WILSON HAS DONE IT AGAIN

WILSON HAS DONE IT AGAIN

Kate Dzienis • July 19, 2023

Contributed by Greg Wilson, AURA member (Kyneton, Vic)

AUSTRALIAN 24 HOUR TRACK INVITATIONAL (OPEN), AIS BRUCE (ACT), 1-2 July 2023

Only three weeks since a flat out 6hr at Southern Sydney and not at all sure my body has recovered from my exertions there. Still it is my final ultra marathon for the year, so I must turn up and at least have a go. A lot of good memories from last year, as it was my first event since turning 70 and resulted in a bunch of Australian Age Group records.

A brisk Canberra morning but much improved on last year, when rain bucketed down pre-race and then a strong wind blew in from the snowfields. An hour before the 0800 start I caught up with Justin Hiatt, who had kindly agreed to crew for me again, after being integral to a successful Sri Chinmoy 48 Hour a few months ago.

I showed him a very optimistic schedule I had created to set me on the path to an M70 World Best Performance for 12 hours. It required me to average 9.5kms per hour for 12 hours and then I could stop, or plug on at a slow pace for the next 12 hours. Below it I added a few goals which were more realistic and ended up being close to the mark.

The scheduled pace was fine through the marathon distance, as I felt relaxed and strong, but shortly after I was working hard to maintain it and knew a record 12 Hour was not possible. Justin has an impeccable record as crew for outstanding performances and I had to find a way to keep that intact, instead of wasting his valuable time.

After hour five I settled into doing what I knew worked from last year, which was walking the straights and running the bends. What I didn’t know, but was about to discover, was whether I could maintain it for another 19 hours. As race director Matt Eckford had said then, “If you want to break records…walking will not achieve it.”

I had gone through 6 hours about 9km behind my pace at Campbelltown three weeks earlier and my 12 hours (97.1km) was more than 10kms behind what I had set off aiming for. I then took a 15 minute break to hopefully prevent the 15 hour ‘collapse’ of last year.

We did the maths and I set off to attempt a better second half than last year. Simple really, all I had to do was continue my routine for another 12 hours and I would be in record territory in the final stages. Easily said, but it did entail hardly ever stopping and forcing my protesting legs into a run each time I came to a track bend. How long could I sustain it, before settling into long periods of walking and resulting failure.

The hard part was from 12 to 20 hours, as there was nothing to look forward to except many hours of cold, dark drudgery. If I got through that, I could then envisage attaining a new 100 mile record and then the race finish just two hours later.

If you don’t keep putting fuel in you grind to a halt. Common sense really and I tried to oblige whenever Justin offered me something. However my brain and body were telling me I was going to throw up if I had anything more. It was correct and now there was a problem, as there is no point eating if it is not staying down there to be digested.

In the last 6 hours I cautiously resumed eating and drinking and just hoped it would stay down. I had been banking an extra kilometre and when assured that I could have a walk and still attain the goals I did so with much relief. Always niggling though was “Don’t get to comfortable doing this, or it has all been for nothing.” With my eyes on the 100 mile record, I was soon upping the pace again to ensure it was as decent as I could make it. How did I spend those final laps leading up to a new Australian M70 Age Group record for 100 Miles? Three laps of walking nibbling at a delicious Hash Brown I had been offered and then stopped, throwing it all up again. What a waste!

Back to it! Stuff the food and just run some laps to get to 100 miles. I was pleased to improve my M70 Age Group Record by 44 mins 18 secs, by covering the distance in 21 hours 47 minutes 42 seconds. It was only a day after the event I realised that I had surpassed the long standing Australian M65 record held by Cliff Young. Unfortunately I didn’t manage that over a year ago when in the appropriate age group!

That’s better, as a goal has been achieved and in an hour the sun will be up for the last stages. Just keep doing more of the same and it’s just possible to attain 175km. All the same, it was now a very unusual experience to spend hours running on what was almost a skating rink. The track had become moist with dew and had now frozen solid.

Wearing multiple layers it was a constant challenge to stay warm enough, whilst not sweating too much. Head coverings tended to become too warm and yet my ears had to be covered as they were freezing. My thick mittens had become moist with sweat and were now freezing up. ‘Super domestique’ Justin found a heater and returned them dry and warm.

I continued with as much running as I could manage in the final hour, as the champions down in lane one were all inspiring with solid finishes. Out in lane six the early leader Ayden Boxsell had been 10kms in front of me at halfway. He had never run further than a marathon and now had a PB for 100km and 100 Miles. Even though injured in the second half, he stayed out there at a walk and completed a courageous first 24 Hour. Susan Marshall our sole female was flying through the final stages, as she also attained the magical miler mark.

In my briefing notes to Justin I noted some final remarks, which stated that my schedule was ‘Pie in the Sky’ and may only be attained if everything goes perfectly. I noted that otherwise, I would be elated to go sub 22 hours for 100 Miles and get to 175km for 24 hours.

I pushed the last few laps as much as I could, whilst having no idea of my real distance, as it was very approximately 4-5kms below Garmin display. The gun sounds the finish of 24 long hours and we rug up on chairs while distances are measured. Then it is off to the gazebo and lie down and keep warm until presentation.

Some extraordinary performances in the Invitational field. The depth was just what you would hope for, in this type of elite event. For me the superb running by Michael Hooker to attain 260.401km and a PB for Allicia Heron of 225.428km including multiple W35 Age Group Records, were the highlight.

In the open event there was proof that the second half is as important as the first. As I remained uninjured and doggedly stayed the course, I won my first event against all ages this millennium. The distance achieved was 175.034km. With a sensible Plan and an invaluable crew in Justin Hiatt, I had improved my Australian M70 Age Group Record by over 4km. It was pleasing to also get past one of Cliffy’s non-record achievements after narrowly missing it the previous year.

How long my comeback will endure I do not know but it is nice to be out there doing it.

Featured Image: Greg Wilson post-race at the 2023 Australian 24 Hour Track Invitational. Photograph – Unknown/Supplied FB.

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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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