Weekly News Report 15-12-2023

COAST TO KOSCIUSZKO

One of Australia’s favourite ultra events, Coast to Kosciuszko, was held from 1-3 December in NSW from Eden to Charlotte Pass via Mount Kosciuszko. 

Race directors Greg and Mickey said this year’s event had it all, from drenching rains and thunderstorms to wildlife and the beautiful night stars. With upwards of 200mm falling in the Eden area two days before race day, and around 100m the day before, it was always going to be a wet start – that meant there was potential the race might not go ahead with Princes Highway cut by swollen rivers. 

Rainfall meant 20km of the course was impassable due to road closures. A revised course still on the approved route was supported by a short procession stage, meaning the 2023 Coast to Kosciuszko could still go ahead and runners would get a hard crack at the 240km they’d been training for. 

“Six assisted creek and causeway crossings meant a lot of wet feet and a lot of shoe changes for some – and a lot of back and forth for race officials,” they said. “Fallen trees before and after the start were ably addressed by the Towamba locals and their chainsaws – and the Bega Valley Council helped us too.”

The wildlife was abundant with snoozing snakes at CowBail Trail, kangaroos, emus, wombats, echidnas, cows, sheep and a cacophony of frogs for 200km meant runners were never alone. 

“The rain kept coming, but our runners kept smiling and were in great spirits the whole way. Gratitude is a wonderful thing and ultra runners have it,” they said. “Thunderstorms (with up to six thunderstorms stacked or ‘trained’ above Mount Kosciuszko) closed the summit during the race, creating a mix of summit finishers (240km) and inclement weather finishers (222km). Coast to Kosci 2023 was a year of firsts – the first ever inclement start with an inclement finish, and a summit finisher and an inclement weather finisher both arriving at Charlotte Pass from opposite ends to meet and embrace at the finish line banner together! Ain’t love grand.”

Before we get onto the results, it’s worth noting that two-thirds of this year’s starters were newbies, and in the end 46 of 53 starters finished for a higher than average finish rate. 

“It was wild, amazing, and it doesn’t get any better for the 53 who truly tested themselves against the course and all the elements could provide. Every finisher was rightly celebrated and welcomed to the Coast to Kosci family.”

Onto the results: First Male to finish the 240km was David Vroom, who completed the race in 28:09:00. Second Male in this epic journey was AURA’s Mark Avery from Newington, NSW who finished the distance in a fantastic 28:53:00. Third Male was Matthew Pilley with a time of 29:22:00. 

For the women, 1^st Female to cross the finish was AURA’s very own Margie Hadley from Henley Brook, WA who’s stellar effort saw her complete the adventure in 32:26:00 whilst AURA president Simone Hayes from Gymea Bay, NSW took 2^nd Female after finishing Coast to Kosciuszko in 32:42:00. AURA member Jalna Clair from Kenmore Hill, Qld rounded out the podium with a 3^rd Female finish, completing her race with an Inclement Finish of 29:38:00.

Brilliant effort by every single ultra runner at Coast to Kosciuszko, including AURA members Dillon Rinn (30:40:00), Tim Woods (31:03:00), Andrew Heyden (31:50:00), John Walsh (Inclement Finish of 29:49:00), Thomas White (Inclement Finish of 29:52:00), Liv Compton (Inclement Finish of 30:51), Luca Turrini (Inclement Finish of 31:09), Alan Wheat (Inclement Finish of 32:48:00), Nathan Constable (Inclement Finish of 32:57:00), Ramiro Lopez-Pena (Inclement Finish of 33:33:00), Stephen Redfern (Inclement Finish of 34:13:00), Christopher Beavon (Inclement Finish of 34:30:00), Lindsay Hamilton (Inclement Finish of 34:54:00), Mario Buchs (Inclement Finish of 35:09:00), Alex McCann (Inclement Finish of 35:52:00), Kevin Heaton (Inclement Finish of 36:19:00), David Pearce (Inclement Finish of 36:21:00), Simon Neale (Inclement Finish of 36:31:00), Cian Gray (Inclement Finish of 36:50:00), Lisa Sherman (Inclement Finish of 36:54:00), Trevor Allen (Inclement Finish of 37:10:00), Kathryn Austin (Inclement Finish of 37:13:00), Ben Bailey (Inclement Finish of 39:06:00) and Renae Brock (Inclement Finish of 41:02:00).

