Merimbula runner Steph Auston has continued her success ‘across the ditch'.
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Competing in the second leg of the Ultra Trail World Tour, Auston ran in the Tarawera ultra-marathon last weekend.
Auston finished the 102.4km event in second place after a calculated run taking nine hours, 49 minute and 22 seconds, about 20 minutes shy of star US runner Courtney Dauwalter.
Auston thanked her mum Meagen, who had travelled over with her as support crew and Auston said she was also grateful for support from family and friends at home.
Athletes from more than 40 countries toed the line for the race which covered roads, trails, thermal landscapes and a final dash through a majestic redwood forest.
Auston went into the event as one of the more fancied runners despite this being her debut over the formidable distance and facing up against some established stars of the sport.
The final few months of 2018 were frustrating after being sidelined by a stress fracture in her foot which confined her to a boot and forcing a strict regime of cross training to ensure she kept fitness.
However, a return to regular training quickly saw Auston bounce back to form with a dominating win in Victoria’s 56km Two Bays Ultra in January giving her plenty of confidence heading into this race.
Club officials said it was a fantastic effort by Auston, who continues to stun with her abilities across long distance events.
And there is no rest yet, with a packed calendar for the Sapphire Coast Runners (SCR) athlete in the next few months.
Auston is heading to Lake Crackenback this weekend to tackle the 50km Snowies Trail race along with other SCR members who will compete in events ranging from 11km to the 50km Ultra.
A fortnight later on March 9 she will look to defend the Six Foot Track Marathon title she won in 2018, which some followers of the trail running scene see as the unofficial Australian Championship.
The month of March will round out with Auston teaming up with some other stars of the Australian trail running scene to take on the 100km Oxfam Trailwalker Australia in Melbourne.
Donations can be made to the cause by visiting trailwalker.oxfam.org.au/my/team/34229 or by contacting the Sapphire Coast Runners.
Auston will also host a run clinic at Merimbula’s Ford Oval on March 4 from 5.30pm.
Entry is a gold coin donation with the proceeds also going to Oxfam.