1000 expected for ultra 6 COLLIE RIVER VALLEY BULLETIN, FEBRUARY 9, 2023
AN ULTRAMARATHON planned for September is expected to bring about 1000 runners to Collie. The 100km Collie River Ultra will be part of the Perth Trail Series, which is a selection of trail running events in Perth and the south west. The ultra will take place on September 9 and 10. The event is new to the trail running calendar, and will be run along Wellington National Park’s Wiilman Bilya trail. At an information session at Black Diamond Lodge last Wednesday, Perth Trail Series organisers Melina Mellino
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and Vince Radford said the Collie River Ultra is expected to be one of the series’ largest events. “Nine months before this event, we’ve had more people sign up than we have for any other event,” Mr Radford said. It will be advertised in the eastern states, and it is expected runners will travel across the country to participate. “People will cross the Nullarbor for 100km events, and what Collie has is really special,” Mr Radford said. “It is one of the only events in WA that has the potential to bring people from over east.”
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One hundred people recently expressed their interest at an information session in Perth. Mr Radford said hundreds of people are expected to come to town, including runners and their support crews. “I imagine they’ll accommodate 100 percent of available accommodation in Collie, then everyone else will stay as close as possible,” Mr Radford said. He said the Collie Trail Fest, which is in April and organised by the Perth Trail Series, fills most of the town’s accommodation. The ultra marathon is expected to be even larger, he said. He explained the 100-kilometre solo runners have large support crews who will look to explore the town, and anyone travelling from interstate will arrive early to avoid travel weariness. “There is lots of spare time and space for people to explore. Many will probably
be coming to Collie for the first time,” he said. Wellington Dam is expected to be a major attraction, with hopes of the course taking runners across the famous bridge. Ms Mellino said help from volunteers and local clubs will be sought. “It takes a lot of people to run something like this - we get local clubs to help and we donate to them,” she said. “My whole mission is to get people out on the track and make it fun,” Ms Mellino said. Shire president Sarah Stanley attended last week’s information session and said she is excited for the event. “This is an opportunity to showcase what Collie has to offer across the nation and for our local businesses to think about new and innovative ways to provide them with a unique and fantastic experience they want to rave about to their friends and family,” she said.
Italiano secures her second fashions sash LOCAL Ashlee Italiano is crushing the Fashions on the Field (FOTF) world one stilettoed step at a time. Mrs Italiano recently won the Albany Racing Club’s Ladies’ Day FOTF event with a beautiful pink and green ensemble. In 2021, she won the Collie Race Club’s overall prize and went on to place second in the state titles at Ascot Racecourse. Mrs Italiano said the win in Albany would usually qualify for a spot in the state titles, however this year’s event was cancelled due to lack of funding. “It means nothing, but it was still a great experience,” she said. Mrs Italiano said the win in Albany was like winning at a “home away from home”, as her family has holidayed in the city for many years. “It was a beautiful cool day and it was really well organised,” she said. Despite the glamour of the hobby, Mrs Italiano said competing in FOTF does not need to be expensive. “My philosophy is that you don’t need to spend a lot of money to look good,” she said. “Your dress doesn’t need to be designer - if you love it, are confident and feel beautiful in it then wear it.” Mrs Italiano won her 2021 prizes with a dress from ASOS, and won in Albany with a dress from Shein. Both are budget-friendly companies. “Confidence shines more on a catwalk than any brand name,” she said. Mrs Italiano’s FOTF adventures have also taken her to Pinjarra, York, Narrogin and Mount Barker. She said she sticks to towns that are within driving distance so she can travel with her young family. Mrs Italiano and her husband Stephen have two daughters - Emily, aged three-and-a-half, and five-month-old Olivia. She said Stephen had a stroll on the catwalk in Albany, but it’s “not his cup of tea”. “He came to support, and we tagteamed with Olivia,” she said. “If it wasn’t for Stephen, I wouldn’t
BEST FOOT FORWARD: Ashlee Italiano in her stunning pink and green ensemble that won first place in the Albany Racing Club’s Ladies’ Day Fashions on the Field event. be able to go. It is so important to have your own time, and we support each other with that.” Mrs Italiano will compete in Pinjarra on February 18.
