48 hour race

Let’s be honest: the field in this year’s Sri Chinmoy 48 Hour Track Race, which doubled as the AUTRA National 48 Hour Championships might not be considered as world-class. In part this was due to the fact the AIS Athletics Track has fallen out of its certification timeframe (though it is still the same track on which numerous certified National and World Records have previously been set, in this very race).

And let’s continue with the honesty: the race may have been the better for it. While we love to see the élite in action and admire the excellence, effort and sheer transcendence of their performance, it is refreshing, humbling and inspiring to witness the depth of aspiration, courage and commitment of those who may never dream of any record, who are not striving to be best in the world, but to be the best of themselves.

48 hours of shared intense struggle, focussed willpower, deepening yearning and soaring dreams inevitably reveal something precious in us all, especially in what we share as human souls eagerly, even desperately searching for something purer, sweeter, finer, more expansive, freer, more authentic, lasting and liberating than our day-to-day mundane existence. 48 hour runners are warriors, adventurers, explorers, seekers of truth through transcendence – but above all, they are lovers. For only love can drive us to such lengths, heights and depths in pursuit of our goals. And to see love in action, brings forth our own love for our precious world and for humanity, our extended family.

The awards for the race were presented by Anyce ‘Kip’ Melham, in recognition of two extraordinary achievements: Anyce has now completed 32 Sri Chinmoy 24 Hour Races, and 5 Sri Chinmoy 48 hour races in Australia since 1984. He is now also the World Record holder for the longest span of time – 44 years and 11 months – between his first 100 Mile performance within 24 hours (in 1980), and his most recent. Congratulations Anyce, you are the true Champion not only of our admiration, but especially of our hearts. You epitomise the nobility, generosity, grace, courage, kindness and boundless goodwill of the true ultra-runner, inner and outer.

Is it a sign that ultra runners are a dying breed, or simply that ‘older’ runners are toughened through experience and wisdom? Of the top 3 placings in the 48 hour, the winner (and 2026 AUTRA National 48 Hour Male Champion) Ingo Ernst from Canberra (271.125km) represents the Male 50-59 category, while 2nd placed Anyce Melham (257.051km) and 3rd placed Phil Ryan (250.053km) are from the even more rarefied atmosphere of the Male 60-69s.

Next home, and 4th outright, was the indefatigable Hayley Cuttle, winning the title of AUTRA National 48 Hour Female Champion with 243.465km, just reward for a lifetime of giving her all, cheerfully and unreservedly, while spreading happiness, optimism and confidence all around her.

After Hayley came our noble ambassador from Singapore, Yuen Cheng Yong with 235.91km (2nd M50-59), ahead of Michael Coughlan (3rd M50-59) with 214km. Jasmin Kientzel came through the 48 hours shining after enduring some difficult patches, claiming 2nd place in the women’s race with 209.282km. The top placed Male Under 50 was 48 hour debutant, Luke Bosustow who clocked 202.45km, just ahead of 3rd placed woman, the dauntless Kris Ryan with a round 200km.

24 hour race

First staged in 1983 in Adelaide, the Sri Chinmoy 24 Hour Race is the longest-running track race in Australia, and one of the longest-running in the world. From Adelaide to Brisbane to Sydney to Campbelltown, the race now calls Canberra and the AIS Athletics Track home.

A welcome feature of running events of all distances in recent years, and especially in the ultra world, has been the steady rise in participation of women, so to see a field of entirely men line up for this year’s 24 hour race was something of an anomaly, like a hark back to the ‘70s. Nevertheless, the blokes who toed the line gave their all. While the earth rotated once around its axis, time and space were reduced to the stage of this 400 metre track nestled amidst gum trees and birdsong. Upon this stage, through their struggles and triumphs, their smiles and tears, 7 runners presented us with an inspiring allegory of the journey we all must travel, a journey known as life, each runner playing his role to perfection.

Joffrid Mackett never misses this race, and today added to his trophy collection the 1st placed finisher in the Male 50-59 with 80.183km, a distance he covered, as though bearing some of the excess burden of the world, wearing a 10 kilo pack upon his back.

