Weekly News Report 9-11-2024

Weekly News Report 9-11-2024

Kate Dzienis • November 9, 2024
  • Australian 6 Day, SA
  • Smurf's BYU, Qld
  • Great Ocean Trail Ultra, Vic
  • Trail Run Australia, Qld
  • Feral Pig Ultra, WA
  • SA Track Ultra, SA
  • Upcoming Events


WEEKLY NEWS REPORT FOR 10-11-2024

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 AURA-listed event specifically! You just have to be an AURA member for the 2024 year. Also too, if you’ve run in a non-AURA 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.


Australian 6 day festival (sa)

The Australian 6 Day Festival was held from 29 September to 5 October at Thorndon Park in Paradise, SA and not only offered a 6-day event (39 finishers – 20M, 19F), but also 72hr (4 finishers – 2M, 2F), 48hr (3 finishers – 2M, 1F) and 24hr (12 finishers – 6M, 6F) options.

In the Men’s 6 Day race, the top spot was awarded to AUTRA member Blaine Bourke (Qld) who secured 1st Male with an incredible distance of 855.615km – congratulations Blaine! AUTRA’s very own Darren Linney (SA) claimed 2nd Male with a whopping 814.578km, an amazing performance, well done! Third Male went to Sejie Takaki (667.368km).

In the Women’s 6 Day event, AUTRA’s Nikki Wynd (Qld) claimed the 1st Female spot with an amazing distance of 646.185km, big congrats! AUTRA member Sabina Hamaty (NSW) secured 2nd Female with a crack at making 623.182km, well done Sabina! And 3rd Female was awarded to another AUTRA member, Sandi Faddy (Qld) who finished her 6 day performance with 509.096km, congrats! A rounded-out AUTRA podium!

To compete in a 6-day event in itself is an amazing feat of human achievement, so a massive congratulations must go out to every runner who participated! Including our AUTRA members: David Billett (625.018km), Greg Wilson (532.159km), Stephan Kent (426.388km), Marie Boyd (402.166km), Cassie Smith (386.466km), Roxane Mutschler (380.757km), John Timms (366.496km), Rebecca Myors (363.867km), Louise Wallace (333.713km), Amy Goodridge (327.980km), Michael Coughlan (325.142km), Jo Rodway (308.047km), Benjamin Anchor (225.322km) and Fee Salmons (168.969km).

RECORDS!

  • Our Aussie living in the US, Maree Boyd, set a new W75 6 Day record with her final distance of 402.166km – big congratulations Maree on this amazing achievement!
  • Roxane Mutschler secured herself a new W25 48hr record with 202.986km, well done!
  • Sandi Faddy claimed a new W60 12hr record when she hit 87.942km – congratulations!


In the
Women’s 72hr, Shelly Hughes took 1st Female (318.012km) and Nancy Williams took 2nd (58.120km). In the Men’s 72hr, top spots went to Perry Newburn (181.102km) and Tony Wilms (95.542km).

In the Women’s 48hr, AUTRA’s Allicia Heron (ACT) claimed the top spot with a total distance of 270.086km – congrats Allicia!

In the Men’s 48hr, the winners were named Connor Heath (135.664km) and Justin Halejko (94.700km).

Moving onto the Women’s 24hr event, Tanya Caro took 1st Female (142.618km) whilst AUTRA’s very own Lib Smith (Tas) took the title for 2nd Female after a success campaign of 125.652km). Third Female was awarded to Kerinda Camilleri (101.246km).

In the Men’s 24hr, top spots went to Scott Cameron (212.494km), Kyle Hughes (128.354km) and Matthew Rees (111.248km).

Congratulations to our members who ran in the 24hr, including Greg Ponych who finished with 71.300km and Marnie Zakis who completed her run with 55.614km.

The full list of results can be found here.

Images: Australian 6 day

Smurf's Backyard Ultra (qld)

Smurf’s BYU was held from 26-27 October 2024 at Smithfield MTB Park in Smithfield, Far North Qld, and ran with the backyard format in place – laps of 6.7km on the hour, every hour.

The winner of this year's Smurf’s BYU was Adam Fox who completed 26 laps, while Murray MacPherson was the Assist with 25.

Congratulations to all the runners who ran at the event. The full list of results can be found here.

Images: facebook/supplied.

Great Ocean Trail Ultra (Vic)

The Great Ocean Trail Ultra (formerly the GOW100) was held on Saturday, 26 October 2024 along the Great Ocean Walk in Apollo Bay, Vic and offered either a 100km (solo: 98 finishers) solo/relay or 45km (solo: 70 finishers).

In the Men’s 100km, AUTRA member Ben Burgess (Vic) took the top spot having finished the distance in an incredible 9:26:18 – big congratulations Ben! Second and 3rd Male were awarded to Thomas Miller (11:07:23) and Jadan Halkett (11:11:15).

In the Women’s 100km, Nicole Paton took the top spot with 10:54:02, Sue Forsyth took 2nd Female (11:54:49) and Alexandra Knights took 3rd (12:38:36).

Well done to all our members who ran in the 100km solo event, including Simon Neale (12:53:26), Lauren Theodore (16:11:18), Jody Daff (17:55:14), Jonathan Ennis-King (17:55:15), Andy Hewat (18:51:40), Robert Flury (19:04:51) and Paola Flury (19:04:51).

Winners in the Men’s 45km were Tim Goddard (4:13:35), Rob Stilwell (4:42:05) and Ashley Hardin (4:46:07); winners in the Women’s 45km were Ali Patterson (5:48:23), Holly Moreton (5:50:42) and Kylie Royal Meehan (5:52:16).

