AURA 48HR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Sri Chinmoy 48hr Track Festival, ACT from 26-28 March doubled up as the AURA 48hr National Championships with runners kicking off the event at 10am on the Friday.

AURA’s very own president Ewan Horsburgh was entered for the 48hr and managed 866 laps to claim 1^st Male with 346.546km. Not far behind him was AURA NSW state representative Stephen Redfern from Engadine who took 2^nd Male with 326.441km, but it didn’t stop there.

It was a complete AURA podium finish, with AURA’s vice president Matthew Eckford holding on for 3^rd Male after 689 laps and a total of 275.649km.

First Female in for the 48hr was AURA’s Cheryl Symons from Murrumbeena, Vic who completed 805 laps and a total of 322.352km. Her achievements not only saw her take the top spot for the women, but she was also 3^rd Overall.

Legendary AURA member Nikki Wynd from Lysterfield, Vic took 2^nd Female with 762 laps and 304.906km whilst 3^rdFemale saw the podium blocks complete the AURA circle, with Allicia Heron from Theodore, ACT secure 665 laps and a total of 266.139km.

With all male and female podium standings seeing AURA members take the titles, the same results applied for the AURA 48hr National Championships.

What a stellar effort by all!

Eckford said the main goal he had coming into the 48hr was to not go out too hard.

“It was all about racing conservatively from the start and ensuring I’d be there at the end,” he said.

“I’ve had a lot of big or bust, go hard or go home races, and I wanted to properly finish the 48hr and not be broken afterwards so I ran, walked, slept, ate and really embraced the opportunity to be out on the track doing what I love with the people I love doing it with.

“I know I don’t have the mongrel in me anymore to grind out and mentally push hard for what’s needed to get the big totals, so my ‘why’ from last year and onwards has shifted to simple enjoyment and gratitude over performance.

“275km in 48hr doesn’t sound as good as 275km in 24h but it was nice to finish on the podium with great mates Ewan and Stephen who had inspiring performances.”

Wynd said the race was a chance to get back into doing what she loved.

“For me the 48hr was a chance to get back to doing what I love after so many races being cancelled in 2020 due to Covid,” she said.

“I soaked up the atmosphere and loved sharing the track with all the other runners; I was happy with my performance and total especially after a good 6hrs off the track Friday night as I was unable to keep any food or fluid down.

“The race organisers Sri Chinmoy were absolutely wonderful. They put on a fantastic event. Well done to runners, crew and race organisers.”

President Horsburgh said it was fantastic to be able to go out and race again at the event.

“After last year’s race was cancelled two days before and not being unable to run a single ultra in 2020 as my races were all postponed, cancelled or border locked I was grateful to be able to participate again,” he said. 

“This was my first 48hr race and proved to be a challenging format.

“The hardest part was getting enough sleep at the right time to be able to keep moving forward. The support of the crew and my mates on the track helped me get through a tough second day with a satisfying debut.

“As the first Australian Championship event for the year it was great to see the new banners flying and so many AURA shirts out on the track.”