President’s Report: Simone Hayes for January 2024

Simone Hayes • January 29, 2024

Time for a new start in 2024!

Happy New Year to all our members and volunteers!

We trust you all had a safe and happy break over the festive season and of course managed to clock up some fun social kilometres with your tribe. It’s a great time of year to kick back, eat too much (aka carb load) and catch up with friends for that run that doesn’t include a hill rep.

But now the break is over for most, I’m sure our attention is back on the running calendar for 2024! If you have looked at the current list of AURA events that should be enough to get you salivating and planning your year, and we have more events being added each month so keep an eye on it. Remember that as a member, each AURA listed race you run earns you points towards the Annual Points Competition where you can be eligible for big cash prizes. Cash = new running shoes!

Now that I mention that, a big congratulations to the top 10 in the points comp for 2023!

1. Geoffrey Langhans – 113
2. Phil Gore – 90
3. Grant Brisbin – 58
4. Jessica Smith – 51
5. Joshua Duff – 49
6. Michael Hooker – 47
7. Harmony Waite – 47
8. Matthew Griggs – 47
9. Greg Wilson – 45
10. Anna Pillinger - 45

This month we held selections for the team that will represent Australia in the upcoming 24 Hour Asian Oceania Championships and it gives me great pleasure to congratulate all the runners that have been selected.

We have an amazing opportunity to host a championships in our own country so to be able to compete here as well is a true privilege and honour, and we wish them all the best in their preparations. We hope many of you will make the pilgrimage to Canberra that weekend wearing your green and gold to show your support for this amazing team. So save the date – 6-7 April at the AIS is where the action is at!

And don’t forget that there will also be the Open race alongside of the champs which is also host to the 24 Hour Australian National Championships for 2024.

This month we also held nominations and voting for the 2023 Performance of the Year Awards. This is a member voted award and highlights the most outstanding performance or milestone in 2023. Check your emails as we’ve sent the full list of those who have been nominated with details on why they have been nominated – Maree Connor, Grant Brisbin, John Yoon, Michael Hooker and Margie Hadley.

Next month we will start the process for the AURA annual awards.

Our Coaches Corner is filling up with fantastic and informative articles from our AURA Endorsed Coaches, with new articles appearing each month and they are full of great advice to help you achieve your goals and improve your running. We can never learn too much so members, please enjoy these resources and I hope you find something there that inspires you or helps you on your running journey. Our coaches are there to help so make sure you reach out – they also offer an AURA discounts to members if you wish to pursue personal coaching. You can find the link to their information here.

Don’t forget to check out the Podcast Library on the new website to carry you along on your next run and also check out the Gear Reviews for your next shopping spree.

That’s all from me for January and I look forward to a positive and productive 2024 with you all. The Committee have so many plans for AURA to take us into the next decade and beyond and we welcome any feedback or suggestions you may have, just send to president@aura.asn.au.

Simone Hayes

AURA President

Images: Supplied

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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