GET TO KNOW YOUR 24HR ASIA & OCEANIA CHAMPIONSHIPS TEAM – MICK THWAITES

Kate Dzienis • November 27, 2018

QUEENSLANDER MICK THWAITES HAS A KNACK FOR MAKING A NAME FOR HIMSELF WHEN IT COMES TO ULTRA RUNNING, BUT YOU WOULDN’T HAVE GUESSED THAT THE 44-YEAR-OLD FROM BANYO ONLY STARTED THE SPORT BACK IN 2012 AS A MEANS TO GET MORE FIT AND LOSE WEIGHT.

“Running for me also acted as a medicine for mental and physical illness,” he reveals.

“And then as I progressed from my first half marathon through to marathon distance, I found that the challenge of seeing how far I could go and push myself was actually feeding a desire.

“I was not only becoming more fit, but I’d found that I had a good engine for endurance so it was natural for me to progress through to ultra distances of 50k, 100k, 100mi and then the 24hr races.”

Thwaites has been a part of the last two 24hr World Championship teams and successfully managed himself a PB of 247.9kms. His qualification for the 24hr Asia & Oceania Championships Australian team was due to his 24hr distance of 228kms achieved at the 2017 Canberra 48hr race.

While Thwaites’ interest in the 24-hour distance stems from a mindset of pure running for both the body and the mind, his secret to maintaining good mileage for a 24-hour race is speed work.

“My current training is not far from a typical marathon program, with a bit of variety on my long runs,” he reveals.

“Speed work is still a key to these events, as well as toughening up the body for constant loops on a track.”

Having much experience being on Australian teams in the past, Thwaites is still modest when it comes to getting that phone call that he’s made the cut.

“It’s always humbling and exciting to represent your country and fellow runners,” he says.

“I was very pleased to be selected as a part of this particular team because the depth of runners and their qualifying distances are some of the highest ever.

“All I can say to the ultra community out there is never give up on your dreams or goals, and be patient.

“Only control what you can, and let the rest take care of itself.

“And always run happy.”

Thwaites will be racing alongside his Australian team mates at the 2018 IAU 24hr Asia and Oceania Championships in Chinese Taipei the weekend of December 1-2.

Pictured: Mick Thwaites at the 2018 EMU 6 Day race in Hungary, where he claimed first place following a successful 837.605kms. Photograph – Silvia Oszi/Supplied.

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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 due to the remote and higher‑risk nature of the trails. AUTRA was aware that in‑person briefings were used and had not raised concerns about that general approach. The organiser has indicated that this requirement is driven by safety, duty‑of‑care and insurance obligations, and follows previous experience where remote or online briefings resulted in athletes starting events without critical safety information. The organiser maintains that the event was not conducted in a manner that was intended to be non‑inclusive, inflexible or discriminatory, and that decisions made on the day were based solely on safety requirements that apply equally to all participants. AUTRA’s aim in issuing this statement is solely to clarify the context and ensure that the public record reflects the information provided to us by the organiser.