WEEKLY NEWS BRIEF – 13/9/2018

What an exciting month it’s been so far, and we’re not even half way!

Bright Ultra

The first race for the month of September was held on 1 September in Bright, Vic. Aptly named the Bright Ultra the event offered a 50k distance with a 12hr cut-off. Well done to AURA’s David Byrne who took first overall/first male with a speedy 4:13:53 – more than 39 minutes ahead of the closest male to follow, and Jacqui Clark who placed fifth in the women’s division, crossing the finish line in 7:29:08.

Congratulations also goes to Mark Sawa (5:42:26), Niall Roche (6:01:42), and Duc Do (8:31:01).

The Great North Walk 100s

The Great North Walk 100s is a 250km walking track that runs along the coastal strip between Sydney and Newcastle, NSW. The 100km race finishes at Yarramalong while the 100 Miler at Patonga, but there is also a 50k option as well as a 50 Miler.

An astounding effort from AURA’s Vladimir Shatrov from Kahibah, NSW took first overall/first male in the 50k event with a time of 4:28. Congratulations also to Tim Lyndon (5:39) and Roger Hanney (8:07).

AURA had another podium finisher in the Great North, this time in the 100 Miler with Joe Ward from Fairlight, NSW taking the crown in less with 24-hours and crossing the finish in 23:06. Well done to our other members who participated and completed the distance, including Adam Darwin (29:40), Melissa Robertson (31.02), Andy Hewat (33.50), Greg Brown (35:32) and Renae Brock (35:39).

It was amazing work byJulie Quinn from Macquarie, ACT who took the prize with first female in 13:12, and congratulations must also go to Morgan Sheehy who completed the event in 15:00.

Glasshouse Trail Series

Conditions were great for running at the weekend’s Glasshouse Trail Series, held in the beautiful Glasshouse Mountains of Qld. This particular event provided three ultra options – a 50k, 100k and a 100 Miler, giving everyone a taste for long distance.

Working our way up the ladder in events, AURA’s very own Daniel Williams from Ipswich, Qld took first male/first overall in the 50k in a time of 4:52:49, whilst Michael Bray claimed third male/fourth overall in 4:58:08.

For the women, Connie Stevenson from Brisbane, Qld sped through the race and took first woman/second overall right on Williams’ heels, claiming a time of 4:53:28.

Big congratulations also to our AURA members Laurie Laine (5:35:24), Kris Ryan (6:48:12) and Kelvin Marshall (7:16:21).

In the 100k Steve Marton took third male with 13:27:00 flat, while well-known runner Marita Eisler took first place for the women in 13:36:27. Superb efforts were also noted by Richard McCormick (17:51:33) and Stephen Lewis (26:02:46).

On to the big race, the 100 Miler, and NSW’s Rob Mason claimed second in an astonishing 20:22:29. Massive props to Ben Hirst who came through the finish with 26:25:15.

IAU 100k World Championships

We are still waiting on official results for the Australian team who participated in the ever-anticipated IAU 100k World Championships which were held in Croatia on Saturday (Sept 8). Preliminary results captured on Sunday were Brendan Davies (7:08:30), Barry Keem (DNF 55k 3:47:56), Gary Mullins (DNF 55k 4:06:27), Tash Fraser (8:12:37), Emilie Tan (8:30:51), Tia Jones (8:33:42), Margaret Hadley (8:56:03), Barbara Fieberg (8:58:16), Larissa Tichon (10:09:00) and Corrina Black (9:17:27).

As reported by numerous sources, including official team support member Jenny Taplin, conditions in Croatia were extremely humid and the course was classified difficult due to undulating terrain. The Aussie team had agreed the night before to slow down their average timed pace anywhere between 15 to 30 seconds to see through the humidity and finish the distance. The entire team did a tremendous job representing our country, and they did it so incredibly well – we couldn’t be more proud of each runner who headed over in the Aussie green and gold.

Tia Jones was awarded with gold in the 50-54 age category for the Worlds, an amazing effort by this outstanding athlete.

We will be keeping an eye out for a list of official results, but in the meantime, don’t miss out on this weekend’s events – the Surf Coast Century (100k and 50k) in Anglesea, Vic and the Butter24 (6/12/24 hour track) in Brisbane, Qld.

Pictured: The Australian team pre-race at the IAU 100k World Championships in Croatia. Photograph – Supplied/Facebook.