GET TO KNOW YOUR 24HR ASIA & OCEANIA CHAMPIONSHIPS TEAM – STEPHEN REDFERN

Kate Dzienis • November 28, 2018

FORTY-SIX YEAR OLD STEPHEN REDFERN JUMPED INTO ULTRA RUNNING FAIRLY QUICKLY, HAVING STARTED (AS IT WOULD WITH HUNDREDS OF OTHER PEOPLE) WITH THE AIM OF COMPLETING HIS FIRST HALF MARATHON JUST OVER FOUR YEARS AGO.

Amazingly, he reached that goal four to six months after starting the sport, and it was after the Sydney Marathon that a good friend of his convinced him to enter his first 100k – the Hume & Hovell 100.

“It was terrifying, especially considering I hadn’t run over 42.2k at that point,” he recalls.

“But it was enjoyable, and from there is where my ultra journey began, because on the drive home we hatched a plan to enter our first miler in another five weeks – the Alpine Challenge.

“I ran it just nine months after I started running.”

You heard right – ‘nine months after I started running’!

“It was surprising that once over the 100k mark, I just completely enjoyed it from that point on to the end of the race, which ended up taking me 36-hours to complete,” he says.

“To date, it’s my longest time in a race.”

Since then, Sydney’s own Redfern has delved into all things milers and more, revealing he thoroughly enjoys a variety of ultra running’s aspects – whether it be a fast 100 mile trail race, a serious mountainous trail miler with incredulous elevation, or a timed 24-hour track race.

For Redfern, these are the places he can test his abilities to mentally strategise tackling the events and achieving goals he has set himself, and just recently gave a fast 100k road race a go where he claims the approach is completely different.

The qualifying race that saw him gain entry as part of the Aussie team for the 2018 IAU 24hr Asia & Oceania Championships was the 2018 Sri Chinmoy 24hr where he achieved a 25k PB and reached a final distance of 245kms.

“It was my fifth 24hr event, and my third Sri Chinmoy 24hr, for which at my first race back in 2016 I’d decided I’d like to see if a qualifying distance could be possible,” he explains.

“Surprisingly, I faired quite well despite the distance, and decided that there was still room to improve.”

Redfern’s motivation stems from the exhilaration of racing against himself and against the clock to achieve specific goals.

“I love how the more you run them (24hr events), the more you become experienced in how to tackle the events, and that is forever evolving when it comes to your set up or preparation,” he says.

“The great people and runners I’ve met on the track are also just so inspiring, and surprisingly have become great mentors to me, helping me become the runner I am today.

“I feel I still have lots more to learn with my 24hr track running, but I’m thoroughly looking forward to reaching those achievements over the coming years.”

The IAU 24hr Asia & Oceania Championships in Chinese Taipei will be Redfern’s first time representing Australia, and to say he was especially ‘chuffed’ is an understatement.

“I was working up on an aircraft engine when I received the call that I’d made the team,” he recaps.

“Having only been running for just over four years, I was so chuffed that I’d been selected and thought worthy enough to be given a chance to run alongside a group of great runners and mentors for Australia.”

And if there’s a runner out there on the Aussie roads-trails-tracks who speaks volumes when it comes to inspiring others, it’s Redfern.

“No goal is too high or unachievable,” he reiterates.

“If there is something you have set for yourself or a goal you would like to achieve no matter what it is, then believe in yourself that you can achieve it.

“First and foremost, which I believe is the most fundamental advice that one can receive, is don’t ever stop enjoying what you are doing regardless of what goal may be – be it in your everyday training or your racing; this is the reason why we run ultras and enjoy them so much.”

Redfern 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 (feature): Stephen Redfern racing. Photograph – Supplied.

Pictured (above left) Stephen Redfern accepting his first place trophy at the 2018 Ned Kelly Chase 100k. Photograph – Ned Kelly Chase Facebook.

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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