WEEKLY NEWS REPORT 7-12-2020

Kate Dzienis • December 7, 2020

Coast to Kosciuszko, NSW
Surf Coast Century, Vic
Bruny Island Ultra, Tas
Narrabeen All Nighter, NSW
Yaberoo Trail Ultra, WA
Fisiocrem GC50 Run Festival, Qld

This has probably been the most busy weekend on the AURA calendar since last year, with six AURA-listed events across the country and hundreds of participants throughout.

Coast to Kosciuszko
One of Australia’s most watched ultra events, Coast2Kosci, was held over the weekend, kicking off on Friday, 4 December and finishing on Sunday, 6 December with some participants hitting incredibly inclement weather in NSW.

The day kicks off at Twofold Bay (start at Boydtown Beach south of Mullica River mouth) and finishes at Charlotte Pass at Summit Road Trailhead.

This 240km premier ultramarathon was cancelled in 2018 and 2019, but came back in 2020 despite all the worries behind this year’s COVID-19 pandemic. Widely viewed as one of the most challenging ultras in the country, Coast2Kosci saw 32 finishers out of 49 participants (technically 38 finishers in total with 6 having to withdraw at Checkpoint 6, the 219km mark, due to bad weather conditions).

Each individual running Coast2Kosci has a strong background in the sport of ultras – this is not a beginner’s events, and each one of them showed stamina and determination beyond comprehension.

Onto the results and for the men, the top 3 finishers were Morgan Lindqvist in 1st Male (26:35:49), Grant Brisbin 2ndMale (27:09:45) and Nicholas Bamford 3rd Male (28:58:09).

For the women, Joasia Zakrzewski came in 1st Female at 28:18:53 whilst Amy Lamprecht took 2nd (29:07:10).

AURA’s very own Lou Clifton from Mount Victoria in NSW took 3rd Female in 30:01:11. Clifton dominated by becoming the 3rd fastest woman finisher on the all-time list.

The outstanding performances continued as AURA members took on the distance including Gerard Riordan (31:36:33), NSW State Representative Stephen Redfern (31:44:01), David Turnbull (33:08:09), AURA Treasurer Simone Hayes (33:11:21), Simon Duke (35:51:07), Pam Muston (35:55:40), Trevor Allen (36:34:25), Jane Trumper (37:16:59), Kevin Heaton (38:11:50), Renae Brock (38:19:50), George Mihalakellis (39:57:00) and David Bennie (40:22:50) and Kristen Brace.

Congratulations also goes out to those who had to withdraw for various reasons. Their efforts of starting Coast2Kosci should not go unnoticed – well done to Kevin Muller, Kay Bretz, Justin Scholz, John Pearson, Vladimir Shatrov, Sabina Hamaty, Kirsten Maplestone, Ross McPhee and Ryan Lowe.

Redfern said it was a tough 240km but he wouldn’t change anything. “We got conditions from a very hot first day through to Dalgety to strong winds on the summit; amazing how a race can be so different from year to year,” she said.

Hayes said on Monday she was floating on cloud nine and thrilled she finished the event. “It was everything I expected and more,” she said.

View full results here.

Surf Coast Century
The Surf Coast Century held on Saturday, 5 December was one of the first mass-participation events post COVID-19 in Victoria.

The 100km and 50km races had restricted fields just shy of capacity as runners tackled the challenging and scenic courses as either a solo runner or as part of a relay team. Each race started and finished at Anglesea.

In the men’s 100km event, it was Ross Hopkins who took 1st Male (8:38:29) whilst AURA’s Matthew Crehan from Northcote took 2nd Male with a finish time of 8:49:11. Matthew Whitaker claimed 3rd (8:59:26).

For the women in the 100km it was Sarah Hedger 1st (10:13:22), Christine Hopkins 2nd (10:45:26) and Felicity Pidgeon 3rd (11:59:44).

Congratulations to all our AURA members who took on the 100km including Ben Nicholls (11:25:31), Stuart Hughes (11:51:26), Toni Gracia (12:22:13), Bill Bardsley (13:43:51 and 1st Male in the 60+ age category) and Tony O’Connell (14:19:19).

The 50km division was held over the second half of the 100km course, which is renowned for being more difficult than the first half.

The men saw top podium finishes for Corey Milner (3:46:40), Damien Smith (3:58:31) and Jake Williamson (4:08:46). For the women it was Victoria Cole (4:32:21), Jess Short (5:00:15) and Sara Coulter (5:09:41).

Well done to the AURA members who took on the 50km including Dan Wright (4:33:52), Amanda Meggison (5:23:54) and Nadine D’Elia (7:28:04).

