Weekly News Report 4-10-2023

Kate Dzienis • October 4, 2023

Berry Long Run, Vic
Bricks Backyard, NSW
Australian 6 Day Ultra Festival, SA
GBomb Trail Run, NSW
Insider Updates
Upcoming Events

We are always on the hunt for your stories and reports, so with us getting started on the next edition of Ultramag, send in your incredible tales to ultramag@aura.asn.au And remember, it doesn’t have to be about an AURA-listed event specifically! You just have to be an AURA member for the 2023 year.

If any corrections need to be made in any of the results listed below, please alert our editor via email by contacting Kate Dzienis at kate.dzienis@aura.asn.au

BERRY LONG RUN

The Berry Long Run was held back on August 12 in Blackwood, Vic but we now have gotten a hold of the official results, so let’s go back in time, shall we?!

Ultra runners were offered a 70km trail run from Blackwood where they left town quickly and got a taste of the single track along a gorge before cutting through forest along a mix of trails and dirt road down to Mt Blackwood, then onto the Blackwood Range Track and all the way to the trail head at Swans Road. The return route revisited the Track to Mt Blackwood and continued along the Lerderderg Trail all the way back to Blackwood.

In the Men’s 70km, tops spots were awarded to Jon Strachan (6:53:25), Peter Henry (7:01:13) and Stefan Taranto (7:23:08). For the Women’s 70km, 1^st female went to Holly Moreton (8:42:06), whilst AURA’s very own Jody Daff from Croydon North, Vic took 2^nd Female in an incredible time of 8:48:09. Megan Allen-Creed (8:51:27) took 3^rd.

Congratulations to all our AURA members who ran in the Berry Long Run’s 70km event, including Mal Joseland (7:47:15), Tim Kacprzak (7:55:59), Paola Flury (11:21:52) and Robert Flury (11:21:53).

BRICKS BACKYARD

New to the AURA calendar, Bricks Backyard Ultra was held weekend of 30 September to 3 October in St Ives, NSW. Sydney’s first backyard ultra challenged runners to conquer 6.706km loops on the hour, ever hour in a relentless battle until only was left standing.

Congratulations to Mark Firth who was the race’s last one standing having completed 28 yards and to Mel Simpson who was the last female standing. A massive congrats also to AURA’s Ramiro Lopez Pena, from Manly NSW, who secured the Assist with 27 yards!

Well done to all our AURA members who ran in Bricks Backyard Ultra, including Hayden Pohio (140.826km), Pam Muston (127.414km), Steven Bain (100.590km), Jeremy Rankin (87.178km), Grant Brisbin(73.766km), Heather Hawkins (60.354km), Ben Hirst (60.354km), Doug Richardson (53.648km) and Zed Zlotnick (46.942km).

For the full list of results, click here.

AUSTRALIAN 6 DAY ULTRA MARATHON FESTIVAL

It’s still on! The Australian 6 Day Ultra Marathon Festival kicked off yesterday on 1 October at Thorndon Park in SA, about 20km north east of Adelaide. For a bit of background, it used to be held in Colac, Vic from 1984 but in 2018 was brought to SA and now incorporates 72hr, 48hr and 24hr events.

There’s still a long way to go yet, but we’ll have all the results for the next Weekly Report, but keep watch on the event’s Facebook page for continuous updates on our members!

GBOMB TRAIL RUN

Another new event on the AURA calendar, the GBomb Trail Run (hosted by Coffs Trail Runners) was held on the eastern states’ public holiday Monday, 2 October in the Bom Bom State Forest near Grafton. Runners were given an opportunity to race along a myriad of single track and fire trail on a 10km looped course with the option of 1 Lap (10km), 2 Laps (20km) or 3 Laps (30km).

In the 30km Men’s event, podium finishes were awarded to Dennis Van Mill (2:30:26), Kieran McAndrew (2:35:10) and David Hessey (3:46:39). In the 30km Women’s event, Belinda James secured 1^st Female (3:05:54).

In the Men’s 20km, top spots were awarded to Eli Donoghue (1:37:09), Jake Connolly (1:41:38) and Jason Wade (1:44:23). For the Women’s 20km, it was Angela James 1^st (1:47:09), Michelle Reardon 2^nd (1:55:36) and Jessica O’Leary 3^rd (2:02:25).

Congratulations to AURA’s Chris Bennett from Holt, ACT who ran in the 20km and finished in 2:20:35.

Keep an eye out on the Coffs Trail Runners website for updates on results.

INSIDER UPDATES

Attention Race Directors! Don’t forget that AURA’s race calendar is now open for 2024. By listing early, we can allow runners to plan their year ahead more easily, so head to the link here and register your event.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Hume & Hovell Ultra will be held the weekend of 7-8 October in Tumbarumba, NSW offering up to 100mi, and BRuTUS will be on 8 October in Blue Range Hut, ACT providing ultra runners up to 60km in distance.

The Lonely Mountain Ultra is due to kick off 14 October in Lidster, NSW with distances up to 100km; the kunanyi Trail Series – Cascade Slide will be on 21 October in South Hobart, Tas; the Heysen 105 Ultra in victor Harbour, SA; and Old Mates Backyard Ultra from 27-30 October in Upper Barron, Qld.

Bondi to Manly Ultra will be held on 28 October in Bondi, NSW and the Great North Walk Ultras in Patonga, NSW will be from 28-29 October.

Looking ahead, November will also be a busy month with the Feral Pig Ultra from 4-5 November) in Mundaring, WA; the Great Southern Stage Run from 16-18 November in WA; Hysterical Carnage Backyard Ultra from 17-19 November in Loxton, SA; GSER from 17-19 November in Harrietville, Vic; and the Stromlo Running Festival from 18-19 November in Stromlo, ACT.

Pictured: Getting ready for another lap at the 2023 Bricks Backyard Ultra. Photograph – Supplied/Bricks Backyard Ultra.

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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