SPOTLIGHT ON: BERNADETTE BENSON

Kate Dzienis • July 19, 2023

Introducing our monthly feature Spotlight On, where our AURA members get to know a little bit about some other AURA members!

Name: Bernadette Benson
Age: 54
Location: Wandiligong, Victoria

FAVOURITE RACING OR RUNNING DISTANCE

The last few years I’ve been leaning towards the ‘shorter’ races, whether road or trail, that are done within about 8-9 hours, as I enjoy the quicker recovery so I can be back playing on the trails again sooner.

WHAT’S THE STORY BEHIND YOU GETTING INTO ULTRA RUNNING?

I stumbled upon trail runners around 2006 after I’d been running roads for 5 or 6 years in order to try to earn my beer and chips credits. I had no idea running could be fun or that people could survive – let alone enjoy – running more than 90 minutes at a time. I nearly puked trying to keep up with others on that first trail run, and I was sore as heck afterwards, but I was hooked!

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE ULTRA RUNNING EXPERIENCE SO FAR?

That’s an impossible question for me to answer succinctly. I loved some of my first races simply because it was all such a wild, new, unknown experience for me. My first trail races in Europe and my first 24hr, for example. I love the beauty of the Matterhorn Ultraks course in Switzerland. I love the long distance point-to-point nature of the Transalpine Run multi-day trail race. That one has always been a team event until this year – now that there’s a solo category, I want to go back to experience that version as well.

IF YOU WOULD WANT ANYONE IN THE WORLD TO PACE YOU AT AN EVENT, WHO WOULD IT BE?

If my partner ran at my pace, I’d love him to pace me because he knows me so well. I appreciate his wit and calm, rational nature. I would love to have the chance to run some miles with Ann Trason and have her share her wisdom and stories. She’s a legend and a pioneer in the sport.

WHAT ARE 3 THINGS WE WOULD ALWAYS FIND IN YOUR DROPBAG?

2Toms SportShield, fuel by Hammer Nutrition, sunscreen. I try to race efficiently.

RECOVERY IS IMPORTANT – WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE OR BEST POST-WORKOUT/RECOVERY STRETCH OR EXERCISE?

Most critical to me is to get my protein/carb replenishment right after a long run (I use Hammer’s vegan Recoverite). I also invested in compression boots this year and they’ve become a regular part of big days, especially. And sleep! Sleep might be my most favourite of all.

WHAT’S YOUR DREAM RUN OR EVENT?

I am really interested in doing one of Lizzy Hawker’s high altitude multi-day semi-supported runs in Nepal. Wild, big, high, minimal, quiet. Those things appeal to me. The Lapland Arctic Ultra also appeals for similar reasons.

All images supplied.

If you would like to be featured in our Spotlight On segment, email ultramag@aura.asn.au with your interest!

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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.