FKT ATTEMPT BY REDFERN

FKT ATTEMPT BY REDFERN

Kate Dzienis • June 30, 2020

Contributed by Stephen Redfern, AURA member

‘Blue Mountains Creek To Peak’ FKT run attempt, June 5-6, 2020

The previous FKT (fastest known time) was held by John Newman who ran the route in 27:45:05 on May 18, 2020 (supported). The Creek to Peak is a 130km loop with about 5000m of vertical gain; Stephen Redfern started in Blaxland and ran the course in an anti-clockwise direction, the same as Newman.

The loop was 130km long and had approximately 5000m of elevation.

I ran the FKT attempt solo and un-supported and managed to complete in 18h:42m:38s, which was just over 9hrs quicker than the previous record set. 

I decided to start and finish at Blaxland, in the lower Mountains and run in a counter clockwise direction, choosing to start at 8pm in the evening (Friday, June 5) with the hope of finishing sometime during the next day, having a goal time of 18hrs.

After seeing the new 130km loop circumnavigating the Blue Mountains in NSW, that was created by a local runner John Newman, who was able to complete the gruelling loop as a supported run in 27h:45m, I was excited to give it a go.

The run starts and finishes in a massive loop of the Blue Mountains with a mix of amazing single technical tracks, fire trails and a small amount of roads to allow the joining of all the tracks to make up the loop.

With it being able to run in either direction and started at any point being a loop run, I wanted to be true to the original attempt, so I decided to start from the same place and run it in the same direction.

The first 65km of the run is mostly on technical single trails taking you from the lower mountains up to the highest point in Katoomba, which I chose to start and run at night to make my un-supported attempt more of a challenge.

Upon reaching the highest point in the loop at Katoomba on daybreak with wonderful views over the Kedumba Valley, the rest of the run back to the finish, was on a mix of fire trails including the Sublime Point, Inga & Oaks Fire Trail, bringing you back to the lower mountains and finishing with a last technical track down to Duckhole pool on Glenbrook Creek and back to the selected start finish point in Blaxland.

With my attempt being done as a fully un-supported run, I had to carry all my gear and nutrition for the complete run and was only allowed to pick up water from public taps or waterways along the way which I did at three locations, being at Tom Hunter Park in Springwood, Leura Cascades and lastly at the Oaks Trailhead.

An amazing and challenging loop that now exists highlighting the best of what the Blue Mountains has to offer, this is definitely one challenge that was worth having a go.

By Kate Dzienis September 11, 2025
Run The River Half, Qld Murphys Creek Challenge, Qld Lighthorse Ultra, WA Kunanyi Trail Series, Rialannah, Tas Upcoming Events WEEKLY NEWS REPORT FOR 12-09-2025 As always, we're continuously on the hunt for your stories and reports, so get those race reports and photographs in to ultramag@autra.asn.au with the following information: Word document, single spaced Include the name of the event, the date and the location anywhere in the report (just a bullet point at the top is great) Please attach photographs to the email – do not put images in the body of your Word doc. You’ll just get me emailing you back asking for the photos sent in the correct way! As many photos as possible. With our new website, it’s now easier than ever to include a nice gallery in each race report No PDFs please And remember, it doesn’t have to be about an AUTRA-listed event specifically! You just have to be an AUTRA member for the 2025 year. Also too, if you’ve run in a non-AUTRA listed event anywhere on home soil or internationally, we’d love to include your race results and experience in our Member Updates, so please do reach out to us via email to kate.dzienis@autra.asn.au If any corrections need to be made in any of the results listed below, please alert me via email.
By Gary Mullins September 8, 2025
Location : Bangkok, Thailand Dates : November 21 - 24 2025 Role Type : Volunteer Position Time Commitment : Pre event planning + Travel Application Deadline : 17th September 2025 Thank you for your interest in supporting the Australian team for the 2025 IAU Asian 100k Championships. This role goes far beyond logistics. It’s about leadership, inclusion, and creating a positive, empowering environment for athletes competing on the world stage. AUTRA is committed to opening doors for those outside traditional pathways. We strongly encourage applications from coaches, former athletes, club leaders, volunteers, and passionate community members. You don’t need to have served on a board or managed a team before as we’re looking for people who genuinely care, are highly organised, and can proudly represent our athletes and country. Role Overview As Team Manager, you’ll work closely with AUTRA President Gary Mullins and Vice President Geoff Russell to prepare and support the national team before and during the championship. Pre-Departure Australia Act as the main contact for selected athletes and crew Assist with final entry forms and travel planning Prepare a Championships Agenda in alliance with the Team Managers Agreement Document Coordinate flights, uniforms, and team communications Help identify and organise crew support Attend online team planning meetings On the Ground in Thailand Be present and ready as athletes arrive Ensure all athlete needs are met so they can focus fully on their race Attend all technical meetings and represent the team professionally Coordinate team attendance at the opening and closing ceremonies Ensure the team and crew are prepared, organised, and calm Address any issues that arise with efficiency and discretion Provide hands on leadership and moral support throughout the race Support Provided Accommodation in Bangkok for 3 - 4 nights will be provided by AUTRA An official team uniform will be supplied A volunteer allowance of $1500 will be provided to acknowledge your time and service during the championship period. What You’ll Need Excellent communication and interpersonal skills Strong organisational ability under pressure A calm, inclusive, and athlete first mindset Commitment to AUTRA’s Code of Conduct Member of AUTRA Applying To apply for the role of Team Manager please CLICK HERE and fill out the Application Form. Applications Close at 5pm 17th September 2025. Selection Process Following the application deadline, the AUTRA Committee will review all submissions and select the most suitable candidate. All applicants will be contacted by Gary Mullins within 7 days of applications closing. Gary Mullins AUTRA President
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By Kate Dzienis September 11, 2025
Run The River Half, Qld Murphys Creek Challenge, Qld Lighthorse Ultra, WA Kunanyi Trail Series, Rialannah, Tas Upcoming Events WEEKLY NEWS REPORT FOR 12-09-2025 As always, we're continuously on the hunt for your stories and reports, so get those race reports and photographs in to ultramag@autra.asn.au with the following information: Word document, single spaced Include the name of the event, the date and the location anywhere in the report (just a bullet point at the top is great) Please attach photographs to the email – do not put images in the body of your Word doc. You’ll just get me emailing you back asking for the photos sent in the correct way! As many photos as possible. With our new website, it’s now easier than ever to include a nice gallery in each race report No PDFs please And remember, it doesn’t have to be about an AUTRA-listed event specifically! You just have to be an AUTRA member for the 2025 year. Also too, if you’ve run in a non-AUTRA listed event anywhere on home soil or internationally, we’d love to include your race results and experience in our Member Updates, so please do reach out to us via email to kate.dzienis@autra.asn.au If any corrections need to be made in any of the results listed below, please alert me via email.
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