AUTRA News Report 10-07-2025

AUTRA News Report 10-07-2025

Kate Dzienis • July 10, 2025
  • Ultra-Trail Jervis Bay, NSW
  • Brisbane Trail Ultra, Qld
  • Freycinet Trail Run, Tas
  • Australian 24 Hour Track Invitational, ACT
  • Red Dirt Backyard Ultra, WA
  • Dead Cow Gully, Qld
  • Upcoming Events


WEEKLY NEWS REPORT FOR 10-07-2025

As always, we're continuously on the hunt for your stories and reports, so get those race reports and photographs in to ultramag@autra.asn.au with the following information: 

  • Word document, single spaced
  • Include the name of the event, the date and the location anywhere in the report (just a bullet point at the top is great)
  • Please attach photographs to the email – do not put images in the body of your Word doc. You’ll just get me emailing you back asking for the photos sent in the correct way!
  • As many photos as possible. With our new website, it’s now easier than ever to include a nice gallery in each race report
  • No PDFs please

And remember, it doesn’t have to be about an AUTRA-listed event specifically! You just have to be an AUTRA member for the 2025 year. Also too, if you’ve run in a non-AUTRA listed event anywhere on home soil or internationally, we’d love to include your race results and experience in our Member Updates, so please do reach out to us via email to kate.dzienis@autra.asn.au

If any corrections need to be made in any of the results listed below, please alert me via email.

Ultra-Trail Jervis Bay, NSW

Ultra-Trail Jervis Bay was held on 28 June and allowed runners to race through Booderee National Park with a mix of short sharp hills, technical trails and stretches of sand. Options for participants were a 106km Mega Trail (86 finishers), 53km Coastal Trail (321 finishers), 20km Coastal Burn and a 2.5km Kids Mini Ultra.

In the Men’s 106km, AUTRA’s very own George Knight took the top spot with a whopping time of 9:03:23 to claim 1st Male – an entire 1:18:56 ahead of 2nd Male finisher Luke Jeffrey (10:22:19). Third Male went to Jadan Halkett (10:46:20).

In the Women’s 106km, Lucy Holman took 1st Female (10:13:59), Joasia Zakrzewski took 2nd Female (10:59:45) and Eliza Crowe claimed 3rd (11:47:23).

Congratulations to all AUTRA members who ran in the 106km, including Juan Lotero (11:36:28/6th Male), Rosie Davies (12:38:19/4th Female), Jeremy Rankin (13:38:52), Veronika Kubacka (13:38:53), Daniel Murray (14:24:06), Shiree Yap (14:34:44), Stewart Pope (14:46:50), Johanna Ruiz (15:58:42), Ella Clark (16:39:02), Ramsay Banna (17:05:42), Emerson Hay (17:49:23) and Amy Hewitt (19:06:50).

In the Men’s 53km, podium finishes went to Will Draper (4:18:47), Matt Lewis (4:32:35) and Michael Hill (4:46:53).

In the Women’s 53km, top spots went to Anna Pillinger (4:39:20), Marijke Walshe (4:39:53) and Catherine Fulginiti (4:40:41).

Congratulations to all our members who raced in the 53km, including Ellen Bradley (4:51:55/4th Female), Ayako Kusui (5:26:33), Brad Phillips (5:31:08), James Dennett (5:44:03), Simone Hayes (5:49:50), Tony Williams (6:07:05), Karen Thompson (6:15:19), David Campbell (6:17:08), Melissa Stewart McSeveny (6:18:09), Annie Lane (6:35:23), Deborah Farhan (6:39:23), Grant Sherman (6:51:36), Camilla Arch (6:56:41), Ivana Iloski (6:58:38), Kym Russell (7:22:48), Graeme Shepherd (7:29:33), Catherine Froome (7:39:41), Tom Curry (7:39:51), Brad Boyle (7:49:55) and Annie van Tilburg (8:54:09).

In the Men’s 20km Coastal Burn, winners were named Jacob Lipari (1:23:10), Talen McMullan (1:26:28) and Benjamin Coakley (1:37:35).

In the Women’s 20km Coastal Burn, 1st Female was awarded to AUTRA member Lisa Krummer who secured a great time of 1:45:16. Second and 3rd Female spots went to Sophie Wilson (1:45:49) and Madeline Oke (1:47:53).

The full list of results can be found here on the event’s website.

Images: Ultra-trail jervis bay/FACEBOOK

Brisbane Trail Ultra, Qld

The Brisbane Trail Ultra was held on 28 June 2025 in Mt Coot-tha, Qld and on offer was a 20km (152 finishers) and 10km (33 finishers) for participants. This event was also classified as the Golden Trail National Series.

In the Men’s BTU20km, 1st Male went to Leo Peterson (1:30:33), whilst 2nd Male was awarded to AUTRA member Ben Duffus who secured the placing with a great time of 1:35:37. Third was awarded to Nathan Pearce (1:39:43).

In the Women’s BTU20km, the top spot went to Joanna Hepton (1:50:24) whilst AUTRA’s very own Zoe Manning secured 2nd Female with a finish time of 2:00:42. Third Female was awarded to Simona Brick (2:04:07).

