*Photo is from True Grit 10km 2019. I have never competed in the Enduro and so this is the most relevant photo I have. 

With three sleeps to go until the 24hr Enduro Aussie Titles (Enduro) kick off in Lower Portland NSW, it is time to have a look at who is coming and who might make the podium this year. Enduro is the most competitive 24 hour OCR race in Australia, and each year attracts the best long distance OCR racers from across Australia (and also across the world-except not in 2021 due to COVID-19). Competitors complete as many laps of the 11km 30 obstacle course as they can in 24 hours. The course is a relatively flat mix of grassy plains and single track through the rocky eucalypt forest typical of the Hawkesbury River region. The forecast this year is a low of 13 overnight and highs of 27, so perfect enduro weather and most importantly not too cold at night.

Top performers in previous years

There was no Enduro in 2020 due to COVID-19. In 2019 there was a stacked female field because Enduro was the OCR World Championship event. The Top ten elite women were:

1.      Emilie Lindgren 12 laps

2.      Trish Eksteen 12 laps

3.      Erin Rost 12 laps

4.      Morgan Mckay 12 laps

5.      Hege Henriksen 10 laps

6.      Claire Burley 9 laps

7.      Maria Jankowska 7 laps

8.      Megan Sleswick 7 laps

9.      Stephanie Borowiec 3 laps

10.   (only 9 female competitors in elite)

The first Australian was Claire Burley. In the women’s field it is also important to look at age group performances. Nicole Fleming (F40-49) completed 10 laps and Kate Clark (F30-39) completed 9 laps putting them on par or in front of the top Australian elite performance that year.

Looking back at 2018, when the OCR World Champions were also held in Australia, the top ten elite women were:

1.      Allison Tai 12 laps

2.      Claire Burley 11 laps

3.      Krysty Davies 10 laps

4.      Emilie Lindgren 10 laps

5.      Hege Jeanette Henriksen 9 laps

6.      Janet Smith 8 laps

7.      Monique Hendy 8 laps

8.      Melanie Hackett 7 laps

9.      Sarah Watson 6 laps

The aussie women performed really well in 2018 with Claire completing an impressive 11 laps and Krysty Davies not far behind. In age group Laura Newton (F30-39) completed an impressive 10 laps which would have put her on or close to the elite female podium if she had entered that category.

In 2017 and in preceeding years, Enduro was the Aussie Titles rather than an international world championship. The top 10 women were:

1.      Krysty Davies 9 laps

2.      Kate Barsby 8 laps

3.      Zoe Sifonios 8 laps

4.      Olivia Bariatti 8 laps

5.      Wendy Fitzpatrick 7 laps

6.      Monique Hendy 7 laps

7.      Melanie Hackett 7 laps

8.      Tia Barker 7 laps

9.      Pauline Decoster 6 laps

10.   Michelle Lennon 6 laps

Krysty dominated the women’s field in 2017. Top three women in 2016 were Janet Smith (11 laps), Sarah Sargent (10 laps), and Tiffany Nissen (10 laps). In 2015 top three women were Sarah Sargent (9 laps), Kate Barsby (8 laps), Tiffany Nissen (8 laps). Finally, going back to 2014 the top three women were Leah Richardson (10 laps), Andrea Peebles (9 laps) and Emma Barlow (9 laps).

Women to watch 2021

The field will be limited in 2021 due to restrictions on international travel. Although it is possible there will be some New Zealanders, the kiwis have not had a big presence at Enduro in the past and so I wouldn’t expect them to take a sudden interest in 2021. In terms of interstate travellers, at the time of writing athletes from all states can come to NSW without having to quarantine on return, even those athletes from WA, SA and Tasmania, that tend to have the strictest border restrictions.

I’ll start by naming some top competitors who will not be attending in 2021. Krysty Davies and Janet Smith, both based in WA have a high chance of making the podium whenever they compete at endurance OCR events. However, Krysty is not competing in 2021 and I also believe Janet is not coming over. Claire Burley also has a great record at Enduro and if racing will be competing for a podium spot for sure. Claire has great range, performing strongly in short course OCR races in 2019 as well as being very strong in longer distances.

My top pick for women who are confirmed attendances is Robyn Koszta who is from the Greenhouse Mountains in Queensland (near Brisbane). Robyn has quietly been building her endurance repertoire the past two years. In 2020 she came first at the Spartan Gold Coast Ultra and 2^nd at the Mt Mee Marathon. Since then she has completed a huge training block for the 24hr Enduro including an 12 hour overnight training run in January to practice running and fuelling at night. Robyn’s other peak event for 2021 is the 100km Guzzler Ultra, and so she is well and truly focused on the long haul races. Although this will be her first 24hr Enduro, my money is on her to take the top spot.

I have also heard that Hannalise TB is returning after giving birth just over a year ago and is looking strong to potentially claim a podium spot. I also believe that Melanie Currey, who ordinarily competes in Age Group, would do well in the elite category, but as she is coming back from injury it is possible she will enter Age Group in 2021.

Given conditions are meant to be perfect this weekend, I would be expecting the top women to break 11 laps. However, each year the conditions, obstacles and course are slightly different. In 2021 racers will be using a rebranded torsion bar and often the carries use different types and weights of sandbag from year to year. These differences can add up over the laps, particularly if the females are carrying the same weights as the males, and so it is difficult to predict how many laps the top women will complete based on past performances.

Good luck to everyone competing, and if there is someone you think I have missed please comment below.