photograph – Supplied/Facebook.

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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.