PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Kate Dzienis • April 26, 2018
Earlier in April, AURA held it’s AGM in Perth, with a good group of members participating electronically from the eastern states. I had the opportunity to highlight some of the Association’s achievements for 2017, these included:
- The Association comprised 475 members in December 2017, approximately a 20% increase on 2016.
- There were 58 events listed on AURA’s calendar of events.
- Australian teams participated in IAU World Championships, representing Australia proudly at both the Trail event held in Italy in June and the 24-hour event in Belfast Northern Ireland in July.
- A research study was undertaken of AURA members, race organisers, elite athletes and the wider Australian ultra running community on wide ranging matters that will assist the Association with determining future initiatives.
- Sub Committees were formed in October to develop strategy recommendations addressing:
- awareness and interest
- equity
- membership acquisition and membership value propositions
- assistance and support for event organisers
- funding
- elite performance
A comprehensive strategic blueprint for AURA will be finalised from these contributions during 2018.
- A review was conducted of AURA’s event listing process by Andy Hewat, Kerrie Bremner and Greg Robinson. Significant changes in processes were recommended and implemented. An event Safety Standard document is currently being developed and hoped to be implemented in 2018.
- After consultation with AURA members a decision was reached to move the UltraMag magazine from a hard copy printed publication to one available online. The savings in printing costs helped fund the appointment of a contracted marketing officer.
- Discussions were initiated with Athletics Australia to formalise a relationship. A memorandum of understanding is currently being developed and will be implemented in 2018.
- A new website was developed and implemented, providing more of a focus on news both from AURA and ultra running as a sport. Access to some content was restricted to financial members only. As well as this, an online results system integrated with DUV was made live.
Elections were held for office bearers of the Association, and AURA’s new committee for 2018 is:
President: Rob Donkersloot
Vice President: Alexis Oosterhoff
Secretary: Pam Muston
Treasurer: Ness Hartge
State representatives were also appointed:
Qld: Susannah Harvey-Jamieson
NSW: Luke Mulley and Lou Clifton
Vic: Nikki Wynd
SA: Chris Glacks
WA: David Kennedy
AURA would like to thank outgoing committee members Elizabeth Bennett and Jodie C Oborne for their terrific contribution to the committee and to AURA for the last year. A profile on Elizabeth Bennett has been included in this edition of UltraMag to showcase her significant contribution over many years to AURA and to ultra running. I thank Liz on behalf of all AURA members.
AUTRA’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Wednesday 15 April 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.
Results for 2026 Lark Hill Party Ultra, Belair Marathon, Mirrim Wurnit Back Paddock Ultra, and Coombabah Trail Run.
Carrying that mandatory gear
James Sieber explains how a training plan only works when it matches the person.
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IN OTHER NEWS
AUTRA’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Wednesday 15 April 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.
Results for 2026 Lark Hill Party Ultra, Belair Marathon, Mirrim Wurnit Back Paddock Ultra, and Coombabah Trail Run.
