2024 Annual Award Winners

On 7 February 2025, AUTRA announced its winners for the 2024 annual runnerS of the year awards

2024 Male ULTRA Runner of the Year

For outstanding single or collective performances by a male

Phil Gore (Darling Downs, WA)

  For his 3 outstanding performances for 2024: 265.653km at the Asia-Oceania 24 Hour Championships in Canberra in April and achieving a new Oceania 24hr record as well as 2nd best time by an Australian; securing a second new Continental 24hr record with a new distance of 270.862km at the Taipei 24 Hour Invitational in Taiwan; and his 96hr LOS (643km) result at the Backyard Satellite Championships and helping Team Australia get 2nd Place.

From Phil:

“Looking back on the year, I’m incredibly proud of what I’ve achieved. I managed to set Oceanic best performances in two 24-hour events - first with 265.653km at the Asia-Oceanic Championships in April, and improving on that again with 270.826km at the Soochow Track Invitational in Taiwan in December, and I was the last one standing with 96 hours at the Backyard Satellite Champs, helping Team Australia secure second place. I’m truly grateful to AUTRA for recognising all the hard work that went into these achievements, and I want to give a massive thank you to my wife and everyone else who helped crew for me throughout the year.”

2024 Helen Stanger Award

For the greatest single best ultra running achievement by a female under age 60

Donna Urquart (Black Rock, Vic)

The winner of the 2024 Helen Stanger Award is Donna Urquhart from Black Rock (Vic) is also the recipient of the 2024 Performance of the Year.

2024 Young Female Ultra Runner of the Year

For outstanding single or collective performances by an up and coming female under age 30

Zoe Manning (Indooroopilly, Qld)

For winning the U23 event at the Asian Pacific Trail Running Championships in Korea, representing Australia.

From Zoe:

"Wow, I was so surprised when mum sent me the post saying I had been given the award. With so many talented athletes I hadn't imagined even being nominated. I was speechless when I heard, I'd been proud of what I achieved in 2024 when I’d competed in new distances. Gaining the award felt like an incredible accomplishment when my coach and I were reviewing last year’s races both the positives and negatives."

2024 Young MALE Ultra Runner of the Year

For outstanding single or collective performances by an up and coming male under age 30

Ben Kuang (Carnegie, Vic)

Achieving 2nd Place at the Australian 100km Championships in Canberra in February 2024, with a time of 7:35 and then representing Australia at the World 100km Championships in Bengaluru, India.

From Ben:

“It is such an honour and privilege to receive this award amongst a lengthy list of highly esteemed Australian ultra-running legends. The 2024 National and World Championships were opportunities of a lifetime and memories I will cherish forever and look back upon fondly. I have met so many amazing and inspirational people through ultra-running and everyone motivates and inspires me to become a better ultra-runner and person every day. I’m excited and optimistic about the AUTRA 2025 season ahead given the success of 2024 and looking forward to seeing everyone continually smash and achieve their goals. Big thanks to the AUTRA committee, coach Dion Finocchiaro, family and friends for making this all possible!”

2024 Shirley Young Award

For the greatest single best ultra running achievement by a female over the age of 60

Sandi Faddy (Boondall, Qld)

For achieving no less than 6 new Australian F60 records during her run at the Australian 6 Day Ultra Race in September 2024:

• New F60 100mile Aust record (1d:06:52)
• New F60 200km Aust record (1d:19:00)
• New F60 200km Aust record (5d:18:24)
• New F60 12hr Aust record (87.942km)
• New F60 48hr Aust record (223.882km)
• New F60 6day Aust record (509.096km)

From Sandi:

“As a back of the packer and run/walker I am very humbled to receive this award. The ultra community is the best. So inclusive and no judgements. I love that I am totally accepted and can continue to participate in these wonderful and some say crazy events. What was so special in setting the records in the event was that the current record holder for most of the records was participating herself while she was making new age group records. Marie was so supportive of me and gave me heart felt congratulations. To me this epitomises what ultra community is about runners supporting each other.”

