AUTRA members and their published books

Kate Dzienis • September 26, 2024

tales from an ancient marathoner

by greg wilson

From a deprived childhood within a family history of mental illness, suicide and addictions, Greg Wilson has attained unexpected heights as an ultramarathoner. Joining the Australian Army at seventeen was the catalyst for an athletics career. Within a few months, he was among the most accomplished distance runners in the Australian Defence Force.

This enthralling account documents Greg's inclusion in the winning team at the Olympic Marathon trials, competing in the ADF Orienteering team beyond the Arctic Circle, and completing the 'big lap' in three months as a member of the XXXX Australian Army Around Australia Relay Team.

He has raced in the company of the likes of the world's greatest ultra runner, Yiannis Kouros, and smashed the records set by septuagenarian legend Cliff Young.

His most recent event was to represent Australia in a World Age Group Marathon Championship in Chicago, in a field of 49,000. This is an inspiring account of overcoming adversity and being true to your talent.

For a copy of this book, contact Greg Wilson via Facebook or head to Aesop's Attick Bookshop online.

There is no finish: the backyard ultra story

by STephen Parker

AUTRA member Stephen Parker has release a new book: There Is No Finish: The Backyard Ultra Story.

There Is No Finish will launch next month, one week before the Championships and will tell the origin stories of the backyard ultra. Stephen Parker loves telling stories and running, and has been telling stories about running for almost 40 years.

With a foreword by Lazarus Lake, the book dives deep into the format.

“After participating in a few of these events myself, and spending far too many hours following the events live online, I was amazed to discover that no one had recorded the incredible stories I’d witnessed,” Parker says.

“I approached the founder of the format, Lazarus Lake, who was pleased to support my writing the book that eventually unfolded. Next, I talked to over 130 runners and race organisers and watched or read innumerable videos, podcasts, race reports and social media posts.

“The more research I did, the more fascinating stories I discovered, and soon the hardest thing became: which of the epic stories would I need to discard to create a coherent and compelling story?”

There Is No Finish launches 12 October 12 and will be independently published as Running Forever via Amazon.