Each runner contributed his own unique approach, personality and character. Wee-Sian Soon surprised himself in his first outing of 24 hours, finishing with 123.412km for 6th place, behind Jonno Healey’s 131.875km in 5th. 4th and 3rd place were not far apart, with Alexander Bond (136.471km) and Thomas Dano (139.139km), each entertaining us with their wholehearted efforts. Gaining valuable experience each year, Nathan Queripel broke the 200km barrier and his own Personal Best to achieve 2nd place with an impressive 201.498km.

Ben Wilson arrived in Canberra with Very Big Wraps and considerable expectation, having won the famous and hotly contested “Coast to Kosci” 240km ultra race last November at his first attempt. Up front and running his own race from the outset, Ben was an exemplar of calm, determination, focus, humility and controlled power through which he accomplished a hugely impressive “A” qualifying distance of 242.597km, joining a stellar list of past Champions of the Sri Chinmoy 24 Hour race.

12 hour race

The most exciting racing of the Festival was on display in the 12 hour event, its surprisingly engrossing drama keeping spectators and supporters on the edge of our metaphorical seats. From the outset, there were 2 breakaway contenders for the title of Overall Champion: Tom Allen and Carrie Gleeson.

Richard Crane took the win in the Male 60-69 with 42.8km – a marathon plus one lap. In the Male 50-59, Yin Shan blithely covered 91.597km for 2nd place, with Daniel Ridgeway winning this category while claiming 2nd male overall with a cast iron run of 113.187km. In the women’s race, Kristy Janszen eclipsed the 100km barrier with a strong and impressive 100.807km and 3rd place, with ever-improving youngster Maia Nagy claiming 2nd place with her consistent and calm 105.916km.

Meanwhile at the pointy end of the pack, Carrie Gleeson passed the 100km mark in 8:57:51, just 1.5 laps ahead of Tom Allen, who looked up for the chase. Of course each runner has their own personal goal and is running their own personal race against themselves, their dreams and demons contending for an inner victory. But a race is a race, and with 3 hours for this drama to unfold and both runners looking strong and determined, we watched in wonder as the inner power, strength and character of both runners grew with each willed stride and shone more brightly on each determined face. Just as it takes 2 to tango, so it takes 2 to make an epic race. Each time Tom ran past the drinks station, it looked like he was surely on track to make up the gap; each time Carrie swept by, all thoughts of Tom potentially catching her were obliterated. Carrie held her nerve and her form brilliantly and spectacularly, sprinting the final lap to victory with 133.136km, with Tom an equally impressive gladiator, tallying 132.122km when the siren called time. Thank you both – and to the entire 12 hour field – for this unforgettable and moving performance!

6 hour race

Having carried injuries around for far too long, Yiannis Eliopoulos targeted this race for months as his come-back to competitive running. Always a cheerful and encouraging helper at so many races in recent times, it was a delight to see Yianni in front of stage, where he offered an inspired, wholehearted performance to claim the race with a commanding 72.074km. A focussed Joe Ward needed to complete a ‘fitness test’ by covering 10km/hr which he calmly accomplished with his smooth 2nd placing 62.306km. Tom Goodhew completed the men’s podium finishers with a polished 60.243km, while Brendan Brady led the Male 50-59 by covering 54.33km to win his category.

Julia Murphy blazed around the track for the first few hours, throwing herself at the pride of distance and only slowed ultimately by a few physical challenges, winning the women’s competition and taking 4th outright with 55.512km, ahead of the poised Neredah Brogan with 50.671km in 2nd. Michelle Grocock took the Female 50-59 with her well organised 44.926km.

1 hour race

The inaugural Sri Chinmoy 1 Hour Track race drew a cosy field of just 6 runners, representing 4 different countries and 3 continents! Because it has never been staged before, each category winner now holds the official course record for this race – at least for one year …

Our newly crowned course record holders are:

Male 80 and Over – Eric Wainwright, 7.293km

Female 50-59 – Jane Falkenburg, 5.575km

Female Under 50 – Preetidutta Thorpe, 10.362km

Male Under 50 – Sarankhuu Jargal, 13.047km

Congratulations and gratitude to all participants in all the varied events of the Sri Chinmoy 48 Hour Track Festival for 2026, and to their helpers, supporters and spectators!