Australia

Jodie Oborne is one of Australia’s best ultrarunners. She is one of the most committed runners around, training hard, racing hard, but also giving back to the running community regularly. She is an an inspiration to the many she runs with around Brisbane showing that having a family is no impediment to being the best she can be and achieving great things.

Her outstanding results in 2015 speak for themselves:

•Represented Australia in the 24 hour World Championships finishing 6th overall with 230.244km (World A Standard).

•Represented Australia in the 100km World Championships running 100km in 8:34:45.

•At the 24 hour World Championships she achieved a number of Australian Age Records W40-44 for 100 miles, 200km & 24 hours.

•Ranked 2nd for 12 hours and 6th for 24 hours internationally.

•Ranked 1st for 12 and 24 hours, 4th for 6 hours, 4th for 100km and 7th for 50km in Australia.

LENGTH OF TIME TRAINING WITH MILE 27?
2 years

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN RUNNING ULTRAMARATHONS?
4 years

HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INTERESTED IN THE SPORT?
It started with the Comrades Marathon in South Africa. I ran regularly with friends who went, or had been, and they would come back in June each year with so many great stories about their experiences I decided it was something I had to experience for myself.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE RACE SO FAR?
This is so hard to answer because each race is a unique experience, even the ones you do again. I can’t say I have a favourite. I do really enjoy team events and representing your country is pretty special. The Comrades Marathon is up there as a one of my favourites.

WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS FROM A RACE?
So many races, so many great memories. The latest great memory was witnessing Kirstin Bull breaking the Australian 100km record at the 100km World Championships in The Netherlands.

WHAT DO YOU FEEL HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST ULTRAMARATHON ACHIEVEMENT SO FAR?
Finishing 6th in the 24 Hour World Championships in Turin, Italy in 2015. I am currently ranked 6th in the World in 2015 for 24 hours and remarkably 38th all time for 24 hours.

WHAT IS ON YOUR RACING BUCKETLIST?
An Australian Open Record, Coast to Kosciuszko, A 24 Hour World Championships team medal, Another Comrades Marathon Up Run.

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNT FROM ULTRAMARATHONS? WHAT HAVE THEY TAUGHT YOU ABOUT LIFE AND YOURSELF?
It’s hard, like life, it owes you nothing and requires a lot of hard work and sacrifice. When you think you are getting tired, you’ve still got miles left in you. An ultra marathon is the human spirit conquering self-limiting beliefs, overcoming obstacles and reaching its full potential. There is no room for excuses. When you’re running it’s just you and the road, it’s just you, your training, your preparation and your mindset. Every event is a learning experience.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF TRAINING?
Long runs, particularly on trails, when the running is simply easy some days I feel like I could run all day. Running with friends.

HOW DO YOU FEEL YOU HAVE BENEFITED FROM TRAINING WITH MILE 27?
I don’t think I would have pushed myself as hard or achieved the results that I have. I also believe I am yet to run my best.

WHAT IS THE ONE TIP YOU WOULD GIVE A FELLOW ATHLETE TO HELP THEM ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE OF RUNNING AN ULTRA MORE?
Let your faith be bigger than your fear.

WHAT IS YOUR NEXT RACE?
Melbourne Oxfam Trailwalker and the World 100km Championships.