2020 AURA AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Kate Dzienis • February 17, 2021

AURA is pleased to announce the winners of the 2020 AURA Awards.

Australian Female Ultra Runner of the Year For outstanding single or collective performances by a female.
Margaret Hadley, from Western Australia, had a great year in 2020, placing 1st overall with 116.620km in the Light Horse Ultra 12 Hour, 1st Australia Day Ultra 100km 9:08:24 (she ran the same race recently in January placing 2nd, setting a PB with 8:28:34), top female performance at Birdy’s Backyard Ultra 201.3km, 1st in the Salming Bibra LakeRunning Works Festival 50km.

A very consistent year of top performances.Congratulations.

Australian Male Ultra Runner of the Year For outstanding single or collective performances by a male.
Michael Hooker, also from Western Australia, has also had some outstanding results last year placing 1st in the Feral Pig Ultra 100mile in a time of 18:28:42. 1st at the Lark Hill 100K Dusk to Dawn Ultra in 7:54:27, 1st Australia Day Ultra 100km 7:27:03, 1st Yaberoo Trail Ultra 3:47:03 h, 1st 40hrs Birdys backyard.

A phenomenal year! Congratulations!

Helen Stanger Award For the greatest single best ultra running achievement by a female under the age of 60.
Annabel Hepworth from Sydney NSW is well known on the Australian Ultra circuit, but last year she became even more well known on the international ultra stage when she broke the Australian women’s record back in January 2020 running 1192.156km in the 10 day Across The Years in the USA. It was amazing to watch and follow her progress as she backed up day after day to be not only the first female, but 1st place Overall. This woman can run – and for a loooong time.

Well done on a spectacular achievement!

Bryan Smith Award For the greatest single best ultra running achievement by a male under the age of 60.

Chris Murphy from Airlie Beach Queensland took out the Big Dog’s International Last One Standing in October last year in a nail biting performance where he walked away with his first ever win in a running event, as the Australian Champion, setting an Australian record of 46 hours and 308km which is also an Australian record.

Congratulations Chris!

Young Female Ultra Runner of the Year For outstanding single or collective performances by a female under the age of 30.

Stephanie Auston from Merimbula NSW is a speedster over all distances and in 2020 she proved that once again she is a real talent to be reckoned with, placing 1st (3rd overall) Gold Coast 50km Road Race in a blistering 3:17:26 which was a race record and an Australian Female Record. She also placed 1st overall in the 64km Kuranda to Port Douglas.

Congratulations Steph, we look forward to watching your performances in the years to come.

Young Male Ultra Runner of the Year For outstanding single or collective performances by a male under the age of 30.

Benjamin Duffus from Brisbane QLD is another amazing young runner with a huge future. His 2020 was quieter race-wise for him than usual (like most!). He did still manage to squeeze a 2nd place in the Tarawera Ultra 50km and 4th place in the Guzzler Ultra 100km. However his most outstanding performance last year that earned him the nomination for this award was his 1st place in the Brisbane Trail Ultra 60km where he also set a new course record in 5:21:18. A mountain lover and beast on the hills, I know we will see much more of him in the future.

Congratulations Ben, bring on 2021.

Cliff Young Award For the greatest single best ultra running achievement by a male over the age of 60.

Barry McBride from Adelaide SA is a very passionate runner and coach and new grandfather!

He receives this award for his 2020 SA Track Championships appearance where he set the National M65 Age record for 100km in 9:58. We love his continued enthusiasm for the sport and he is a force to be reckoned with!

Never quit running Barry! We know you have more to give!

Shirley Young Award For the greatest single best ultra running achievement by a female over the age of 60.

Pam Muston from Canberra NSW is a deadset legend of the sport. At the age of 60 something she has just completed her 6th Coast 2 Kosci 240km (she has competed in 7 but withdrew at 183km in 2014). The 2020 running of this race saw Pam complete the race in horrendous conditions in 35hr55mins in 7th place. She also won her age and placed 7th in the Sri Chinmoy Trail 100km in 13:23, and placed 3rd and 1st age at the Narrabeen Allnighter 12 Hour with a total of 94.9km.

This grandmother and amazing runner never ceases to inspire female ultra runners and will continue to do so for many years to come.

