Event Information

Name:	Track Ultra WA
Distances:	3 Hour, 6 Hour, 12 Hour, 24 Hour and 24 Hour Relay
Date:	Saturday 19 August – Sunday 20 August 2023
Start Time:	Sat 19th – 11 am start for 24 hr, 24 hr Relay and 6 hr event Sat 19th – 6 pm start for 12 hr event Sun 20th – 6:30 am start for 3 hr event Sun 20th – 10 am start for kids 30 min event
Sunrise:	06:55
Sunset:	17:48
Aug Avg Temp:	Temp: Maximum 19.1, Minimum 8.3 AVG Rainfall 122.8 mm 2015 – dry 2016 – dry 2017 – Worst conditions nature could have thrown at us. But fun! 2018 – dry 2021 – dry 2022 – See 2017
Race Records::	3 hr (m)Nathan Fawkes 42.639 km – 2017 3 hr (f) Harmony Waite 33.266 km – 2017 6 hr (f) Shaye Pett 66.188 km – 2017 6 hr (m) Nathan Fawkes 76.526 km 2021 12 hr (f) Dale-Lynn Russell 115.175 km – 2017 12 hr (m) James Christie 125.977 km – 2016 24 hr (m) Richard Avery 240.431 km – 2016 24 hr (f) Dale-Lyn Russell 184.805 km – 2017 100 km Kevin Muller 8:44:45 – 2017
Cost:	3 hr AURA Member: $45 (Note: No AURA discounts apply to the 3 h event) 3 hr Non AURA Member: $45 6 hr AURA Member: $50 6 hr Non Aura Member: $65 12 hr AURA Member: $95 12 hr Non AURA Member: $110 24 hr AURA Member:$110 24 hr Non AURA Member: $125 Kids $0
Entries	Entries open on the 22/08/2022 at 1100 Email Ron@yourpotentialisendless.com for waitlist

Why Would I do this to myself?

So why would any semi sane person do something like this to themselves, and potentially miss the weekend football? , because it is only through challenging the norm that you find great reward! Ask anybody that has run a Half or Full Marathon, what they got out of it! More than likely the first thing you will hear is “blisters”, “soreness” and quite possibly a few “tears” as well, but after the dust settles, you are left with a profound sense of accomplishment and strength that you did not seem to have before. You know that you finished it, and you feel empowered.

That’s why Distance Runners do what they do. Sure it’s hard at the time, but when you manage to push through all of those difficulties, and get to the end, you are left with something that stays with you for the rest of your life.

So why are we using a track? .The purpose of using a track as opposed to an out and back or even a trail run, is that you can reduce the weight of gear that you would need to carry, have crews ideally placed to offer support and assistance to you throughout the run, report on the progress of participants and have the most preferential and ideal conditions to see what you can accomplish in the given time frame. A flat track is the preferred option here. You have to consider that a small bump at 2 hrs is going to become a significant hurdle for you at 5, 14 or even 21 hours.

And besides………….. A warm feed mid run and the ability to get off the track, heat up, change your clothes and have a cuppa in the cooler weather is welcome to most runners.

Distance events are really just eating and drinking competitions with a few laps thrown in to make it look like you have actually done something!

So how is this going to work? Participants will complete laps of the track at their own pace with the direction being changed every 3 hours, (so 3 hour runners will maintain the same direction until their event concludes).

The Electronic Transponder that each runner will carry, will record the total laps and distance that each runner completes, with the balance of the final partial lap added to their total distance after the hooter has sounded. The results will be posted online to a web link so that each runner can be individually tracked throughout the event as they complete laps, and via a manually updated board each hour.

At the conclusion of the event, the person with the furthest distance in each event will be the winner, but the biggest thing about running in these events, is not whether you are an Elite Athlete (of which there are few!), but rather whether you have done your best, challenged yourself and set yourself a PB. It’s all about you and what is your best!

Whether you want to run the entire distance, walk half of it, or walk the entire event, that is completely up to you. It does not matter how you get there, it is about setting yourself a goal and going after it. You goal may be 5 km or 250 km, that’s irrelevant.  People who “have a go” earn the respect of all.

We quite often get tied up with the superfast times, but the magic is in the doing. In distance running (or walking) there is less emphasis on the times and speed but rather in the comradery and mateship that exists between competitors. It is a lot of fun, and usually very different from what most people are used to.

For anyone that is interested, the event is capped at 200 competitors total. There are a maximum number of (50) 3 hr entries available for those that want to test the waters to see if it is for them. While 3 hrs is not technically an Ultra Marathon, it is a good way to get a taste of what these events are all about. Most people who participated last year, showed a strong interest in coming back this year to step up to a longer distance, so it is a great stepping stone for those wanting to progress in the sport.

There is Bling and there are trophies, but the most important thing that you can do, is to have some fun and step out and challenge yourself. You might surprise yourself!

