RACE REPORTS

Hear direct from Clifford Jones about his training for the 2024 Tarawera Ultra Trail and the day of the big event.

Clayton Talbot recaps his time at the inaugural 2024 I'm Still Standing Sydney Last One Standing event on 16 March.

Kevin Matthews recaps his 100km at this year's Australia Day Ultra (to be known as the True Blue Ultra from 2025) and how he clocked in.

AURA president Simone Hayes raced in this year's 2023 Coast to Kosciuszko and recaps how her adventure went.

Lonneke Kefalas recaps her time racing at this year's Surf Coast Century, detailing every moment of her achievement.

Contributed by Kirstin Bull, AURA member (St Kilda, Vic) COBURG 24HR CARNIVAL, COBURG (VIC), 15-16 APRIL 2023 It’s been six months since I broke the 6-hour Australian record on the track in Coburg in Melbourne. As I reflect on this race, I thought I would share some thoughts on my road back to racing competitively. A little background for you. I found my niche in ultra running after dabbling in some ultra trail running events over the years and then entering my first 100km road race on the Gold Coast in 2015. This race was the Australian 100km Championship. I felt privileged to run with some very experienced runners and learnt a lot about my body and ultra running that day. My inexperience with fuelling and nutrition in warm conditions was evident with cramps, fatigue, and the realisation that I couldn’t run until I refuelled properly. This lesson was tough, yet valuable. Thankfully, despite thinking my race was over at one point, I finished with a B qualifier and was told I was eligible to apply for the Australian 100km team. Later that year I flew to the Netherlands for the World 100km Championship. It was a dream come true to represent my country in something I loved so much. In my first International 100km road race I finished eighth in a time of 7:39:28, running 47 minutes faster than the Australian champs earlier that year. I was delighted with my improvement, and I couldn’t believe I had broken the Australian record. Earlier that morning I had written the record on my forearm for inspiration, never dreaming I would come close. The following year, I returned to race a second 100km championship in the Australian colours. This time in the beachside town of Los Alcazares, Spain. I shocked myself (and my coach and family) by winning the world 100km championship and breaking my own Australian record by another five minutes, with the new national record now standing at 7:34:25. These two years were a huge peak in my running as I had always seen myself as a recreational, middle of the pack runner. Post winning the 100km champs I regularly found myself thinking ‘Did that really happen?’ Back to the reality of life, work, and recovery soon after the race, I made the decision to step away from racing to start a family. Despite my peak fitness, I knew I wasn’t getting any younger and I didn’t want to ‘miss the boat’. Unfortunately, I was very naïve in thinking I would be taking a short break from racing. Getting pregnant was far from easy for me. The IVF path had so many highs and lows. I thought training for a 100km race was hard, but this topped the list. Three and a half years of medical appointments, hormone injections and eight failed cycles took its toll. It was a different endurance event in my life. One I didn’t ask for. Thankfully, my stubbornness, persistence and resilience finally led my partner Virginia, and I to welcome our beautiful twins, Jasper and Zoe into the world. I don’t think anyone could have ever prepared me for what was to come and how much raising children changes your life. My life was turned upside down and is chaotic and crazy at times, yet I am forever grateful for the opportunity to raise children.

Contributed by Geoffrey Langhans, AURA member (Happy Valley, SA)

Contributed by Marie Boyd, AURA member (California, USA)

Contributed by Jessica Smith, AURA member (Perth, WA) NO TIME TO DIE BACKYARD ULTRA, ADELAIDE (SA), 15-17 September 2023 No Time To Die would be my 8th backyard in three years and to be honest, I was feeling a bit burnt out and feeling like I needed a break from the format. I had also been dealing with a long-term injury (plantar fasciitis) so my expectations going into the race weren’t high. With that in mind, the goal was just to try and have some fun, enjoy the format and meet some people in a new state (I’m from WA). Setting up camp with the WA and Tassie crew, it really was fun from the beginning. The James Bond theme made it like a big party and the first few laps with Brad Halls (aka Mr ‘smiles gets the miles’) were awesome! Heading into the first night a little group had formed with Emma, Laura, Joel and myself – aka the ducks, settling into a comfortable walk/run strategy (QUACK!). We slowly ticked off each milestone as we headed towards 100km. I was struggling a bit so it was great to be running with the others. Jaryd (my partner and solo crewman for this event) arrived at about midnight which gave me a little boost – I no longer had to crew myself and felt I could relax between laps. The crew really are so important.