AUSTRALIAN ULTRA RUNNERS’ ASSOCIATION INC.
50 MILE TRACK RACE
(INCORPORATING THE AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP)
SATURDAY 19 JUNE 1993
BILL SEWART ATHLETIC TRACK (400m)
BURWOOD HIGHWAY, EAST BURWOOD, VICTORIA
Race Organiser: Geoff Hook
42 Swayfield Road
RACE REPORT Mount Waverley 3149
For the third year in a row the Australian records just tumbled. Lavinia Petrie set the bal rolling at the first ultra distance encountered in the 50 mile race. This distance was 30 miles. The ageless supermum zipped around the track in 3:41:57. She went on to capture 50km, 40 miles, 6 hours and 50 miles. The final result was over 20 minutes of her previous record. Congratulations Lavinia!
Dragan Isailovic in his first ultra race ran very controlled throughout to record new Australian records for 40 and 50 miles. His 40 mile record broke one of the few long standing records remaining in our lists. Martin Thompson held the record of 4:12:40 for his performance in 1978 in the U.K. The 50 mile record was lowered by over 3 minutes so well done in your first ultra, Dragan!
It was disappointing to have such a small field for such a long established race (14th suc event) and for an Australian championship event as well. By race entry close there were only 4 entrants and serious consideration was given to cancelling the event. The entries built up to 11 by race day which was some improvement but still less than 1/2 the size it ought to be. However it was a strong and quality field which toed the starting line at 8.00a.m. I hope more people support the race next year otherwise it could go the way many other races recently and be discontinued. So thank you to all those who entered and made an exciting day for us. Thank you to all the helpers as well. Dot Browne did mighty job with the catering and other general duties, PeteArmistead and Norm Brooke came especially to lap score for me, and Ray Callaghan and Rob Petrie assisted with timing. Thanks also to all you lap scorers, you did a marvellous job – not one lap missed by anyone!
We had 4 potential competitors for the forthcoming 100km World Championship in Belgium although Rudi has since withdrawn. Safet Badic ran close to his personal best with 5:22:49, Rudi Kinshofer ran an excellent 6:06:58, Lavinia ran a big personal best with 6:23:53 and Sandy Kerr ran an enormous personal best of over 11/4 hours with 7:49:20. Well done to all of you and I hope this is an omen for excellent results in Belgium.
I was pleased to have a couple of interstaters, Rudi from South Australia and David from New South Wales. Thanks to Jeff Visser and Peter Gray, a couple of stalwarts who hay J& supported my race for many years.
