President's Report (MAR 2026)

MARCH 2026

As we move into autumn, AUTRA’s focus is firmly on the upcoming AGM and the chance it brings for renewal and fresh ideas. Over the next few days we’ll be finalising the annual report, year‑end financials and formal AGM notice, and these will be shared via the AUTRA website and email once ready. I’d encourage every member to take a few minutes to read those documents and to think seriously about how you can contribute, whether that’s nominating for a Committee role, serving on a subcommittee, or simply engaging thoughtfully with the AGM business.

We are especially keen to see more members step into governance, selection, events and communications roles. Skills in administration, finance, media, digital, event management and athlete representation are all valuable, but just as important is a calm head and a genuine desire to support the sport. If you’ve ever thought “someone should fix that” in Australian ultra or trail running, this AGM is your opportunity to be that someone.

On the racing front, the last month has already seen strong early‑season performances by Australian ultrarunners. Yaberoo Trail Ultra in Joondalup, WA, returned on 14–15 February with 89 finishers in the 50 km and hundreds more across the shorter distances, highlighting the depth of participation on the west coast. Internationally, Tarawera by UTMB in New Zealand once again delivered world‑class racing in February, with Ruth Croft and Daniel Jones taking the wins in the 102 km and reinforcing the strength of trans‑Tasman trail competition. Globally, the early March “This Week in Running” and ultra‑weekend recaps have been full of big‑name performances, including Jonathan Albon’s 12:58 win at a World Trail Majors event and strong fields across US ultras and Skyrunner races, underlining how competitive the international scene remains.

For AUTRA, these results are a reminder of why our work matters: from local twilight ultras to World Trail Majors, Australian athletes are part of a truly global community. Our job as a national association is to provide solid governance, fair and transparent selection processes, and practical support for event organisers and volunteers, so that when our runners toe the line, at home or overseas, they can focus on performance knowing the structures behind them are sound.

Thank you to everyone who has given their time in recent weeks: Committee members working through a heavy governance agenda, selection and records volunteers, race directors and crews delivering events in tough summer conditions, and the athletes who continue to represent our community with grit and humility. I look forward to seeing many of you at the AGM.

DAVID MARTIN

ACTING PResident, AUTRA

ON BEHALF OF THE AUTRA COMMITTEE