It was a grand-slam style event as 1,900 participants mastered the trails at the Margaret River Ultra Marathon 80km and 42km races over the weekend on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th May 2024 in south-west Western Australia.
As described by Event Director Sam Maffett; “There’s no greater equaliser than an ultra marathon… to see how people from all walks of life have come together to conquer and achieve the unthinkable: 80km, on foot, in a single day – it really is special!”
The point-to-point course was held along the breathtaking Cape to Cape coastline from Hamelin Bay, through to the finish line at Howard Park Wines in Cowaramup. 350 individual competitors ran the 80km ultra marathon; whilst 1,150 runners participated as part of a relay team of 2 to 5 members covering 10-20km each.
Reigning female champion Jayme Bergman of Esperance WA went back-to-back claiming victory in the 80km race in a time of 7:45:56, lapping up every bit of the challenge that ultra running gives her.
“I really felt the expectation of wearing #1 and although I was slightly faster than last year which is awesome, it was just so hard too; harder than I remembered.” Said Bergman.
“I chipped away the race the same as last year; it was almost a carbon copy with Petra (Jerejian) too,” continued Bergman. “I came into check point 3 after Petra but this year I had a great transition and I came out first which gave me the boost I needed to try put some space between us and just keep going!”
The in-form runner was also 2nd overall on the day and has also clocked up victories across the country, coming off another win at Rapid Ascent’s Surf Coast Century 100km race held in Victoria last September.
Petra Jerejian was second to Bergman in a repeat of the 2023 race finishing just over 10 minutes behind in 7:58:43; whilst Kirsten Buist was third in 8:07:11 – with both showing just how strong the female presence is in ultra running of late.
Line honours were up for the taking in the men’s field with eventual winner Josh Tighe coming through strongly to clock a time of 7:19:42.
“It was only in the last five minutes of the race did I realise I was going be first over the line!” exclaimed Tighe. “Everything hurts but I’m really happy to take the win!”
Andrew Walker came in second, and Simon Coxhead was third with just 20 seconds between them in times of 7:51:23 and 7:51:43.
The 80km capacity field sold-out within a record breaking 27 hours of opening entries in October last year cementing its’ reputation as one of Australia’s most popular and in-demand ultra trail races.
NEW to the program this year was the 42km trail marathon held on Sunday which also saw a capacity field of 400 individual runners. The course started at Yallingup Beach heading south along the Cape to Cape track to the same finish at Howard Park Winery.
Ben Leeson and Kate Baker were the inaugural winners in times of 3:48:23 and 4:07:24, both absolutely delighted with the new course and distance as part of the event.
“The course is equally tough and fantastic; I’m usually a road runner so it’s nice to find these new trails,” said Baker. “It was continuously undulating; the ups and downs were as tough as each other but yes, I couldn’t do it without my family who sacrifice a lot so I can achieve my dreams.”
Catching his breath, Leeson said “I really liked leg 2 and 3 on the course, that winding single track is just awesome!”
Joining the more serious solo runners over the weekend was a huge contingent of 80km relay teams who eluded enthusiasm from the course itself and later at the finish line; with many teams returning year after year.
“Teams bring so much atmosphere to the place!” said Maffett.
Team Ogging Squad 1 was the first relay team to finish the 80km course on Saturday, obliterating their previous course record from 2022 to clock an extremely impressive time of 5:22:11!
Team members included Lachie Tweedie, Reece Harris, Nick Thompson, Jonathan Sammut and Agostino Zurzolo.
“Nick did all the calculations pre-race so we knew we were in for a fast course with a bit of a buffer too; and yeh it worked out great!” said Tweedie.
“But this place and the views are just amazing! There were times on course where I could just look around and think I’d love to stop and take a photo; but we did come here to race and yeh win,” said Thompson.
The unique landscape kept runners buzzing from start to finish, as the courses wound their way through tall karri tree forests, coastal trails, beaches and bluffs with sweeping views across the magical Margaret River region.
80km competitors finished well into Saturday night at Howard Park Wines; with festivities continuing on Sunday with the 42km trail marathon and official presentations for both races.
A 2km Kids Run was also held on Sunday morning prior to presentations with over 100 taking part.
Event organisers Rapid Ascent have a self-imposed entry limit to preserve the competitor experience on each race day, with the event consistently reaching participant capacity months out from race day.
Event organisers Rapid Ascent were once again ecstatic with the weekends’ races, particularly the camaraderie between all runners and supporters.
“Thank you all for making this a weekend to remember; there’s something about the running community that feels like one big happy family,” said Maffett.
“The joy that eluded from the runners themselves, and those on sidelines is why we just love this event; and why we feel truly honoured by the enthusiasm displayed year after year.” Continued Maffett.
The 2025 Margaret River Ultra Marathon will be held in early May with a confirmed date to be communicated in the coming weeks. 2025 entries will open in October, with the races expected to reach capacity.
Further event information can be found on the Margaret River Ultra Marathon website www.MRUltramarathon.com.au or www.facebook.com/RapidAscentUltraRunningEvents
RESULTS – 80KM Ultra Marathon:
Top 3 Male
- Josh Tighe (WA) 7:19:42
- Andrew Walker (WA) 7:51:23
- Simon Coxhead (WA) 7:51:43
Top 3 Female
- Jayme Bergman (WA) 7:45:56 (last year 7:49:01)
- Petra Jerejian (WA) 7:58:43
- Kirsten Buist (WA) 8:07:11
Winning Relay Team
- Ogging Squad 1 5:22:11
(Team Members: Lachie Tweedie, Reece Harris, Nick Thompson, Jonathan Sammut and Agostino Zurzolo)
RESULTS – 42KM Trail Marathon:
Top 3 Male
- Ben Leeson 3:48:23
- Daniel Colley 3:49:49
- Joel Gray 3:51:35
Top 3 Female
- Kate Baker 4:07:24
- Ariarn Huston 4:29:00
- Georgia Seed 4:41:37
2024 FULL RESULTS – VIEW HERE >>
