AURA 48HR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Kate Dzienis • March 31, 2021

The Sri Chinmoy 48hr Track Festival, ACT from 26-28 March doubled up as the AURA 48hr National Championships with runners kicking off the event at 10am on the Friday.

AURA’s very own president Ewan Horsburgh was entered for the 48hr and managed 866 laps to claim 1^st Male with 346.546km. Not far behind him was AURA NSW state representative Stephen Redfern from Engadine who took 2^nd Male with 326.441km, but it didn’t stop there.

It was a complete AURA podium finish, with AURA’s vice president Matthew Eckford holding on for 3^rd Male after 689 laps and a total of 275.649km.

First Female in for the 48hr was AURA’s Cheryl Symons from Murrumbeena, Vic who completed 805 laps and a total of 322.352km. Her achievements not only saw her take the top spot for the women, but she was also 3^rd Overall.

Legendary AURA member Nikki Wynd from Lysterfield, Vic took 2^nd Female with 762 laps and 304.906km whilst 3^rdFemale saw the podium blocks complete the AURA circle, with Allicia Heron from Theodore, ACT secure 665 laps and a total of 266.139km.

With all male and female podium standings seeing AURA members take the titles, the same results applied for the AURA 48hr National Championships.

What a stellar effort by all!

Eckford said the main goal he had coming into the 48hr was to not go out too hard.

“It was all about racing conservatively from the start and ensuring I’d be there at the end,” he said.

“I’ve had a lot of big or bust, go hard or go home races, and I wanted to properly finish the 48hr and not be broken afterwards so I ran, walked, slept, ate and really embraced the opportunity to be out on the track doing what I love with the people I love doing it with.

“I know I don’t have the mongrel in me anymore to grind out and mentally push hard for what’s needed to get the big totals, so my ‘why’ from last year and onwards has shifted to simple enjoyment and gratitude over performance.

“275km in 48hr doesn’t sound as good as 275km in 24h but it was nice to finish on the podium with great mates Ewan and Stephen who had inspiring performances.”

Wynd said the race was a chance to get back into doing what she loved.

“For me the 48hr was a chance to get back to doing what I love after so many races being cancelled in 2020 due to Covid,” she said.

“I soaked up the atmosphere and loved sharing the track with all the other runners; I was happy with my performance and total especially after a good 6hrs off the track Friday night as I was unable to keep any food or fluid down.

“The race organisers Sri Chinmoy were absolutely wonderful. They put on a fantastic event. Well done to runners, crew and race organisers.”

President Horsburgh said it was fantastic to be able to go out and race again at the event.

“After last year’s race was cancelled two days before and not being unable to run a single ultra in 2020 as my races were all postponed, cancelled or border locked I was grateful to be able to participate again,” he said.

“This was my first 48hr race and proved to be a challenging format.

“The hardest part was getting enough sleep at the right time to be able to keep moving forward. The support of the crew and my mates on the track helped me get through a tough second day with a satisfying debut.

“As the first Australian Championship event for the year it was great to see the new banners flying and so many AURA shirts out on the track.”

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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