GET TO KNOW YOUR 24HR ASIA & OCEANIA CHAMPIONSHIPS TEAM – SHARON SCHOLZ

Kate Dzienis • November 30, 2018

FROM AN EARLY CHILDHOOD, SHARON SCHOLZ HAD AN INTEREST IN SPORT. SHE RODE HORSES AND COMPETED IN DRESSAGE AND ONE-DAY EVENTS FOLLOWING IN HER PARENTS’ FOOTSTEPS IN THE HORSE INDUSTRY. SCHOLZ ALSO WENT ON TO PLAY NETBALL IN EARLY HIGH SCHOOL AND OCCASIONALLY COMPETED IN SOCIAL NETBALL AND VOLLEYBALL COMPETITIONS THROUGHOUT HER LATE TEENS AND EARLY 20S.

But it wasn’t until 2006 that Scholz, along with husband Justin, decided to change her lifestyle to reduce stress and improve fitness, health and overall well-being, so in 2007 the couple each took their first steps as runners and they haven’t looked back since.

By the end of that year, Scholz had lost a significant amount of amount and had completed her first marathon. Whilst her time of 3:38 may not have been world beating, it was a brilliant achievement after having just put her running shoes on for the first time 10-months prior.

Scholz saw improvement after improvement, and entered her first track ultra in 2008, the 12hr Coburg in Melbourne, Vic. Not only did she complete it, but with encouragement from her partner, she went on to complete the 24-hour event which was being undertaken at the same time, and managed the then 7th best ever track distance by an Australian woman.

At this stage, there was definitely a natural talent creeping out of this Aussie long distance athlete.

Her experience includes the 2009 Caboolture ultra event, where Sholz was asked by the Australian 24hr team selectors to prove her fitness, and she did this successfully by running a slow 100kms off a very limited base. The Wangaratta resident was selected in the Australian Commonwealth Championships 24hr team and just five weeks later at the Commonwealth Championships in the UK, Scholz ran 195kms to finish 3rd best of the six Aussie women and 8th overall.

The Australian team was awarded a silver medal for their combined distance behind gold medal winners England.

In April 2010 Scholz gained selection again for the World Championships and left for France in April 2010 with high expectations. Those expectations were exceeded however when she finished the race 6th outright female and 1st placed Australian woman smashing the Australian Road Course Record by nearly 20km.

Later that same year, she competed in the 48hr Australian Championships, and despite it being her first 48-hour event, Scholz broke the Female Australian Record with a final tally just over 333km.

In December 2010 she ran in the 240km event Coast to Kosciuszko and broke the Women’s Race Record.

It’s truly not surprising that this ultra running rocket landed her the title of Australian Female Ultra Athlete of the Year as well as World Female Athlete of the Year (IAU).

Her list of achievements continued, despite 2011 not going to plan due to injuries and health issues. Scholz won the NZ 100kms Championships, broke three major track records (12hr, 150kms and 100mi) in Brisbane, and finished 3rd Female at the Coast to Kosciuszko.

The 100mi record she broke in Brisbane saw her become the first Australian female to break 16 hours for this milestone and in that race she broke records earlier established by, arguably, Australia’s three best ever female ultra-runners in Mary Morgan, Helen Stanger and Margaret Smith.

Smith’s 100mi record had stood since 1984.

She has since been again on the 24hr World Championships team for 2012 in Poland, completed Coast to Kosciuszko for the third time, and broke 12 records in 2013 during the 24hr event in Sydney as a walker following a distance of more than 187kms. It was the 3rd best ever distance walked in 24-hours in Australia.

It was also at that event that Scholz and her husband became the first married couple in history (worldwide) to have run 200kms+ and walked 100mi+ in 24 hours in the same calendar year.

“Every ultra event is an individual feat,” she says.

“We’re not competing directly against a specific person, yet we are also surrounded by camaraderie and the passion of others taking on the same challenge.

“Each runner is often surrounded by supporters and/or crew helping us achieve our best outcome for the day.

“What’s not to love about this sport?”

This weekend’s IAU 24hr Asia & Oceania Championships in Chinese Taipei will be Scholz’s 10th selection and 9th participation, and despite her incredibly impressive resume, she still gets those butterflies in her stomach.

“It was nervous excitement when I got the call that I’d made the 2018 team,” she reveals.

“I thought I should be over that feeling of anticipation, but it really never goes.”

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

Pictured: Sharon Scholz. Photographs – Supplied.

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AUTRA News Report 11-09-2025

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.

Team Manager 2025 IAU Asian and Oceania 100K Championships

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