And a well done to those who made the attempts this year, including Nikki Wynd, Geoffrey Barnes and David Bennie.

*The Towamba BBQ fundraiser for the Towamba public school couldn’t happen due to floodwaters. However the CTK Class of 2023 passed around the Akubra and donated $2,604 to the Towamba public school and it’s 26 pupils. CTK is grateful to all the local communities from Eden to Jindabyne who support and in many ways made the 2023 Coast to Kosciuszko possible.

For the full list of 2023 results, click here. Images from Coast to Kosciuszko – Nathan Damcevski.

BRUNY ISLAND 64KM ULTRA

The Bruny Island 64km Ultra was held on 2 December and caters for solo runners as well as those who want to team up and do the distance as a team in an official relay. Held on Bruny Island in Tasmania, runners start at Dennes Point in the northern end of the island and run the length of it finishing at Cape Bruny lighthouse in the south. 

In the Men’s 64km Solo, 1^st Male and 2^nd Male were awarded to Luke Budd (4:48:33) and Chris Lewinski (4:51:17) respectively. AURA member Brian Lyons from Devonport, Tas took out 3^rd Male with a fantastic time of 4:51:24. In the Women’s 64km Solo event, podium finishes went to Grace Tame (5:04:07), Elisabeth Offringa (5:39:42) and Ashley Bosveld (5:47:27). 

FISIOCREM GC50 RUN FESTIVAL (AUSTRALIAN 50km CHAMPIONSHIPS)

The fisiocrem GC50 Run Festival was held from 2-3 December and this year doubled up as the 2023 Australian 50km Championships in Coolangatta, Qld. Please note, winners of the Championships – podium positions in both the Men’s and Women’s divisions – do not need to be financial AURA members. They simply need to win 1^st, 2^ndand 3^rd to be recognised as Championship winners by AURA). 

In the Women’s 50km, Marnie Ponton took 1^st Female with a finishing time of 3:15:46, which (subject to ratification) is the new Women’s 50km AUS Open Record (and W35 Age Group Record). Second Female went to Riine Ringi (3:37:17) whilst AURA’s very own Kyoko Miura from Alderley, Qld took home 3^rd Female with a brilliant time of 3:51:52.

In the Men’s 50km, top spots were awarded to Dean Edmonds (3:14:07), Kyle Weise (3:21:38) and Matt Cooper (3:22:34). 

These are your 2023 Australian 50km Championship winners, and we congratulate them all. 

Well done to all our members who raced in the GC50km! With 445 finishers in total, members who finished in the top 100 included Anthony Boyle (3:29:48 and 5^th Male), Mark Taylor (3:46:27), Joshua Duff (3:50:13), Adrian Polidano (3:50:16) and Corrina Black (4:27:40).

For the full list of results, you can click through here.

BLUE GOAT’S BACKYARD MARATHON

Blue Goat’s Backyard Marathon was held from 2-3 December in Mount Victoria, NSW. With options from 5km, 10.5km, a half marathon, 30km, full marathon, 50km and the LOS format, this event catered to every level of runner out there. 

In the LOS, the winner was named Branislav Bodnar who completed a total of 22 laps, and the Assist was Jones Peters after finishing 21 laps. 

In the Men’s 50km, podium spots were awarded to Arran Hall (6:48:34), Mark Boylett (7:25:18) and Matthew Williamson (7:31:34). In the Women’s 50km, winners were named Alexandra Miller (7:28:05), Marie-Claire McKenna (8:48:13) and Morgan Weber (11:08:50). 

To view all results for every distance at the Blue Goat’s Backyard, click here.

ULTRA-TRAIL KOSCIUSZKO BY UTMB

Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko by UTMB was held from 7-9 December in the Snowy Mountains, NSW and offered a Miler, 100km, 50km and 27km. It’s an event that is part of the UTMB World Series, with all distances carrying the opportunity to earn Running Stones – the pathway to qualification for UTMB Mont Blanc. There were 160 finishers in the miler. 

