BACK ON TRACK FOR ULTRA EVENTS WITH 24HR INVITATIONAL AROUND THE CORNER

Kate Dzienis • June 29, 2020

By Kate Dzienis

The time is almost here.

The first official race of the new 2020 ultra season on the AURA calendar following the easing of restrictions after this year’s COVID-19 pandemic.

On the weekend of July 25, the Canberra-based Australian 24 Hour Track Invitational will kick off with a stellar participation line up of ultra runners (who are also AURA members) including Kevin Muller, Tia Jones, Stephen Redfern, John Yoon, Daragh O’Loughlin, Nikki Wynd, Kerrie Bremner and Luca Turrini just to name a few.

Race director Matthew Eckford, who is also the newly appointed vice president for AURA, has an incredible amount of 24hr race experience and knows the ins-and-outs of what it takes to make such a race successful.

He said his biggest concern was ensuring the event was held to near-perfect conditions.

“There aren’t too many races out there that are in cold conditions for the duration of the event,” he said.

“Many of them see cooler weather at night and then hot temperatures during the day.

“I’m elated that the Australian 24 Hour Track Invitational will be held in the middle of a Canberra winter with participants almost always enjoying the colder weather so they can race in ideal conditions.”

Invited runner Nikki Wynd from Lysterfield, Victoria has a significant background when it comes to 24-hour events, proudly having represented Australia at the 2019 IAU 24hr World Championships in Albi, France; the 2018 IAU 24hr Asia and Oceania Championships in Chinese Taipei; the 2017 World 24hr Championships in Belfast, Northern Ireland; and the 2016 Asia-Oceania 24hr Championships in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

She said she was looking forward to getting back into official events, and that training was on track.

“My training has been awesome; I’ve been working from home since the beginning of April, so have been able to fit work in around training instead of the other way around,” she said.

“Plus with my son having no sporting commitments himself, I’ve had more time. I usually just squeeze training in around everything else.

“I haven’t really changed anything in terms of training, but I’ve been more consistent day in, day out since April; I love training so have made an effort to get out every day, sometimes twice a day.”

Wynd’s goal this time at the Invitational will be about staying on the track for 24 hours, keeping warm by moving, and seeing how she felt on the day to decide on a goal distance.

The Australian 24 Hour Track Invitational will be held from Saturday, July 25 to Sunday, July 26 at the AIS Track & Field Facility in Belconnen, ACT.

A live feed will be available via the event’s Facebook page.

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2026 AGM Notice (15 April 2026)

By Dave Martin • March 14, 2026

AUTRA’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Wednesday 15 April 2026

AUTRA statement regarding Snowies Trail Run Festival

March 12, 2026

AUTRA has been in direct contact with the organisers of the Snowies Trail Run Festival, In2Adventure, regarding a recent situation involving an athlete and the event’s in‑person safety briefing requirements. In2Adventure has confirmed that the situation was discussed directly with the athlete at the time. From In2Adventure’s account, and for the purpose of clarifying the public record, AUTRA notes the following points: At no stage was the athlete prevented from breastfeeding at the event. The organiser states that the following options were offered to enable the athlete to participate while still meeting safety requirements: a quiet and private space where she could breastfeed while still being present at the briefing; the option to receive the required briefing at the 30 km start line after the start; and the option to change her registration to the 21 km event, where the briefing is conducted on the start line. At no stage prior to event registration on Saturday night did the athlete contact the organiser to advise of her situation or request alternative arrangements, which limited what could be put in place at the time. Face‑to‑face safety briefings have always been a requirement for In2Adventure events.