Australian 24hr team at the 2025 world Championships in Albi, France

I had the absolute privilege of managing the Australian 24-Hour Team at the World Championships in Albi, France, on the 18-19 October. The event brought together 366 athletes from 45 countries, making it one of the most competitive fields in recent history.

It was an incredible few days with some of the best athletes and crew you could hope to work alongside, and to see Australia represented with so much pride and discipline was something special.

We took 11 athletes across: captain Maree Connor along with Holly Ranson, Jenny White, Cassie Cohen, Corrina Black and Carrie Gleeson for the women’s team, and captain John Yoon alongside David Vroom, Luke Thompson, Grant Brisbin and Joe Ward for the men. This was one of the strongest, most cohesive groups we’ve sent to a championship - a team that genuinely had each other’s backs from start to finish.

Our crew were first-class: Su Yi Poh, Bec Cohen, Di Inmon, Jo-Anne Hicks, Matt Griggs and Nic French - calm, organised and relentless. We also had Gary Mullins, AUTRA President, providing support from the sidelines.

The pre-race build-up wasn’t short on drama. The Camille Herron situation created plenty of distraction for the US team while reigning men’s world-record holder Aleksandr Sorokin withdrew the day before the race with injury - a huge shock for everyone. It set the stage for an unpredictable start to the championships.

Conditions in Albi were tough from the outset, with high temperatures testing athletes through the opening hours before cooling overnight. The race took place on a tight 1.5 km loop around Albi Stadium. Ice became hard to find early on, and special mention goes to Matt Griggs, who made countless runs to restock and keep our athletes cool - a small thing that made a big difference as many other countries struggled in the heat. Our strategy was clear: control the first six hours, stay consistent through the night, and if we all ran to potential, we’d be in the medal conversation.

The women executed the plan perfectly. Holly Ranson delivered one of the best 24-hour performances ever by an Australian, covering 274.172 km to take individual silver. In what became one of the most amazing women’s 24-hour races in history, all top three broke the previous world record. Sarah Webster (GBR) led from the gun and never faltered, winning with 278.622 km; Holly Ranson  took silver with 274.172 km; and Miho Nakata (JPN) finished strong for bronze with 271.987 km. Watching Sarah control the race so smoothly, Miho chase hard late, and Holly hold her ground in that front pack was incredible. A masterclass in pacing and mental toughness.

Behind Holly, Jenny White (237.442 km) and Cassie Cohen (232.986 km) put in outstanding runs to secure team silver for Australia with a combined 744.601 km, supported by Carrie Gleeson, Corrina Black and captain Maree Connor. Unfortunately, both Maree and Corrina were forced to retire mid-race due to medical issues, but in true leadership style, Maree immediately shifted into support mode, leading from the tent and helping steer the team through the final hours. That kind of character defines this group.

It wasn’t just medals that came home, the women also rewrote the national record books.

Holly Ranson (W35–39) broke multiple national marks, setting new open and age-group records for the 12-hour (145.531 km), 100-mile (13:21:36), 200 km (16:52:51) and 24-hour (274.172 km) events, also claiming the IAU Continental Oceania and IAU WABP W35 titles.

Jenny White (W40–44) set new age-group records for 200 km (19:54:57) and 24-hour (237.442 km), while Cassie Cohen (W30–34) added age-group records for 200 km (20:30:14) and 24-hour (232.986 km).

The men didn’t have the race they were hoping for, but the fight was there right to the end. David Vroom led the charge on debut with 246.387 km, followed by Luke Thompson (225.242 km) and Grant Brisbin (219.372 km), giving the team a total of 691.003 km for 18th place. 

Captain John Yoon and Joe Ward showed true team character. Joe in particular battling through a recurring hip injury and immense pain to stay out there as long as possible, cheered on by his kids from the grandstand. 

John, also carrying niggles, fought hard in the final hours against Ireland’s Jessie O’Connor, just missing the podium in the M50-54 age category after a tight head-to-head battle that went right to the line

Crewing a 24-hour race is brutal - no sleep, no shortcuts and no room for error. Our crew handled it like superstars. Every athlete was backed from the first lap to the last. 

By the final hour the atmosphere was electric. When the horn finally sounded, there was pride, exhaustion and the quiet satisfaction of knowing we’d left nothing out there.

Australia walked away with a world silver medal, multiple PBs, national records, and the respect of the international field. That’s a campaign to be proud of.