Triple Crown + Ascent Collective

Rapid Ascent conducts some of Australia’s largest and most sought-after trail and ultra running races. To complete one event is a major accomplishment; to complete multiple events is nothing short of phenomenal.

We have created the following recognition programs for those who have completed multiple events and become trail running icons!

The 3 ultra glasses

Index to text below:

How to choose your challenge?

  • More of a medium distance runner who loves an adventure?  The NEW Ascent Collective is for you.
  • Are you a long distance runner?  Aim for the Triple Crown, then the Jewel.

The Ultra Running Triple Crown

This is our original ‘O.G.’ award – and is awarded to anyone who completes the long course option at these 3 premium ultra events:

The Triple Crown is a bucket list objective for those brave enough to commit to the three events, and strong enough to make it to the finish line. Nearly 200 runners have achieved this impressive achievement – will you be one of them? (See prerequisites below).

Triple Crown finishers receive:

  • An exclusive Patagonia fleece embroidered with the event logos to wear with pride
  • Your name listed on the Triple Crown ‘honour-board’ listed on the website for each event
  • Your name engraved on the Triple Crown shield that is displayed at each event
  • Your name forever in the Rapid Ascent history books

Recipients are presented with their awards (and huge kudos!) at the presentations at their final event.

The Jewel in the Crown

Triple Crown finishers have the opportunity to add a ‘jewel’ to your triple crown with additional recognition given to those who complete the Run Bibbulmun Track Stage Race – Karri long course.

Run Bibbulmun is a true ‘diamond’ event in terms of scenery, challenge and camaraderie – those who complete the long course race will earn a ‘jewel for your crown’ as added recognition over and above the Triple Crown achievers. (See prerequisites below)

Jewel in the Crown finishers will be acknowledged by:

  • Presented with an official Jewel in the Crown certificate signed by the race directors
  • A new Run Bibbulmun pin for your triple crown jacket
  • A golden name plaque on the Triple Crown shield (all other names are silver)
  • Your name highlighted on bold on the event websites

The Ascent Collective

The Ascent Collective brings together runners who’ve completed all five of Rapid Ascent ultra runs. United by grit, adventure and a love of wild places, this is the pinnacle of the Rapid Ascent journey.

We are the Ascent Collective.
We run not for accolades, but for the calling of wild places.
We’ve crossed coastlines, deserts, forests, mountains and ancient country—one stride, one stage, one finish line at a time.
We believe in challenge over comfort, camaraderie over competition, and the deep satisfaction of seeing a trail through to its end.
We carry the dust of the Larapinta, the rain of the Bibbulmun, the salt of the Surf Coast, the forests of Margaret River, and the cliffs of Tasmania in our legs and our hearts.
We are shaped by every ascent, every descent, every long day when perseverance mattered more than pace.
We are a fellowship of finishers – a community forged in effort, adventure, and the shared pursuit of something greater.
This is our journey.
This is our collective.
This is The Ascent Collective.

How do I become a member?

Complete either the long or short course option at all 5 of Rapid Ascent’s ultra and stage race events, not including being a member of a relay team:

Membership privileges – Ascent Collective members will receive:

  • A Patagonia Refugio 30lt backpack with the Ascent Collective logo
  • Receive an Ascent Collective membership pin – to put on your triple crown jacket or other apparel
  • Ascent Collective membership status identified on all race number plates for all future Rapid Ascent events
  • Priority entry to any Ascent Collective event in the future
  • Be profiled on the Ascent Collective page on all event websites with image and bio

The Ascent Collective is achievable by a wider range of runners and acknowledges those who have shown years of commitment, resilience, and a passion for exploring Australia’s most remarkable landscapes on foot.

We are a fellowship of finishers, a community forged through shared effort, big journeys and a deep love of the trail.

Award prerequisites

TRIPLE CROWN PREREQUISITES

  • All 3 events must be completed within a 5 year period: Margaret River Ultra 80km, Run Larapinta Malbunka, Surf Coast Century 100km
  • Run the long course option at each event

JEWEL IN THE CROWN PREREQUISITES

  • All 4 events must be completed within a 5 year period: Margaret River Ultra 80km, Run Larapinta Malbunka, Surf Coast Century 100km, Run Bibbulmun – Karri long course.
  • Run the long course option at each event
  • Events may be completed in any order (ie. you don’t need to do Run Bibbulmun last)

ASCENT COLLECTIVE PREREQUISITES

  • All 5 events must be completed within a 8 year period
  • Races can be done in any order
  • Being a member of a relay team at either the Surf Coast Century or Margaret River Ultra does not count
  • If a runner has already completed the Triple Crown (irrespective of when) they have an additional 3 years to complete the final 2 events (ie. must be completed by December 2028).
  • Ascent Collective membership may include additional / alternative events in the future

Runners must let Rapid Ascent know (via [email protected]) when you are approaching the completion of your Triple Crown, Jewel or Ascent Collective with at least 1 month’s notice (so we can present your awards on the day!).

