Dipali Cunningham was inaugurated into the newly renamed Australian Ultra and Trail Runners Association (AUTRA) Hall of Fame in May 2024. She joins 17 other distinguished Australian ultra runners and is the 5th female to receive this honor.
Dipali Cunningham has a distinguished ultra-distance running career. During her long career, she has clocked over 30,000km. She won the Self-Transcendence 6-Day Race every year between 1998-2015. Other notable achievements include:
- 2001 - set 6 Day Road World Best of 821.862km. (510 miles)
- 1997 1000 Mile Race-First Place (Australian record) - 13 days+20:18:40
- 1998 women's world best on the road for six days with 504 miles.
- 2001 women's world record on the road for six days with 510 miles.
- 2004 women's age group 45-49 world best for six days with 479 miles.
- 2009 women's world best on the road for six days with 513 miles
- Dipali currently (Aug 2024) holds open Australian records for the 500-mile, 1000-mile and 6-day.
After the award ceremony during the AURA AGM, Dipali gave full credit to Sri Chinmoy for her running achievements., She said she didn’t run for records “but for Self-Transcendence and with a child-like heart, just as Guru taught”.
“Go beyond, farther beyond!
Do not limit yourself
By comparing yourself with others
Or even with your own self.”
– Sri Chinmoy
According to the AURA Hall of Fame website,
“Australia can be proud of its ultra running heritage and very accomplished ultrarunners. AURA has been recognizing these runners by inducting them into the AURA Hall of Fame, a practice initiated in 2004.”
Video of Award Ceremony
https://vimeo.com/1003710747
Further reading
- AUTRA article by Annabel Hepworth
- AUTRA Hall of Fame website
- Dipali Cunningham at Sri Chinmoy Races