Cancellations

Competitors may withdrawal up until 0900 on the 6th July 2023 to receive 50% of their entry refunded.

Competitors may withdrawal up until 0900 on the 23rd July 2023 to receive 25% on their entry.

Any withdrawals after the 23rd July are unfortunately unable to be refunded as all equipment and event costs have been paid.

Competitor Tracking

Link to come!!

2023 Event Entry Process

Entries in the Track Ultra WA are restricted to ~200 runners over all 5 events, with split start times. The qualification pre-requisites are as follows: 3 hr Nil 6 hr Nil 12 hr.

It is expected that participants will have experience at Running/Walking distance events and understand the risks associated with endurance events in wet/cool conditions.

Note: Any persons wanting to walk the entire 24 hr must contact the Race Director prior to entering on 0439496765

Competitor Pre Race Information

Mandatory gear requirements

There are no mandatory gear requirements for this event.

Start Location

The Bunbury Athletics Arena is located within the Hay Park Sporting fields alongside the netball courts. A map reference of 270 Bussell Hwy Withers WA 6230 will place you right on the Socceroos Access Road. From there it is 300 m to the Arena carpark. Access will be from the rear of the gated Arena. Click here for a location map. The competitor pre race information Pack will detail the exact location. This will be released closer to the date.

Course Measurement

The Arena has class 2 IAAF certification. This means that the distance has been certified and thus records will be up for grabs on the day/night of your chosen event. ( See explanation below) Courses must be certified for any running performance to be accepted as a record or to be nationally ranked.  Furthermore, running a race on a certified course allows you to accurately compare your time to performances run on other certified courses because you can be sure the distances were the same. No one can truly establish a personal best if the course distance is not accurate. When participants enter a race advertised to be of a certain distance, they have a reasonable expectation that the distance be accurate. The certification program is very important to the average runner, as well as those of exceptional speed. Most runners like to compare performances run on different courses and such comparisons are very difficult if course distances are not reliable. No one can establish a personal best if courses are not accurate. For any road-running performance to be accepted as a record, or be included in national or provincial rankings, it must be run on a certified course. In the coming months the documentation will be finalized prior to the event start. If you believe that you will be trying for an age group record then please advise Race Director in advance to ensure that the appropriate paperwork necessary will be on hand.

Lap Recording

An Electronic Timing system will be employed to record each lap time. (part laps will be recorded as below) For the last 5 minutes leading up to the conclusion of the 3,6, 12 and 24 hr events runners will be required to pick-up a small drop token which must be carried with them for the last lap. When the siren is sounded the runners in that particular event who are carrying the tokens must drop them on the side of the track where, the additional distance over and above a full lap will be measured out, and added to each runners elapsed lap totals. This after measurement will be the final total. Starting from the 3 hr mark all runners in the 6, 12 and 24 hr events will be required to complete a full lap and change direction. This will continue every 3 hours up to the 21 hr hr period. Any runner with a recordable distance who pulls out, will be allocated an official time depending upon the event they have entered.

Trophy presentation

There an no official trophy presentations. Winners only receive a trophy which will be presented to them by the Race Director when total lap distances have been posted at the end of their event. We are very low key and feel the emphasis should be on the runners not the awards. All competitors receive a completion medal regardless of distance.

Race Ammenities:

Toilet facilities: There are two toilet blocks, (and for the 2023 event,  porta loos will be located trackside at the 100 m mark), however there are no showers located at the Arena. Runners are able to use the showers at the recreation centre located approximately 500 m from the Arena. 

A Shopping Centre/Fast Food outlets and Service Station are located less than 500 m at the Parks Centre.

Small dome tents can be pitched on the infield while the night events are running on the 19th for competitors to sleep and rest.

A marquee will be available with Gas Heater, Microwave and Urn for competitors and crews. Power is available at the undercover area, as well as at the end of the 100 m straight.

Spectators have a shaded covered area to observe.

Accomodation options:

Lord Forrest Hotel 9726 5777 – 20 Simmons Street, Bunbury

Mantra 9296 5707 – 1 Holman Street, Bunbury

Lighthouse Beach Resort 9781 2700 – 2 Marlston Dr, Bunbury

Quest 9722 0777 – 14 Lyons Cove, Bunbury

Bunbury Apartment Motel 9721 7808 – 45 Forrest Ave, Bunbury

Mercure Santuary 97252777 – Lot 100 Old Coast Road, Pelican Point

Discovery Park 97957100 – Lot 2 Bussell Hwy, Usher (2km from event)

Race Sanctioning Body

AURA (also insurance provider for this event)

Special Thanks

Tailwwaind for their generous sponsorship

Rob D  for his technical assistance in helping  set up the event and website.

Additional resources:

Track Ultra WA Facebook Group

Australian Running Calendar