Weekly News Report 26-04-2024

iau 24hr asia & oceania championships (act)

There were 3-events-in-one for the following race/s, so we’ll separate them for simplicity and accuracy. The 2024 IAU 24hr Asia & Oceania Championships were held the weekend of 6-7 April 2024 at the AIS in Canberra, ACT with a chosen team of Aussies. These championships were also held at the same time alongside the Australian 24hr Track Invitational, which was also hosting the Australian 24hr National Championships (which are open to everyone wanting to participate, members and non-members alike).

The IAU event was Australia’s first time hosting a Championship.

It started with a downpour of rain, but the weather soon improved and set the stage for a fiercely competitive race. The individual winners in the men’s and women’s categories, Amar Singh Devanda from India and Cassie Cohen representing Australia, displayed exceptional prowess and determination, setting the tone for an exhilarating competition.

In the Men’s competition, it was Amar Singh Devanda from India, our own Phil Gore from Australia, and Ullas Narayana from India who seized an early lead and maintained their positions throughout the race.

Meanwhile, in the Women’s competition, Carol Robertson from New Zealand initially led the race, accompanied by Maree Connor and Cassie Cohen, both from Australia. Ultimately, Cassie, Maree and Jennifer White, all from Australia, secured their places on the podium.

Men’s Top 6:

1. Amar Singh Devanda (IND) - 272.537 km
2. Phil Gore (AUS) - 265.653 km
3. Ullas Narayana (IND) - 245.574 km
4. Saurav Ranjan (IND) - 240.137 km
5. Luke Thompson (AUS) - 231.753 km
6. John Bayne (NZL) - 229.447 km

Women’s Top 6:

1. Cassie Cohen (AUS) - 227.803 km
2. Maree Connor (AUS) - 221.347 km
3. Jennifer White (AUS) - 217.430 km
4. Shannon Leigh-Litt (NZL) - 213.609 km
5. Carol Robertson (NZL) - 209.642 km
6. Allicia Heron (AUS) - 203.531 km

Men’s Team Standings:

1. India - 758.248 km
2. Australia - 719.560 km
3. New Zealand - 636.679 km

Women’s Team Standings

1. Australia - 666.580 km
2. New Zealand - 568.401 km
3. Chinese Taipei - 551.686 km

Congratulations to each and every one of our AURA members who represented the Green and Gold:

Men (25 competitors):

2^nd Phil Gore (265.653km)
5^th  Luke Thompson (231.753km)
8^th John Yoon (222.154km)
12^th Matthew Griggs (204.850km)
16^th Michael Hooker (187.649km)
21^st Grant Brisbin (172.848km)

Women (20 competitors)

1^st Cassie Cohen (227.803km)
2^nd Maree Connor (217.430km)
3^rd Jennifer White (217.430km)
6^th Allicia Heron (203.531km)

Full list of results can be found here.

above images supplied by IAU

AUSTRALIAN 24HR TRACK INVITATIONAL / NATIONAL 24HR CHAMPIONSHIPS) (ACT)

Held 6-7 April 2024, the Australian 24hr Invitational and Australian 24hr National Championships took place at the same time and the same location at the IAU event above.

Please note, as explained on the Australian 24hr Track Invitational Facebook page by race director Matthew Eckford, that due to a technical fault in the timing system that occurred at 3am (the daylight savings change-over time), lap recording and live results displayed in the Australian 24hr Championships race thereafter were not 100% accurate. A full explanation can be found on the FB page.

Results below are according to the best efforts by Matthew and his team, who have worked tirelessly to get the best provisional results possible.

A reminder also that winners of the Championships – podium positions in both the Men’s and Women’s divisions – do not need to be financial AURA members. They simply need to win 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd to be recognised as Championship winners by AURA).

In the Women’s 24hr event (championships), AURA’s very own Holly Ranson from Renmark (SA) took home the top spot following a fantastic 545 laps to secure a total of 238.546km. Second Female went to AURA’s Corrina Black from Mermaid Beach (Qld) who finished with 518 laps and a total of 226.958km, whilst AURA member Liv Compton from Cannonvale (Qld) claimed 3^rd following 460 laps and a total of 201.533km.

In the Men’s 24hr event (championships), 1^st Male went to Blaine Bourke (235.704km), a non-AURA member. AURA’s Joe Ward from Manly (NSW) won 2^nd Male after 486 laps and a total of 212.975km, whilst AURA member Adam Keighran from Helensburgh (NSW) took home 3^rd Male with 453 laps and 198.536km.

Congratulations to everyone who ran in the Invitational/Championships, including Kath Judge (189.768km), Margie Hadley (182.520km), Bernadette Benson (161.510km), Jason Richard (172.509km), Stephen Bowers (170.816km), John Walsh (162.386km), Rick Wales (114.482km), Greg Wilson (108.549km), Steve Appleby (100.670km), Clay Dawson (100.670km), Ken Marsh (100.670km), Mark Avery (94.543km) and Kevin Muller (75.721km).

Above Image supplied

Lithgow Ridgy Didge Trail Run Festival (NSW)

The Lithgow Ridgy Didge Trail Run Festival was held on 6 April at the Lithgow Pony Club in Lithgow, NSW with host Blue Mountains Fitness offering 7km, 13km, 22km, 30km, Mara and a 50km.

In the 50km event, there were 42 finishers.

For the Men’s 50km, top spots went to Peter Braga (5:24:56), Tian-Ming Whyithe (5:36:39) and Ian Wheatley (5:42:07) while in the Women’s 50km, winners were named Georgia Winton (6:12:22), Beatriz Ogilvie (6:34:30) and Angela Tokley (7:24:36).

Well done to our AURA member Dave Brown who ran in the 50km and finished in 7:28:09!

For the full list of results, including the 7km, 13km, 22km, 30km and 42km, click here.  

Backyard Ultra Trial Series Bendigo (Vic)

The Backyard Ultra Trial Series – Bendigo event was held on 7 April at Big Hill, Vic hosted by North-Vic Backyard Ultras, and is done in the backyard format for all levels of runners, especially beginners.

In the Men’s event, top spots were awarded to Kurt Northausen, David Snowden and Cameron White and for the Women’s event it was Stacie Symons, Rachel Jenkins and Rebecca Schifferle.