Last a weekend, there was a mishap in a 100km ultramarathon event in Western Australia’s Kimberley region.
Two women, who were participating in the ultramarathon suffered burns to 80% of their body. One of them, Turia Pitt, is from Ulladulla on the NSW south coast.
The Kimberley Ultramarathon was part of the “Racing the Planet” series and consisted of rugged terrain between Kununurra and the El Questro Wilderness Park. Participants in the series compete in races staged in the world’s most remote wilderness locations. It was scheduled to take place from September 2 to 4, 2011.
However the race, which started at 8:30am on Friday, 2 September, was cancelled before the end due to a serious bushfire which flared up in section 3 of the course. Eleven competitors were in the area of the fire.
News articles on the story
- Sydney Morning Herald – Recovery sets tough course for burnt victims
- Courier mail – Race inferno: Burnt runners in fight for life
- Courier mail – Women critical after marathon mishap