2022 AURA AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Kate Dzienis • April 30, 2023

AURA is pleased to announce the winners of the 2022 AURA Awards.

AUSTRALIAN FEMALE ULTRA RUNNER OF THE YEAR

For outstanding single or collective performances by a female.

Allicia Heron, from the ACT, really gave it her all in 2022 and had an outstanding year, in particular for her performance and win at the 2022 Sri Chinmoy 48 Hour Track Festival where she secured a new 48hr Age Group Record with 329.392km.

Not only that, but Allicia secured herself 3rd Female at the IAU 24 Hour Asia and Oceania Championships, 3rd Female at the 2022 Sri Chinmoy Canberra Trail 100km and 2nd Female at the 2022 Coast to Kosci Ultra finishing 222km in 32:33:33.

Congratulations Allicia on a fantastic 2022!

AUSTRALIAN MALE ULTRA RUNNER OF THE YEAR

For outstanding single or collective performances by a male.

Phil Gore, from WA, overall had an incredibly outstanding year in 2022. He ran 7 ultra events, and took 1st Male in every single one of them – Lark Hill 50km Dusk to Dawn, Herdy’s Frontyard LOS, Lighthorse Ultra 12hr, Australian 24 Hour Track Invitational, Birdy’s Backyard LOS and the WTF 50km.

It wasn’t until the end of the year, in October 2022, that Phil set the world on fire even more. He raced at Big Dog’s Backyard World Championships (aka Satellite Backyard) where no less than 37 countries raced in a last one standing event, in a simultaneous backyard ultra on home soil. Australia’s championships were held in Qld, and Phil – along with his team mates – helped Australia take 3rd Place after he ran 76 loops (76hrs).

An amazing 2022 for Phil, and we’re sure we haven’t seen the best of him yet! Congratulations!

BRYAN SMITH AWARD

For the greatest single best ultra running achievement by a male under the age of 60.

Dion Finocchiaro from Vic has been awarded the Bryan Smith Award for his outstanding performance at the 2022 100km Sydney International, where he won 1st Male in an incredible time of 6:30:43.

Along with the performance, Dion also achieved other great performances throughout the year with aa win at the Warburton Trail Fest Lumberjack Ultra 50km and incredible races at the 24hr Coburg Harriers Carnival, 100km Berlin Bernau IAU WC, and Ultra-Trail Kosciusko by UTMB.

Congratulations Dion on such a great performance!

HELEN STANGER AWARD

For the greatest single best ultra running achievement by a female under the age of 60.

Margaret Hadley from WA has, for a second time, taken out the Helen Stranger Award, this time for her performance at Big Dog’s Backyard World Championships (aka Satellite Backyard) where she claimed Last Woman Standing and secured a new Female backyard record of 47 hours (loops).

Stellar effort Margie, congratulations!

YOUNG FEMALE ULTRA RUNNER OF THE YEAR

For outstanding single or collective performances by a female under the age of 30.

Cassie Cohen from the ACT has been awarded the Young Female Ultra Runner of the Year award for 2022, representing the incredible athleticism and passion younger endurance runners have in the community. Last year, Cassie took Silver at the IAU 24 Hour Asia and Oceania Championships in India where she finished with a total of 214.590km.

Congratulations Cassie! No doubt you have much more up your sleeves in years to come!

YOUNG MALE ULTRA RUNNER OF THE YEAR

For outstanding single or collective performances by a male under the age of 30.

Thomas Dade from Vic, has made waves entering the ultra running community in very recent years. One of his most impressive performances in 2022 was in the Down Under 135 where he not only finished 1st Male in 2d 05:07:53 – but he was also the sole finisher in one of the country’s most gruelling ultra races.

Along with Tom’s win at DU135, he made many 2022 appearances on the podium, taking 1st Placings at Buffalo Stampede (Grand Slam), Unreasonable East 200mi, You Yangs 100mi, Roller Coaster Run 46km and the Great Southern Endurance Run 50mi. He also has given himself experiences at Alpine Challenge 100mi (3rd), Surf Coast Century 100km (4th), and the Coast to Kosci Ultra 222km (20th). Tom was also selected to race at the 2022 Long Trail World Mountain & Trail Running Championships in the 78km event.

You have a bright future ahead of you Tom in ultra running, congratulations on your achievements!

CLIFF YOUNG AWARD

For the greatest single best ultra running achievement by a male over the age of 60.

Greg Wilson from Vic is well known in the ultra running community, and what a year he had in 2022! Greg was awarded the Cliff Young Award in particular for his performance at the 2022 Australian 24 Hour Track Invitational where he broke no less than 6 Age Group records! He took the 24hr event with gusto, cracking 170.395km and taking 2nd Male (M70 1st Male).

We couldn’t be more proud of you Greg! Congratulations on your achievement!

SHIRLEY YOUNG AWARD

For the greatest single best ultra running achievement by a female over the age of 60.

Marie Boyd might be an Aussie living in the US, but she’s a very active ultra runner who loves her multiday events! Marie impressed everyone with her performance at the 2022 3 Days At The Fair 6 Days Race (Bishop, California, USA) where she took 5th Female after completing a total distance of 413.601km.

Marie never ceases to amaze those around her, congratulations on your win!

ULTRA PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR AWARD

Nominated by and voted on by the AURA members.

Phil Gore for his stellar performance at Big Dog’s Backyard World Championships (aka Satellite Backyard) in October 2022!

This year, Phil walks away with two awards, the Male Ultra Runner of the Year award as well as the people’s choice Ultra Performance of the Year.

Congratulations Phil on taking out the Performance of the Year award as voted by your peers.

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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