Copy of WEEKLY NEWS REPORT 20/6/2019

Kate Dzienis • June 10, 2019

IAU/ITRA Trail World Championships, Portugal
Cleland 50 (National Short Course Trail Championships), SA
Gold Coast 100, Qld

Saturday our team of determined Aussies raced in the IAU/ITRA Trail World Championships held in the stunning Mirandha de Corvo, Portugal, and what an eventful day it was!

In the women’s division there were 159 finishers with French runner Blandine Lhirondel claiming the title of 1st Female when she crossed the finish line in 4:06:17.

Aussie Stephanie Austin from Merimbula, NSW took an amazing 19th Female with a time of 4:33:58, and she certainly has something to celebrate as her result was the best by an Australian woman in world trails history!

Jodie Earl from Bullaburra, NSW held on to 77th Female with 5:15:12.

Sydney’s Sarah Ludowici took 104th Female (5:29:41), Jessica Collins from Margate, Tas claimed 137th (5:56:47) and Lauren Rooke from Coromandel Valley, SA stood tall with 142nd (6:12:14).

With 204 finishers in the male division, our very own Ryan Lowe from Macmasters Beach, NSW claimed 105th with his time of 4:25:19.

The male winner was Jonathan Albon from Great Britain who ran the distance in 3:35:34.

Cleland 50 (National Short Course Trail Championships)

The Cleland 50, held on Sunday in SA, also doubled as AURA’s National Short Course Trail Championships.

The 50km route covered three different loops, heading to Mt Lofty and down to Waterfall Gully Road, and is considered a tough race.

Despite having injury issues in the lead up, AURA’s John Csongei from Aberfoyle Park, SA went in with a number of goals in mind, including hope of a podium finish.

He secured 1st Male (Overall) in the race, as well as 1st Male in the National Championships listing, completing the course in 4:53:38 and said on his socials he was not expecting a win.

“Lacking the fitness to finesse my way through the course how I would have liked, I had some friendly company as I was caught up by other competitors at various points,” he said.

“But hey, the size of the engine is only one part of the equation, and it makes for an exciting race.”

AURA member Graham Tottey from Adelaide, SA secured 2nd Male in the National Championships listing, finishing the race in 6:32:05.

For the women, it was Hannah McRae from NSW who took 1st Female in the National Championships, only 1 minute 20 seconds off Csongei’s time. It was a double celebration for the ultra runner though, as she claimed 1st Female out of all participants and 2nd Overall – a spectacular effort on such an arduous course and a course best by an estimated 27 minutes!

Her time saw her finish the race in 4:54:57.

Continuing with placings in the women’s National Championships through the Cleland 50, Ina Schapiro claimed 2nd Female with 5:27:11, Vicky Rounding took 3rd Female in 7:02:58 and Glenda Banaghan held on to fourth (7:03:41) while Vicki Shaw claimed fifth (8:07:37).

Congratulations to AURA finishers with Japanese citizenships Kazu Kuwata (5:39:53) and Atsushi Ogai (6:26:47).

Gold Coast 50/100

On to the Gold Coast 50/100 held on Sunday, and what fantastic results from AURA members at the race. Marita Eisler from Woody Point, Qld secured 1st Female as well as top finisher overall with her incredible time of 8:26:11 in the 100km. Right behind her was Corrina Black from Mermaid Beach, Qld who took 2nd Female and 2nd Overall with her event finishing in 9:03:20.

Malcolm Gamble from Mordialloc, Vic claimed victory for the men taking 1st Male/3rd Overall in 9:09:32 whilst Mick Francis, travelling from WA, held on to 2nd Male and crossed the finish line in 9:23:54.

Congratulations also go to Pam Muston (10:59:21) who ran the 100km, and John Nuttall who finished the 50km race in 4:54:50.

The next two events on the AURA calendar will both be held on June 15, including the Sri Chinmoy 24 Hour Track Race (24hr, 12hr and 6hr) in Campbelltown, NSW and the last man standing format event Mirrim Wurnit Back Paddock Ultra in Romsey, Vic.

Pictured: The Australian team at the IAU/ITRA Trail World Championships in Mirandha de Corvo, Portugal. Photograph – Gary Mullins.

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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