Rapid Ascent event director Sam Maffett said he was thrilled the event was able to come to life after State Government reassurance was received only weeks prior to race day.

“To see competitors’ dreams come to life at the event after many months of training, sacrifices and COVID-19 setbacks, has made this year’s Century one of our most memorable races to date,” he said.

View full results here.

Bruny Island Ultra
The Bruny Island 64km Ultra was held on Saturday, 5 December and started at Dennes Point Jetty, North Bruny Island, Tas. Participants ran the main road and finished with the infamous touching of Cape Bruny Lighthouse door in South Bruny to complete the journey.

We are still awaiting results.

Narrabeen All Nighter
Race organisers for the Narrabeen All Nighter were not sure if the event was going to be held this year (Saturday, 5 December) following NSW’s second outbreak of COVID-19, but luckily council accepted their COVIDSafe plan and the state was able to hold the virus at bay.

The main event at the Narrabeen All Nighter is a multi-lap trail race to complete the furthest distance in 12 hours (eight laps of the course equal one marathon; each lap is a 5.275km out and back trail loop). The trail is flat, smooth and fast.

Top spot went to AURA member Michael Daly who was 1st in for the men and secured a distance of 126.58km. Second Male was Adam Keighran (118.67km) and 3rd was Thomaz Moscardini (118.67km). For the women it was Amanda Spackman 1st (94.93km), Rachel Van Middeldyk 2nd (89.66km) and Allicia Heron 3rd (84.39km).

Congratulations to our AURA members who smashed the 12 hours including Michael Molloy (110.75km), Masanori Chiba (105.48km), Akira Suzuki (94.93km), Paul Gay (81.75km), David Campbell (81.75km), Nicole Kruse (79.11km), Leah Weeden (79.11km), Michael Thompson (79.11km) and Scott Marden (47.46km).

View full results here.

Yaberoo Trail Ultra
In the northern suburbs of Perth lies the Yaberoo Budjara trail, and that is where the Yaberoo Trail Ultra was held over the weekend (Sunday, 6 December). Held by Ultra Series WA, distances on offer include a 15km, 25km and 50km option.

Looking at the ultra event, the women’s podium saw AURA’s Jacqueline Kellerman from Burns Beach claim top spot following her finish time of 4:14:35. Second went to Katie Richards (4:34:23) and 3rd Female was claimed by AURA member Amy Glen from Como, who crossed the finish line in 4:50:14.

For the men, well known podium placer and AURA member Michael Hooker from East Perth secured 1st Male after finishing the 50km distance in a whopping 3:47:03. Nathan Fawkes took 2nd Male (3:51:45) whilst AURA’s Joshua Kuhn from South Bunbury held on to claim 3rd in a time of 4:05:17.

It was a hot day on Sunday for runners, and each individual deserves a big congratulations. Well done to all our AURA members including Jon Pendse (4:17:48), Daniel Chidlow (4:40:55), Kristin Trappitt (4:56:54), Ian North (5:14:06), Richard Avery (5:42:21), Sergio Gustinetti (6:33:14), Sandra Flahive (6:54:50), Alexis Oosterhoff (7:20:39), Carl Matol (7:21:43) and Rosa Haywood (9:16:09).

View full results here.

Fisiocrem GC50 Run Festival
The Fisiocrem GC50 was also held at the weekend, and offered a variety of distances for every runner – from a 1.5km to the 50km, there was something for everyone.

In the 50km women’s event, AURA’s Stephanie Auston from Merimbula, NSW secured 1st Female following her finish time of 3:17:26. Right behind her was Beth McKenzie for 2nd (3:18:38) and Riine Ringi for 3rd (3:19:09).

For the men’s 50km it was Jamie Lacey in 1st (3:03:34), Thomas Brimelow in 2nd (3:13:31) and Luke McKenzie in 3rd(3:22:06).

View full results here.

Coming Up
The next events on the AURA calendar are not for a couple weeks.

The Reindeer Run will be held in Marden, SA on 13 December and is hosted by GoodRunnings. It will be held on a flat 2.5km looped course along the river only a few hundred metres from Glenelg. A 6hr event is on offer for those wanting to tackle the ultra distance. Please note that if registrations indicate the possibility of overcrowding, the 6hr race will be moved to 12 December.

The 6 Inch Ultra Trail Marathon will be held on 20 December along the Munda Biddi Track from North Dandalup to Dwellingup, WA. Participants race a 46km course and face a 925m climb as well as a 775m descent.

Pictured: AURA Treasurer Simone Hayes loving the Welcome to Jindabyne sign during the Coast2Kosci at the weekend. 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.