Kicking it off with the Men’s 100miler, top spots were awarded to Chris Lenkic (19:23:07), Takumi Sawayanagi (19:25:21) and Hayato Nishikata (19:46:25). 

In the Women’s 100miler, Manuela Soccol from Belgium took 1^st Female with 22:24:48 whilst two AURA members rounded off the podium – Stephanie Auston from Coorangbong, NSW claimed 2^nd Female with 23:02:41 and Claire O’Brien-Smith from Swanbourne, WA took home 3^rd Female following a final result of 23:19:20. 

Congratulations to all members who raced in the 100miler, including Sarah Ludowici (23:49:45), Greg Plier (28:44:45), Melissa Robertson (29:53:27), Johnathan Hewis (30:53:19), Jacob Garlick (31:45:44), Richard Wales (32:47:34), Karen Hayward (33:46:33), Julie Steele (33:49:50), Gregory Jenkins (34:06:50) and Jonathan Ennis-King (34:50:42). 

There were 490 finishers in the 100km. 

In the Women’s 100km, AURA’s Patricia McKibbin from Watson, ACT took 1^st Female with a fantastic time of 12:22:04. Hannah McRae won 2^nd Female in 12:46:04 whilst Sophie Broome took 3^rd Female (13:00:30). 

In the Men’s 100km, top spots were won by Ruy Ueda (9:49:28), Rhett Gibson (10:09:12) and Adrian De La Nougerede (11:32:33).

Well done to all members who raced in the 100km. Top 100km finishers included Andrew Gaskell (12:00:18 and 5^th Male), Benn Coubrough (12:18:19 and 6^th Male), Michael Tosin (13:58:57), Martin Rowe (14:22:28), Michael Daly (15:08:20), Howard McCann (15:30:04) and Anne-Marie Cook (15:55:48). 

Onto the Men’s 50km, where top spots were awarded to Tuomas Kari (4:17:53), Billy Curtis (4:28:23) and Kouken Ogasawara (4:29:05) and in the Women’s 50km winners were named Madison Reynolds (5:14:58), Lauren Gillis (5:35:41) and Demi Caldwell (5:38:07). 

Congratulations to all AURA members who raced in the 50km. Top 100 finishers included Mike Carroll (4:35:49 and 4^th Male), Iain Best (5:02:36 and 9^th Male) and Monika Ludriks (6:12:11). 

For the full list of results for all finishers and all distances, click here.

DUSK TO DAWN 6/12

The Dusk to Dawn 6/12 is a 6hr and 12hr race along the Patawalonga Frontage in Glenelg, SA, with host GoodRunnings reporting it’s the state’s only summer time-based ultra. Unfortunately due to weather concerns, the event was re-scheduled. Please keep an eye out on the GoodRunnings FB page for updates. 

NARRABEEN ALLNIGHTER

The 16th edition of the Narrabeen Allnighter, held in Narrabeen NSW, took place from 9-10 December and offered participants a 12hr race both in solo and 2-person teams. 

In the Men’s 12hr Solo, top spots were awarded to Adam Meredith (23.5 laps or 123.947km), Ian Gallagher (23 laps or 121.310km) and Caio Peculis (21.5 or 113.399km) laps. In the Women’s 12hr Solo, podium finishes were named Mary Ryan (18.5 laps or 97.575km), Tanya Tan (17.5 laps or 92.301km) and Amy ‘Run For Run’ (17 laps or 89.664km). 

Congratulations to all members who raced at the Narrabeen Allnighter solo, including Dale Paul (18 laps or 94.938km), Clayton Talbot (17 laps or 89.664km), Zed Zlotnick (15 laps or 79.115km), Leah Weeden (14 laps or 73.841km), John Foster (13 laps or 68.566km), Nicole Kruse (8 laps or 42.195km) and Mark Firth (8 laps or 42.195km). 

For the full list of results, head here.

Main feature image: Coast to Kosciuszko class of 2023. Image – Nathan Damcevski.