Honour Board

Jewel in the Crown inductees:

Scott BeamsKate CushJacqui TolSandra HeriotMaria Lissenberg
Lonneke KefalasShane AntrobusGrant WallaceShannon LissenburgAlan Williams
Esther WelshTristan McCahonIan NicholDavid ClarkVictoria Cole
Joanna MaidmentCarina HemmersCaroline OverbeekLorna BadeCerina Meredith
Michael DonovanHui HarveyDarian Cairns-CowanErica RusbridgeDamian Harrison
Daniel BullTri LeMark FalkinghamSteve AdamsMichelle Norton
Karena West

Triple Crown finishers:

Deb NichollRowan BrookesCerina MeredithAnge ChampionLouise Edwards
Graham ChalliceSarah NivenDamian BowdenCarl KoudelkaPauline Overington
Miriam HeroldLinda BaadeIan WestawayDarian Cairns-CowanZara Palise
Erica RusbridgeLyal DouglasLeif ChristensenMatthew WoodElyse Cripps
Teresa WoodJason RawlingsNgan HarwoodLinda WhiteTodd Lakeman
Adrian HudsonLes CorsonShannon LissenburgGeraldine MillardGeoff Quinton
Asha MahasuriaSteven ScottTania WilleyAmy CurrieKate Cush
Deb GaleLucinda ScottScott BeamsJoanna MaidmentLorna Bade
Kirsten KellyEmmeline FisherJacqui TolCamille NichollsMaria Lissenburg
Meredith PrettyHeather DuffyFelicity PidgeonScott McGloneDiane Breant
Steve WhalleyAnnMarie DarcyShayne EganMatt MenheereSusha Fisher
Gayle CowlingJackie WelchBruce WalpoleFiona SmeatonLinda White
Geoff QuintonPhillip HickeySteve GoossensStewart TomsWilliam Erskine
Patrick MapleShane AntrobusRobert FluryGrant WallaceCasie East
Amanda CraigJacqui NixonSheree CottellSandra HeriotPaola Flury
Michelle GrocockAlec LennonDavid ClarkIan LeaJamie Blair
Luke MiddletonNatasha ClancySharon ChetwyndVanessa MecanovicDuncan Gillis
April MorganAriarn HustonEsther WelshGemma RuddickGuy McLaren
Jeremiah MierkeJo CollinsLonneke KefalasMandy HobbsMark Falkingham
Megan ScottMelanie BartonSally TheobaldCorey NeiraChrissy Warman
Daniel GouldDan BennettKatherine BooyDayle OlsonBarb Eastwood
Emma MorganJoanne VitoneJodi WhelanShayne HallsMarie Heitz
Jennifer DowlingWill ErskineMichael DonovanTracey DonaldDerek Lawn
Lauren Forcey (shay)Karl ForceyStephen Renehan Daniel BullWill Erskine
Tristan McCahonKimberly SmithJacinta HomannMichael BurnsNicole Bourke
Jacqui GooderhamHarmony WaiteJuliet KingCarina HemmersTri Le
Zack BeasleyLiane MaraldiJennifer RitossaIra GibbsFran Lang
Nicola HibbertRafal NaskretJames LeIan NicholVictoria Cole
Damian HarrisonIan RobinsonMark Oughton-NichollsJames GrahamLee kemp
Phil LambAlex KingTim GaddGeoff BarnesSimon Siebert
Gareth AddyTroy WilsonCaroline OverbeekJacqui NixonPatricia Dawson
Bec BarnesKatrina HayesHui HarveyLisa ChanAmber Wood
Holly RansonVeronica ParkerAlan WilliamsNick PingAndy Claughton
Mryanne SykesLuke SimsJulie AzzopardiMichael ConstableHelen Heaver
Michael PalmerKim MazarakiKirsten MazarakiKerryn BruceGraham Merrett
Hendrik WijayaDavid HendrickxKarena WestDiana ZanninoDeborah Warren
Michelle NortonSteve Adams