RUN, PLAY WILDER AND WIN A COPY OF THE TRAIL RUNNING GUIDEBOOK

Kate Dzienis • January 28, 2019

Review by Kate Dzienis

The Trail Running Guidebook provides athletes of all abilities a safe pathway of preparation to their chosen adventures.

Author Hanny Allston is an elite Australian trail runner who holds numerous race records, including 1st Female at Ultra-Trail Australia 50km (2016) with a time of 5:08:15 and 2nd Female at Ultra-Trail Australia 100km (2017) in 11:12:00. She holds a record for the 2015 Six Foot Track Marathon (3:34:50) among other numerous representations, and provides her knowledge to both elite and recreational athletes.

In her latest book Allston’s personal coaching methodologies focus on sustainable, long-term health, training and performance successes. What is most interesting however is her opinion that the pathway to her performance requires a fundamental belief in who she is as a person, making sure she asks the question, ‘Who am I when I’m not an athlete or out running?’.

Allston also discusses the importance of having a desire to have fun whilst out running, where taking out the influence of others and not letting ‘Fear of Missing Out’ guide your decisions. And where ‘playing wilder’ comes in to effect is about the love for the sport being vital to longevity and optimising your abilities.

The Trail Running Guidebook reveals the three secrets to success, how to build your foundations, what ‘training smarter’ actually means, and tips on how to physically and mentally prepare for those races where you need to travel a fair distance via plane.

Key chapters that I found of personal interest included one on older runners and another on nutrition, where three classifications of athlete were identified from her own personal substantial observations during races. It’s a lot of information punched into a 138-page book, but her unique model of Wave Training allows runners an opportunity for better recovery, self-reflection and playfulness.

Allston has experienced the elation of success but also the pitfalls of striving too far for performance, and it’s from this honest place that she has written The Trail Running Guidebook.

Rating: 4 out of 5

RRP: $24.95

AURA together with Hanny Allston is giving away a copy of The Trail Running Guidebook to one lucky AURA member. If you would like to be in the running, simply email ultramag@aura.asn.au with subject heading ‘Perform Wilder’ and in the body of your email include your full name, postal address and phone number.
*Entries must be received by February 28.
*Entrants must be a current AURA member.

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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.