2024 CLIFF Young Award

For the greatest single best ultra running achievement by a male over the age of 60

Greg Wilson (Kyneton, Vic)

For breaking 3 new M70 Australian records during his run at the Canberra 24 Hour Open Race in April 2024:

• New M70 100km Aust record (11:14:13)
• New M70 50mile Aust record (08:27:03)
• New M70 12hr Aust record (106.849km)
  
  

From Greg:

“My 2023 running year was always going to be difficult to emulate in 2024. Use any of what I have written below. This is the only photo I have from 2024 although the presentation one from last year was taken at the Sri Chinmoy 100km if you wish to recycle it. In a year rather lacking in activity due to cancelled or conflicting events and injury concerns, I only managed three ultra's and I know which was worst. (Sri Chinmoy 100km). It coincided with being selected as 2023 AURA Runner of the Year Male and hence in my excitement I thought I was bulletproof. Nup!

“A few months later I ran the Australian 24 Hour Championship in Canberra, with the aim of improving on my M70 50 mile, 100km and 12 Hour records. It was very satisfying to have improved the full set and just as well, because after a brief sit down .... I was a 24 Hour DNF. So after some months off injured I resumed with a painful right knee and the second of two marathons (Sydney World Age Championship 7th) was a fortnight prior to the Australian 6 Day. An ambitious lead in to an event where I have never gone past Day1, in two attempts. Physically I was a wreck halfway through day two. With all that walking Cliff Young's record was in no danger, but I am proud that I was capable of forcing myself through much adversity, to be there on Day 6, with a total of 523.159 kilometres. Undoubtedly this is the most difficult experience that I have managed to (with great crewing Justin Hiatt/Allie Corippo) successfully endure. 

“For this successful failure to be recognised with the 2024 Cliff Young Award is acknowledgement that I will treasure, knowing that I had put absolutely everything I had into the achievement. If I never do another 6 Day I am satisfied that I put my head in the lion's mouth (Cliffy's area of excellence) and lived to tell about it.”

2024 FEMALE TRAIL RUNNER OF THE YEAR Award

For OUTSTANDING SINGLE OR COLLECTIVE PERFORMANCES BY A FEMALE TRAIL RUNNER OF ANY DISTANCE

Nicole Paton (Carnegie, Vic)

For a great year of trail racing across Australia and the world, with four 1st Places, a 2nd Place and two 5th Placings:

• Great Ocean Trail 100km -1st
• You Yangs 50mile - 1st
• Cradle Mountain Ultra - 1st
• Bogong to Hotham Ultra – 1st
• Surf Coast Century 100km – 2nd
• UTA100 - 5th
• Buffalo Stampede 100km - 5th
  
  

From Nicole:

“Being named Female Trail Runner of the year for 2024 was highly unexpected. I was not aware that I had been nominated or that I was in the running for the award and I can think of many more worthy recipients so it was a very large surprise! I am both grateful and honoured to have been recognised by AUTRA for my trail running achievements throughout 2024 and named alongside so many top level athletes. Congratulations to all recipients and nominees.”

2024 MALE TRAIL RUNNER OF THE YEAR Award

For OUTSTANDING SINGLE OR COLLECTIVE PERFORMANCES BY A MALE TRAIL RUNNER OF ANY DISTANCE

Noelis Rheault (Carindale, Qld)

For winning the 2024 Australian 100mi Championships at the Hume Hovel Ultra Miler plus achieving a new course record by 2 minutes. Also great results in the BTU60 with a 2nd Place finish, and Dusk to Dawn 100km with a 1st Place finish.

From Noelis:

“I was unaware that I had been nominated for the award and I feel honoured to be considered among so many strong runners in Australia. There have been some fantastic adventures, runs and races by Australian trail runners this year both domestically and at international events. It’s incredible to see trail running in this country continue to grow, with Aussie runners making their mark on the world stage. A huge thank you to AUTRA for championing the sport and keeping us all on the right path—both literally and figuratively!”

2024 FEMALE ULTRA RUNNER OF THE YEAR

FOR OUTSTANDING SINGLE OR COLLECTIVE PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE

Holly Ranson

For her outstanding performance at the Canberra 24 Hour open race in April 2024, achieving a new Australian Female Open 24hr distance record total of 238.546km. On top of this performance, Holly also went on to win 1st Place at another four events in 2024, including the Belair 50km Ultra, Yandina Five O 50km, The Guzzler 100km Ultra, and the Surf Coast Century 100km Ultra.

2024 Bryan Smith Award

For the greatest single best ultra running achievement by a male under age 60

Wayne Spies

For his run at the Australian 100km Championships in Canberra in February 2024, where he achieved a time of 6:49:55 and new M50 Australian 100km Record. It was the 6th best ever time by an Australian. All better 5 times previously were from U35s when achieved, whilst Wayne achieved his time at over 50yo.