IPSWICH ultra-runner Clay Dawson has returned from Bangkok with double silver, proudly captaining Australia to a podium finish at the Oceania 100km Championships.
Dawson, a teacher at Ripley Valley State Secondary College and a passionate advocate for his hometown, steered the Australian men’s squad to silver in the team category behind winners India. He also claimed individual overall silver, delivering one of the strongest international performances of his career.
He said leading the national team was both surreal and deeply meaningful.
“Such a whirlwind adventure! I’m so honoured to have been given the chance to not only wear the green and gold, but captain the 100k team this year,” Dawson said.
“I honestly expected to fare much worse, but knew that if us three Aussies finished we’d be a strong chance at a medal. I’m so fortunate my body exceeded expectations and I was able to achieve the individual result and a great team result too.”
From the outset, the team had set a bold goal: secure a medal – an ambition Dawson admits was “lofty”, but
one that bonded the group as they pushed through all 100km.
He praised teammates Michael “Hooksy” Hooker and Ben “BK” Kuang for their resilience, describing Kuang, the youngest of the trio, as having a “white hot” future in the sport.
Dawson credited team manager Ash Daniels as the linchpin of the campaign, praising his months of preparation and race-day support.
The result also provided redemption after the 2023 championships in Bengaluru, where Dawson was the only Australian male finisher but recorded his slowest 100km.
A decorated athlete, Dawson’s endurance achievements include national 100km titles in 2019 and 2021, back-to-back marathon wins in 2017, and a personal record-breaking 250km effort in the Trail to Triumph fundraiser last year.
As for what comes next, Dawson says recovery comes first, but with a B-Qualifier now secured for the 2026 World Championships, he hinted there may be more big goals ahead.
