MILLUM CONQUERS GRUELLING FERAL PIG

MILLUM CONQUERS GRUELLING FERAL PIG

Kate Dzienis • December 12, 2018

Contributed by Jen Millum, 1st Female at Feral Pig Ultra (WA), 100 Mile

As I think back to the November 3 Feral Pig Ultra race (100 Miler), a sneaky tear pops out of my eye, because I’m hugely emotional and still physically drained even after almost one month.

The morning started with me losing my bib and race director Shaun Kaesler telling me to get off the bus and go find it!
Once all was organised and I’d found my bib, we kicked off the race at midnight, but it wasn’t long before I took a wrong turn at the 1km mark. It didn’t get any better either, as Perth’s weather decided to kick it up a notch and freak me out with thunder, lightning and pelting rain around the 20km mark.

It wasn’t until after sunrise that the race really began for me – yes, the race between myself and the bloody awesome ultra runner Beck Hefferon.

Coming into Brookton Highway she was hot on my tail and that’s how it was until the very end.

My pacers Chris and Jason kept me going, and they were just brilliant, keeping me positive and just staying with me.

I have to say, the sun and heat during the day was relentless.

I heard it got to about 35 degrees.

I remember at one point a volunteer at an aid station poured four buckets of icy water on my head, and Chris telling me that we couldn’t let Pam Mac (a friend running the 50km, which started later in the day) catch up to us.

Beck was somewhere behind me, always in the back of my mind, and it gave me the motivation to bloody climb up another ridiculous hill. I cried big tears as I ran into the Discovery Centre aid station (which doubled as the finish line following the last leg, which was an out-and-back) and asked myself, how was I going to do the last 36km?

Friends Mick, Val, Cheryle, Cyn, Michael and Jason were there, calming voices with gentle, firm hands on my chest. They re-filled my pack, which was just enough motivation for me to head back out and finish the last leg.
I was spent though! I had nothing left, nothing.

Pacer Jason and I got to the turnaround point at Jorgensen aid station, but it wasn’t there! I was so mad, so mad. Calling out with nobody answering, calling Shaun by which he just kept saying ‘go to the marquee’ but, eventually, we came across it.

Val and Mick told us Beck was just six minutes behind, and at that point I don’t know what happened but determination kicked up 50 notches and it was full steam ahead.

Jason and I just powered, soared, and grunted and I remember 700m from the end I tripped, but magically a hand grabbed my shirt and for a second I hovered horizontally to the ground.
I couldn’t believe it!

First female in 24hrs 31mins and a buckle.

What a tough race, and one I’ll truly never forget.

Pictured: Jen Millum racing head first into the WA Feral Pig Ultra 100 Miler on November 3. Photograph – Shannon Dale.

By Dave Martin March 14, 2026
AUTRA’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Wednesday 15 April 2026
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.
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IN OTHER NEWS

By Dave Martin March 14, 2026
AUTRA’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Wednesday 15 April 2026
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.
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