In the Men’s BTU10km, podium finishes were awarded to Luke Davison (47:26), Nigel Smith (52:48) and Alastair Masterton (56:34). In the Women’s BTU10km, top spots went to Linda Hauns (1:08:56), Deanna Antoniolli (1:09:36) and Alexandra Tobin (1:10:11).

The full list of results can be located here on the BTU website.

Images: Brisbane Trail Ultra/Facebook

Freycinet Trail Run, Tas

The Freycinet Trail Run was held on 29 June 2025 at Freycinet National Park in Tasmania, and offered distances of 29km and 11km along exceptional track interspersed with pristine beaches.

In the Men’s 29km, top spots went to Angus Tolson (2:45:03), Alex Hunt (2:48:11) and Oliver Williams (2:59:10).

In the Women’s 29km podium positions were awarded to Mel Clark (3:26:05), Kate Pedley (3:30:46) and Jill Lyall (3:31:01).

In the Men’s 11km, the winners were Thomas Murton (50:09), Thomas Wilson (58:06) and Shaun Smith (59:13).

In the Women’s 11km, they were Jess Meagher (1:05:48), Diana Trudgett (1:07:40) and Ivy Rapley (1:10:58).

The full list of results can be viewed here on the event’s Webscorer results page.

Images: Freycinet trail run/facebook

Australian 24 Hour Track Invitational, ACT

The Australian 24 Hour Track Invitational was held at the AIS Track and Field Facility in the ACT from 5-6 July, 2025, and is an elite-level event for record setting. Entry was limited to 40 runners in total for the Invitational Race.

Preliminary results, below, for the Invitational Race will be confirmed soon.

In the Men’s 24 Hour, it was an AUTRA member podium finish across the board with member Luke Thompson claiming 1st Male with 237.367km, member Chris Dixon taking 2nd Male with 222.825km, and member Mark Avery winning 3rd Male with 210.167km. 

It was the same in the Women’s 24 Hour, with AUTRA members rounding off all top three spots: Carrie Gleeson took 1st Female with 206.350km, Allicia Heron claimed 2nd Female following a total distance of 200.877km, and Maia Nagy capping it with 3rd Female and a total finish of 187.112km.

Two records were claimed at the event, congratulations to AUTRA’s Heather Hawkins with a new W60 12hr of 89.958km, and a big congrats also to Greg Wilson for the M70 100mi at 21:13:47 as well as the M70 24hr of 178.432km.

Congratulations also to AUTRA’s Doug Richardson who finished with a total of 133.200km.

For more photos, please head to the Australian 24 Hour Track Invitational Facebook here.

Images: Australian 24 Hour Track Invitational/Facebook

Red Dirt Backyard Ultra, WA

The last one standing format event Red Dirt Backyard Ultra was held from Saturday, 5 July 2025 and was hosted by the Pilbara Trailblazers at Bayview Hotel and Caravan Park in WA.

The winner of this year’s edition was Chris Lewinski, and the Assist was claimed by Jacs Homann.

We will have results reported on as soon as they become available.

Images: Red Dirt Backyard Ultra/Facebook

Dead Cow Gully, Qld

(This report was also published on 27-6-25 with the final winners announced, however the following includes acknowledgement of AUTRA members who raced on the day. Photos were published on 27-06-25).

Dead Cow Gully Backyard Ultra was held from Saturday, 21 June and continued until there was just one runner left standing, that day being Thursday, 26 June 2025.

This year’s LOS was AUTRA’s Phil Gore, who secured himself 119 laps or a total of 798km – this being a new World Record in the backyard format.

The Assist for the 2025 edition was New Zealand’s Sam Harvey.

Congratulations also to AUTRA’s Holly Ranson, who secured a new Australian record as the last woman standing, completing a total of 62 laps.

Well done to all AUTRA members who raced in the event, including Jonathan Ash (100 laps), James Blanton (64 laps), Barry Keem (62 laps), Joel Sexton (38 laps), Cassie Cohen (36 laps), Ben Wilson (36 laps), Margie Hadley (36 laps), Robert Ormsby (33 laps), Steve Schoffelen (30 laps), Stephen Parker (28 laps), Adrian Whatmore (24 laps), Rowan Cassidy (18 laps), Matthew Raguse (18 laps), Teresa Salerno (16 laps), Sam Stow (15 laps), Clayton Talbot (15 laps), Kyle Adams (5 laps) and Theresa Evans (1 lap).

UPCOMING EVENTS

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

National Championship Events for 2027

By Jin Kato • July 7, 2026
AUTRA are excited to announce our national championship events for 2027!

The Final Domino Falls by Greg Wilson

June 29, 2026
Greg Wilson recaps his time at the 2026 New Zealand 6 Day Ultra

COACH’S CORNER - Running at Night by Isobel Tait

June 29, 2026
Isobel tait covers what actually changes when the sun goes down

President's Report (JUNE 2026)

By John Claridge • June 29, 2026
APRIL 2026
LOAD MORE

share this

IN OTHER NEWS

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

National Championship Events for 2027

By Jin Kato • July 7, 2026
AUTRA are excited to announce our national championship events for 2027!

The Final Domino Falls by Greg Wilson

June 29, 2026
Greg Wilson recaps his time at the 2026 New Zealand 6 Day Ultra
ALL NEWS