Brisbane Track Ultra Race Director’s Report

Kate Dzienis • October 23, 2017

By Susannah Harvey-Jamieson

It’s been five years since Brisbane held a 24-hour track event – five years too long. River City Runners (RCR) appointed Jodie Oborne and I as race directors for the inaugural Brisbane Track Ultra.

The Queensland State Athletics Centre in Nathan was the chosen location, a world-class facility with its surface relaid just two months prior to our event. This made it an ideal track to run on.

BTU attracted attention from athletes across Australia and we were graced by some big names in the 24-hour field.

With a 10am start on Saturday, September 23, the 24-hour event and marathoners got underway.

As the kilometres began to stack up, so too did the temperature. Heat was a major concern, but fortunately there was access to a hose –a welcome relief for all athletes. The high settled around 32 degrees, and it made for challenging conditions, but it didn’t seem to unmotivate any of the competitors.

Adding to the motivation was Ben Dennien, who provided us with pumping music for all the times that council regulations allowed. In addition, Ben ran in the 12-hour event, starting at 12pm and managing to clock more than 104kms. Meanwhile, Barry Loveday wowed us with his simply incredible walk/run strategy which collated in 123.206kms.

From early on, it was obvious that Isobel Ross was keen to make an ambitious debut to the track. With Nikki Wynd helping her (and running in the 6-hour) we knew we were up for an impressive performance. Anabel Hepworth, Sabina Hamaty and Hayley Farry (another first-timer) ensured that the ladies field was a competitive one. In the men’s, some very familiar names were also included with veteran Tony Wilms really pushing himself at every stage. Chris Knowles, Carl Schodde (debut at 24-hour) and Matt Fitzgerald had to work hard to counter the heat.

Just on nightfall, the 6-hour teams and individuals took to the ground, providing the 12 and 24-hour runners with increased pace and some welcome chatter. RCR put in a team, Jodie managed to wrangle her son’s school to put together another team (79.887kms) and Amanda (club president), Jodie and I decided that we really should participate in the fun as well. Kevin Muller put in an impressive 70.26kms run to win the 6-hour individual. By midnight, the music was off, the lights dimmed and the 24-hour runners were on their own.

At 8am sharp Sunday, Ben cranked up the sounds and got the runners back into form. The heat started to make itself known too, but with an impromptu cheer squad and the hose back on, the kilometres were continuing to rise. Watching Isobel being so consistent and tenacious in her running strategy was captivating. Was she going to be able to make 200kms? When the hooter went at 10am, it was so close, and not to be. Her final tally was 198.740kms, which given the conditions was amazing. This earned her a spot as first woman and first overall. In fact, the women were first, second and third, only showing that experience does really account for a lot in track ultras.

Our congratulations go out to all participants. It was by no means an easy day and we appreciated all those who competed, as well as their crew members and to those to just came down to have a look. The River City Runners were impeccable in their volunteering, nothing was left to chance. BTU was blessed with a multitude of sponsors who provided some great prizes and race packs including Salming, Rebel Sports, Gus and Discounts, Scody, Revvies, Hammer, Peak, Chia, and Steigen.

We have booked QSAC for next year – will you be there?

Pictured: Men’s podium Matt Fitzgerald (169.435), Carl Schodde (145.49), and Chris Knowles (124.916) with Amanda Neil (L) and Jodie Oborne (R). Image - Supplied.

Susannah Harvey-Jamieson is a race director for the 2017 Brisbane Track Ultra.

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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