Well done Pam.

Ultra Performance of the Year Award Nominated by and voted on by the AURA members

Annabel Hepworth, Across the Years 10 day performance 2019/2020

Congratulations to Annabel Hepworth for her win at the 2019/2020 across the years 10 day race in Arizona USA. This was an amazing performance from an Australian who not only became the 1st female finisher for the race but also was able to win the event outright with her total distance of 1192.156km

Along the way Annabel was able to achieve some amazing milestones at this event with joining the 1000km club. She also achieved during the race a 6 day split of 471.459miles (758km) which was a PR for Annabel and which gave her the best distance over a 6 day distance for the year.

A fantastic achievement and a great ambassador to the sport of multi-day racing for the Australian ultra community

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Australian Mountain and Trail Running Championships 2027

By Jin Kato • July 8, 2026

The world-class trails of Kunanyi/Mt Wellington will play centre-stage for one of the country’s fastest-growing sports, after the Kunanyi Mountain Run (KMR) was awarded the hosting rights for the first-ever combined Australian Mountain and Trail Running Championships (AMTRC). KMR was awarded the National Championships after a competitive bid process, overseen by the Australian Ultra and Trail Running Association (AUTRA) and Australian Athletics (AA). AUTRA President, John Claridge, said that KMR “offered everything we were looking for”. “World-class trails, proven event management and a passionate community. It provides the perfect stage for Australia's first combined National Trail Championships," he said. It’s expected that Australia’s elite mountain and trail running athletes, and support crew, will travel to Hobart, as they vie for a spot in the Australian team that competes at the 2027 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships. "This is a landmark moment for trail running in Australia,” Mr Claridge said. "We're excited about what this championship represents; not just next year, but for the future of trail running in Australia... helping grow the sport and inspire the next generation of trail runners." The 2027 AMTRC at KMR will be the first time that all championship distances have been held together, at the one festival. “It aligns us more closely with the way World Championships are presented, creating a stronger pathway for athletes and raising the profile of the sport,” Mr Claridge said. KMR, a 3-day trail running festival which has been held annually since 2022, expects to draw more than 1500 runners and hikers from across Tasmania, Australia and internationally next year. The AMTRC will be embedded within KMR’s existing event program, allowing elite athletes to compete for the national titles, while sharing the same spectacular trails and event-experience as recreational runners. “We’re honoured to have been selected as host,” KMR’s founder and director, Lincoln Quilliam said. “KMR continues to welcome runners, and hikers, of all abilities. From the elites who want to represent Australia on the world stage, the group of mates or work colleagues who run the team relay together, the mums returning to running after having a baby, as well as those who are trying trail running for the very first time,” Mr Quilliam said. Tasmanian runner, Jessica Collins, who has represented Australia, said it was exciting news for KMR, Tasmania and the sport. “This is such a great opportunity for Australian athletes. I’ve run many of the KMR events and know the courses and the terrain are on par with what we see at the World Champs,” she said. The City of Hobart has supported Kunanyi Mountain Run since its inception, and Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said she was “thrilled” with the news. “Events like this not only showcase the natural beauty of our region but also reinforce Hobart’s reputation as a vibrant destination for world-class outdoor experiences.” The 2026 edition of KMR brought in $4 million to the Tasmanian economy, generating more than 8000 bed nights across the state, which Alex Heroys, Chief Executive of Destination Southern Tasmania, said was a “significant return for the visitor economy”. “Kunanyi / Mount Wellington is one of Tasmania’s great natural assets, and the Kunanyi Mountain Run shows exactly how powerful events can be in driving regional tourism,” he said. “We have an epic mountain right on Hobart’s doorstep, an airport less than 30 minutes away, and a city that is well set up to welcome thousands of visiting athletes, support crews and spectators.” “This event also reinforces Tasmania’s growing reputation as a world-class trail running destination. With steep, technical trails and real mountain terrain, Kunanyi offers conditions that are genuinely comparable to what athletes will experience at the World Championships, making it an ideal place to compete, train and visit.” For more information: Kunanyi Mountain Run Dates: 19-21 March 2027 Pic credit: David Nolan & Ryan Slater