Congratulations to our AUTRA members who ran in the 45km, including Amanda Meggison (6:42:48), Fiona Hewson (6:44:15) and Jo Rodway (7:32:55).

The full list of results can be accessed here.

Images: Tour de trails/facebook

TRAIL RUN AUSTRALIA (qld)

Trail Run Australia – Sunshine Coast was held on Sunday, 27 October in Landsborough, Qld where runners got to traverse through the Dularcha National Park and across Ewen Maddock Dam. On offer were a variety of distances, including a 32km, 21km, 11km and 5km.

Congratulations to AUTRA’s Samuel Stow (Qld) who took 1st Male in the Men’s 32km after crossing the finish line in 2:36:47. Second and 3rd Male were awarded to Shaun Spowart (2:37:10) and Carl Nield (2:49:54).

Winners in the Women’s 32km were Romy Wolstencroft (2:53:57), Elizabeth O’Neil (3:24:26) and Kristin Zerna (3:27:49).

In the Men’s 21km, winners were named Chad Bryham (1:34:51), Ben Meredith (1:44:01) and Darragh King (1:44:30). In the Women’s 21km, they were Anna McKenna (1:39:07), Carly Barkle (1:59:49) and Richelle Shaw (2:02:53).

In the Men’s 11km, top spots were awarded to Michel van der Vaart (50:19:16), Matthew Anderson (56:21:91 [sic]) and Nick Crosbie (56:40:32). In the Women’s 11km, winners were Montanna McAvoy (53:41.90 [sic]), Marianne Elshof (56:29:90 [sic]) and Emmy Day (1:00:07).

In the Men’s 5km, podium spots went to Harry Best (20:17:17), Vinnie Vella (23:59:04) and Bailey Taylor (24:01:60 [sic]); for the Women’s 5km, they were Violet Ward (23:11:85 [sic]), Georgi Seels-Wood (24:48:12) and Phoebe Best (26:04:05).

The full list of results can be viewed here.

Image: Facebook

Feral pig ultra (wa)

The Feral Pig Ultra was held in WA on Saturday, 2 November through the south west bushlands of Mundaring, along the Bibbulmun Track, offering a 100m, 100km, 50mi, 50km, 23km and 5km. 

In the Women’s 100mi, 1st Female was awarded to Susha Fisher (26:56:55) and 2nd to Emma Tanzer (29:32:15). Congratulations to AUTRA’s Nicola Walters (WA) who took 3rd Female after crossing the finish line in 33:05:44 – well done Nicola!

In the Men’s 100mi, top spots were awarded to Oakie Diggins (21:18:06), Tom Grunnill (21:46:17) and Craig Maluish (23:54:41).

A big well done to all those who took on the 100mi, including Tristan Cameron (29:27:07), Kevin Matthews (30:08:17), Andy Thompson (30:08:19), Glen Smetherham (30:08:19), Malcolm Sleet (33:37:43), Gabe Alves (36:01:26), John Herzfeld (36:12:40), Greg Benn (36:21:56) and Ronnette Davies (37:47:34).

In the Women’s 100km, AUTRA’s Jutta Kober (WA) took home the bacon with top spot following a performance that saw her finish the line in 19:39:32 – well done Jutta! Second Female went to Candice Waldeck (23:01:21), whilst 3rd Female went jointly to AUTRA’s Del Thompson (WA) and Karin Ridley who both completed the race in 24:12:49.

In the Men’s 100km, top podium spots were awarded to Ethan Stirrat (12:10:30), Yannick Delattre (13:10:44) and Jordan Adams (13:25:21).

Congratulations to all our members who ran in the 100km, including Aaron Young who finished the distance in a fantastic 31:03:00 – stellar effort.

In the Women’s 50mi, winners were named Julie Gibson (11:41:17), Kate Maddams (11:54:02) and Helen Keegan (12:49:03). In the Men’s 50mi, they were Jayden Resuggan (10:12:00), Nicholas Allbrook (10:31:58) and Henry Smith (10:46:30).

Well done to AUTRA member Jason Simpson who finished the 50mi in a great time of 19:28:07!

In the Women’s 50km, top spots went to Niamh McMullan (6:17:29), Manue Hooper-Bue (6:26:35) and Genevieve Warriner (6:38:44), whilst in the Men’s 50km, winners were Brendan Verrier (4:47:18), Andre Pienaar (5:45:16) and Patrick Millington (5:49:18).

Congratulations to our members who ran in the 50km, including Glenn Ross (6:48:29), Ian North (7:13:32), Daniel Taborsky (7:31:00), Graham Tottey (8:30:16), Andrew Nugteren (8:44:09), Jagpawan Dhillon (8:52:35) and Mario Blasius (15:14:32).

Top spots in the Women’s 23km were Meghann Bullen (2:15:46), Annika Keall (2:25:53) and Emmanuelle Wilkinson (2:38:00), whilst in the Men’s 23km they were Elliot Letchford (1:53:36), Tony Pfaff (1:58:40) and Dominic Mattes (2:04:37).

The little piggies race, the Piglet 5km, was for juniors. Winners in the Women’s 5km were Juliet King (31:55), Kaylee Maxfield (37:05) and Cara Lindner (39:08); winners for the Men’s 5km were named as Bastian Schmidt (27:29), Joshua Catania (30:58) and Toby Maxfield (31:58).  

The full list of results can be found here.

Images: Facebook

SA Track ultra (sa)

The SA Track Ultra is currently being held at the SA Athletics Stadium this weekend (9-10 November) and we will have results as soon as they become available. 

UPCOMING EVENTS

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
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IN OTHER NEWS

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
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