WEEKLY NEWS REPORT – 31/7/2019

Yaberoo Trail Ultra, WA

This weekend saw the running of the Yaberoo Trail Ultra in Joondalup, WA and offered participants three distance events – an ultra of 50km, a 25km and 15km.

Despite a cold start to the day, 50km participants hit the ground running just as the sun as coming up.

In the men’s race top spot for 1st Male, new AURA member Matt Maguire from Carlisle blitzed the trails with a finish time of 3:58:38.

Yannick Guitard came 2nd with 4:00:10 and Jason Keenehan 3rd with 4:07:05.

Surprisingly Maguire said it was his first trail race. 

“I was very unsure of myself going in to the race…after running five road marathons over the last five years,” he said. 

“I wasn’t enjoying the road running anymore and have loved the change up to trails in the last few months. As for the Yaberoo 50km, I only registered a week before the race, on the last night that registration was open.

“The race itself was fantastic, really well organised and a great way for me to start trail racing; perfect conditions.

“Four of us went out early in the lead. I was second going through the first 30km lap Really started to struggle at 35km, but managed to grab the lead and hold on until the end.

“Happy to say I’ve got the trail bug now, and looking to run the Albany Ultra later this year, as it’s my home town and the first time they’re doing the race.” 

For the women, Lauren French took the top gong with a time of 4:25:48 whilst AURA’s very own Margie Hadley from Henley Brook held on to 2nd after completing the distance in 4:30:35.

Shaye Pett claimed 3rd Female with 5:04:01.

Hadley said Yaberoo for her was about enjoying the race, the pace, and the atmosphere around her.

“The plan was to just run and enjoy it, not worry about pace, and just run relaxed,” she said in her Strava feed.

“The ankle held up well, there was no pain running; a minor amount of swelling but overall I’m really happy with my run.”

Congratulations to all AURA members who finished the 50km event including Jon Pendse (4:07:15), Andre Pienaar (4:43:50), Sergio Gustinetti (4:48:27), Mick Francis (4:51:03), Ian North (5:03:18), Beck Hefferon (5:09:00), Jutta Kober (5:36:15), Georgia Snowball (5:50:56), Vinnie Macri (6:12:58), Shon Fry (6:45:35), Mark Caldwell (6:53:52), Kelly-Lyn Fleming (7:21:35) and Bob Colligan (7:42:00).

The next races on the AURA-calendar of events are the HerberTONNE this Sunday on August 3 in the Atherton Tablelands, Qld and the Berry Long Run on August 10 in Bacchus Marsh, Vic.

Pictured: Run coach Glen Smetherham (Consistent Running, AURA’s Coach’s Corner, and Yaberoo race director) with 50km 1st Male Matt Maguire. Photograph – Supplied.