NUTRITION TRIAL AT LIGHTHORSE WORKS A TREAT FOR HOOKER

Kate Dzienis • May 30, 2021

Contributed by Michael Hooker, AURA Member & 1st Male at Lighthorse Ultra 6hr

Lighthorse Ultra, 1-2 May 2021, Woodvale WA

In early May I ran in the Lighthorse Ultra event hosted by Ultra Series WA and held at Perry’s Paddock in Woodvale. The format for this event is to run a 2.5km loop continuously for the whole duration of whatever time allocation that you choose to enter. This can be for 1 hour, 3 hours, 6 hours, 12 hours or 24 hours. For me, I chose to enter the 6 hour category after sweet talking my coach Tony Smith into the idea of having a solid hit out, as I wanted to trial some different nutrition during event conditions in preparation for a future event that I have coming up on my run calendar.

I generally don’t repeat running events but I have a soft spot towards Lighthorse. The theme for it is held in remembrance of our fallen heroes of the past, and also our service men and women of today. My family has been represented by various members in both of these categories and the event honours all those who have served and sacrificed in national service for our country, enabling us to have the freedoms we live with today.

In preparation for Lighthorse I set myself a personal goal. This was to run 80km during the 6 hours, all while trialling some different nutrition and hydration tactics. I didn’t have an ideal lead up to the event the night before as I attended a good friend’s 40th birthday celebration, and I didn’t want to miss out on that. So despite only getting an hour and a half sleep, we arrived at Perry’s Paddock early Sunday morning around 5am, with clear skies, dew on the ground and the fresh feeling of a new day brewing. We set up camp with Sergio Gustinetti and his partner Jordanna Cassidy after pre organising to share a gazebo.

I was set up, and went through my final preparations and then gave some final instructions to my wife Tatiana who was crewing for me, as she always does. At 5:40am, the race brief began and following that a moving pre-dawn service, including a rendition of the last post by a bugler.

It was now 6am and time to start my run, the sun was still below the horizon and a head torch was needed, as were my gloves. After a countdown we were off on our first lap, both the 3 and 6 hour entrants. I began well, heading straight towards the front and quickly settled into my planned pace. I was joined at the front by Josh Chugg who had entered the 3 hour category and Ryan Willmot who had also entered the 6 hour. We paced around together for a few laps, chatting about our individual goals for the event, as well as nutrition and future goals and events. I really enjoyed the company and conversation, but it was short lived as our races drifted in different directions due to toilet breaks.

After about 5 laps I was now running solo which I’m accustomed to as most of my training is done that way. The laps ticked over swiftly and the sun was rising higher in the sky and with it the temperature also grew. It was time for a little wardrobe change and for my big Bunnings hat to come into play. The encouragement on course was amazing as always, not only from spectators but other runners on course. It’s something I truly love about Ultra Series WA events, the camaraderie of the tribe.

On lap 16, and just prior to the 40km mark of my run, my left calf decided to cramp up. This caused my stride to change and I found myself skipping and favouring my right leg. After the change of stride for about 10 metres the cramp disappeared and I was able to resume my usual stride and pace. A little further on that same lap another cramp and again with a skip or three, and a short distance it subsided. I got back to the main coral and asked Tatiana for an extra salt stick, thinking I must be needing it. I hit my first marathon distance in a time of 2:55:30 and apart from a few cramps was feeling great. I began thinking that my goal of 80km was almost a certainty and with a few calculations running over in my head, I was suddenly raising the bar mid race to 85km. I was able to maintain my pace and as the laps ticked over so did the cramping episodes.

Lap after lap I was having cramps kick in during each lap, almost every kilometre. I paused a few times over the next 3-4 laps and stretched my calves out on the small bridge handrail every time I came to cross it. This helped but only momentarily, I began asking for and taking more salt sticks as I passed my aid station, more than I had planned in my race plan spreadsheet.

Unfortunately, the cramping just continued, but I just persevered, and somehow managed to stay on pace for my revised distance goal. I reached close to 70km and with just over 1 hour to go my cramps were getting worse. I was still running well but struggling more. During that 28th lap, I came up behind Kevin ‘BK’ Matthews who recognised my footsteps and turned to acknowledge me as he had done a few times earlier in my run, so I slowed and asked him what he did for cramps. He told me to stop at his gazebo and see Rob Collins who would be there and as a professional masseuse, BK told me he’d be able to help with some magnesium spray and a quick massage. So this got me excited at the thought of possible relief.

As I approached the aid station coral, I saw Rob and stopped to ask for his assistance. He was quick to satisfy my plea for help. I quickly circled up and around the start line to complete that lap before returning to let Rob weave his magic on my cramping calf. With a few squirts of magnesium oil and some manipulation to my tight calf it began to relax ever so slightly. Moments later I was feeling better and off running again.

Half way around that next lap and feeling more free in my stride, I cramped once again. Not as bad as I had been prior to Rob’s massage though and moments later it eased. I pushed on thinking to myself just 4 more laps, and with just under 1 hour to go I should be able to reach my initial goal of 80km. I thought to myself that it was enough and began to settle, that I’d just take it really easy for whatever time remained after that. But then I began thinking about the theme of Lighthorse once again and suddenly I decided not to settle, so I pushed on.

I became more determined as my cramping had eased a little more. Once I reached the 32nd lap and 80km goal, I still had about 20 minutes to spare. So I thought to myself one more lap to reach 82.5km and then I’d collect my bean bag for my final lap and see how far I could get around before the siren sounded to end the 6 hours. I finished the 33rd lap and collected my bean bag with 10 minutes to go, slowing slightly and telling Tatiana as I passed her at my aid station that this was my final lap and that I’d see how far I could go before the siren sounded. I said that I was gonna take it a little slower and just cruise and that I did. As I ran that last lap I began getting excited about the idea of finishing and suddenly began feeling really hungry, the prospect of being able to eat some real food and refuel became so appealing that I began thinking about what I might like to eat. Suddenly the finish siren sounded and I dropped my bean bag and then stopped my Garmin. I was done, 6 hours and 84.37km covered. I was completely satisfied with not only what distance I’d achieved, but with what was to me a great event, and a successful nutrition trial, despite my cramping issues.

Special thank you to my bride for taking such great care of me as always. To my coach Tony Smith for always having me trained and in great race condition. To the race directors Wayne McMurtrie, Emma Luscombe and all those who volunteered their time and energy into making another successful event for everyone in the Ultra Series WA tribe. To Sergio and Jordanna for letting us set up camp with them for the event, and for the many laughs and larrikin moments on course. To Shane Johnstone at Valetudo Health, who assisted me with a last minute call for help to alleviate some sudden race week hip soreness, and Rob for the mid race massage.

Last but certainly not least, to all the other runners who participated in the event, congratulations to you all and thank you to all those who yelled out words of encouragement to me during my run, those little words of encouragement really do make a difference.

Pictured: Michael Hooker making another lap at the 2021 Lighthorse Ultra. Photograph – Shannon Dale.

Pictured (Inset): Michael Hooker racing his 6hr at the 2021 Lighthorse Ultra. Photograph – Andrew Yeatman.

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AUTRA Race Report 23-3-2026

By Kate Dzienis • March 23, 2026

Herdy's Frontyard Ultra, WA Gold Coast Backyard Ultra, Qld I'm Still Standing Sydney, NSW Trail Run Australia - Tathra, NSW Sri Chinmoy 48hr Track Ultra (Australian 48hr Track Championships, ACT Washpool World Heritage Trails, NSW Tamworth Trailblazer, NSW Upcoming Events WEEKLY NEWS REPORT FOR 23-3-2026 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 2026 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.

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.