SAY HELLO TO YOUR NEW AURA TREASURER, SIMONE HAYES

Kate Dzienis • May 28, 2020

Simone Hayes, NSW Treasurer

Photo By: John Doe

With decades of experience behind her, Simone Hayes lives and breathes the sport of ultra running, having represented Australia at previous World Championships and being a podium finisher in numerous events.

Simone has put her hand up to represent AURA as its new Treasurer after being elected by members at the April 28 AGM, and has expressed great enthusiasm to help promote ultra running and our community.

“I had been chatting with Rob Donkersloot (previous president) as he had been looking for volunteers to put their hands up to be on the committee, so it all started there,” she said.

“What’s fantastic about our new committee (Ewan Horsburgh, Matthew Eckford and Julia Mackay-Koelen) is that we’re all very current runners so we’re quite active and engrained in the sport; personally, I work within the industry as a running coach and personal training, so I’m invested in all of it as a whole.

“I would love to see AURA grow even more than what it has over the past few years; the last decade has seen an incredible surge in ultra running and I’d love to see more of those people entering long distance races become members of AURA – as well as getting more race directors on board.”

Simone said her favourite thing about ultra running was the social aspect of the sport.

“I’ve just met so many people in this community, and sure I love competing and being serious about it, but I’ve made an incredible amount of friends and ultra running, because of that, is now very dear to my heart,” she explained.

She has been running for the past 20 years and recalls starting it with a bit of a dislike, but she has since grown to find a real passion especially since increasing her mileages and being an Australian representative in World Championships.

“I’ve never actually done a road marathon – never have, never will I don’t think. I went from half marathons to doing 100 kilometres (the North Face in 2011)…and oh, I hated it,” she laughs.

“But a week later I started training for another ultra, and now I absolutely love 100 milers even though my favourite is the 100 kilometre distance. In terms of my favourite event, it’s hard to top Worlds – that’s for sure.”

To reach out to Simone you can email her at treasurer@aura.asn.au

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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.