2026 Committee

2026 Committee

Kate Dzienis • April 30, 2026

meet your new committee for 2026


John Claridge

President

As President of the Australian Ultra and Trail Running Association, I am dedicated to the professionalisation and growth of endurance running across Australia. With over 25 years immersed in endurance sports, I bring a blend of experience and vision to AUTRA. From competing in trail, road, and track events to advocating for the sport's inclusion in major international arenas, I aim to steer the association through a transformative era. My focus is on deepening grassroots connections, delivering robust policy development, and strengthening our strategic ties with Athletics Australia, the IAU, and ITRA.

My vision is to ensure a clear, world-class pathway for our elite athletes — inclusive of all disciplines — while maintaining a vibrant and inclusive foundation for the recreational community that is the soul of our sport.


Jess Short

Vice President

Jess Short is an endurance athlete, strategic planner, and passionate advocate for the growth and accessibility of trail and ultra running in Australia. With over a decade of experience competing across trail, mountain, and hybrid endurance events, Jess brings both high-performance insight and a deep understanding of the community that underpins the sport.

Her racing background spans national and international events, including vertical kilometres, ultra trail races, and hybrid competitions such as Hyrox, where she has competed at a world championship level. Jess is particularly passionate about supporting women in endurance sport, with a focus on long-term health, performance, and participation.

Professionally, Jess works in strategic planning and infrastructure delivery within local government, leading complex projects that require stakeholder engagement, governance, and long-term vision. She brings this skillset to AUTRA, with a focus on strengthening organisational capability, improving communication and transparency, and supporting sustainable growth of the sport across all levels.

As Vice President, Jess is committed to fostering an inclusive, connected, and high-performing trail running community, while ensuring AUTRA continues to evolve as a strong, representative voice for the sport in Australia.


Tia Jones

Treasurer

Tia Jones has been a member of AUTRA for more than 14 years. Her involvement includes managing the records role for the past four years and serving on the Team Selection Committee for six years. Tia has also represented Australia in the 24hr event (twice) and 100km event (twice).

In her roles, Tia has developed strong working relationships with the IAU and gained thorough understanding of the IAU and World Athletics requirements for compliance.

She has put up her hand for the role of Treasurer to give back more to the running community and to AUTRA. Tia has shown dedication, attention to detail and integrity, and is meticulous with recording and filing. Her role as Treasurer allows Tia to take the responsibility of being custodian of membership funds seriously, ensuring transparency, legal compliance, and adherence to all financial reporting requirements.


Dan Symonds

Secretary

Dan Symonds returns to the 2026 Committee as Secretary. Since 2014, he has proudly contributed to AUTRA in various roles - as a state representative, international athlete, merchandise coordinator and IAU label officer.

His journey reflects a deep passion for ultra running, and he has brought fresh perspective and commitment to shape the sport for the future.


Jin Kato

Director of Events

I’m Jin and I’m excited to be your AUTRA Director of Events. I’m a trail runner through and through, and love getting out into the bush for freedom and adventure.

To me, signing up to events is all about adventure. These organised events let me experience things and reach places I couldn’t without the logistics, planning, safety and support of organisers.

Trail and ultra running is built on grassroots communities and volunteers, and I believe it’s vital to stay connected to our roots as the sport grows.

Excited to see you out on the trails and share many more adventures together soon.


Kevin Muller

Governance Officer

Kevin Muller has been involved numerous sporting teams as a participant, volunteer and administrator. He has been an ultra runner and AUTRA member since 2011. During this time he has completed over 140 ultra marathons and numerous shorter distance events throughout Australia and overseas.

Kevin is eager to bring his experience as an athlete and as a member of various committees to the role of AUTRA Governance Officer. He has a desire to give back to the sport and work with the AUTRA committee and members to continually improve governance within the association.


By Jessica Short July 22, 2026
Your voice matters. Help shape the future of our sport
By Kate Dzienis July 19, 2026
Race results for 2026 Southern Sydney Track Ultra, 3M3D, Ultra Adelaide and Boyne Valley 50.
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
By Jin Kato July 7, 2026
AUTRA are excited to announce our national championship events for 2027!
June 29, 2026
Greg Wilson recaps his time at the 2026 New Zealand 6 Day Ultra
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IN OTHER NEWS

By Jessica Short July 22, 2026
Your voice matters. Help shape the future of our sport
By Kate Dzienis July 19, 2026
Race results for 2026 Southern Sydney Track Ultra, 3M3D, Ultra Adelaide and Boyne Valley 50.
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
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