Spotlight On: Peter Scott

Kate Dzienis • October 30, 2023

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

Name: Peter Scott
Age: 58
Location: Riverview, NSW

FAVOURITE RACING OR RUNNING DISTANCE

100 kays on the trail. I have run a one hundred kay race (TNF/UTA in the Blue Mountains) every five years since 2012. Long enough and hard enough to be a real test, this race has never failed to test my limits, challenge all that I am as a trail runner and deliver a memorable experience for myself and my crew.

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

I trained for and ran a first road marathon in Perth, WA in the late 90s when I was looking for a challenge outside of work and something to keep me on the straight and narrow. Half a dozen years later I was introduced to the Six Foot Track by an old schoolmate and ran a first ultra there in 2006. That beat me up good and proper, so it was a few years before I came back for another, but my passion for the sport and connection to the ultra community has only grown ever since.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE ULTRA RUNNING EXPERIENCE SO FAR?

I finished UTMB this year (September 2023). Everything about this race was epic. The buzz of Chamonix and the undeniable thrill of standing on the same start line (albeit a little way back) as some of the world’s best trail runners. The personal step up from sub-14 hour hundred kay races to a 42 hour plus miler. The length of the days, the depths of the nights, the relentless ascents and torturous descents, the majesty of the alps, the passion of the fans and the love of my support crew. Even the frightened and squealing little marmot that I saw as a claw-baring, fang-gnashing, charging beast early one morning! What a phenomenal event.

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

Lucy Bartholomew. Listening to Lucy, I think she epitomises the spirit of trail running. I’d love to hold pace with her for a bit and soak up whatever came my way.

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

My wife and daughter are my Formula 1 support crew, so I rarely need or use dropbags. They, however, never leave home for the trails without cow-bells, a bucket of good cheer and an ever-ready kick up the bum.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE FILM OR BOOK ABOUT RUNNING?

The marketing team at Fremantle Press would sling me up if I didn’t mention my memoir, Running Deep: An Australian Submarine Life. True, it’s more a book about submarines than a running book, but the importance of running at different times through my life is a clear thread. What’s more, it’s full of stories of challenge and adversity, adventure and misadventure, connection and disconnection – and I figure that’s what many of us love about ultra running.

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

We took a nine day family holiday after the UTMB this year. Coastal, small town, no commitments, unlimited naps, healthy appetites, sunnies and colourful drinking shirts. It’s my new favourite big race recovery ritual.

WHAT’S YOUR DREAM RUN OR EVENT?

As I write, I have 600 days to run before I turn 60. I’m on the hunt for the race to celebrate. In the meantime, my dream run is the run I’m on!

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

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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