HERON TAKES ON GUMBY’S GUMBABY EVENT

Kate Dzienis • April 30, 2021

Contributed by Allicia Heron, AURA member & 2nd Female in GUMbaBY

GUMBY Backyard Ultra, 24-25 April 2021, Coree District ACT

On a chilly -1 degree morning on 24 April, the Ultra Mediocre Runners of Canberra ran the inaugural GUMBY and GUMbaBY backyard ultras in one of the most beautiful settings in Canberra.

Set high in the mountains at Blue Range Hut campsite, a gathering of runners was happening. Some (like me) knew the end was in 8 hours…others though, did not know when the end would be as they were participating in the full GUMBY, which was a Last One Standing format. Usually, I would have entered that one, however due to an upcoming event I played it smart and entered the ‘baby’ version instead.

Named the GUMbaBY it was the same 6.7km loop of the GUMBY, run on the hour each hour for 8 hours. However, to determine the winner, Lap 8 changed to a first one back is the winner scenario. Such a good idea! Seven 6.7km warm up laps for that one final 6.7km lap to be the only one that counted!

Not having officially participated in an event like this before, I wasn’t too sure what to expect, but I thought, just run but run slowly to save your legs for that one final lap.

It was a gradual climb to around the 4km mark, then downhill for a couple of kilometres. I thought his would be nice- a non-technical loop of a 6.7km fire trail in the mountains of the ACT. I thought anyway.

The first lap was too fast! I got excited and found myself just running…it was comfortable and conversational, yet as I found out after finishing the lap, I had a while until the next lap started. And as it was still likely below zero, my body temperature dropped rather quickly and as I was watching the other runners come in closer to the start time of the next lap, I told myself, “Okay, first lap is done, now you can slow it down.”

All of a sudden we were all at the start line again, ready to complete Lap 2. A slower pace this time, it was good. I found myself really enjoying it, especially through the sunny patches. All of a sudden there were only 2km to go and it was mostly downhill!

“Great,” I thought, time to eat something and wait until the start line again. Laps three and four were much the same as the previous.

Lap five started getting just that bit harder, my legs were beginning to become a bit fatigued, and I looked around and many people were in the same boat. However, for the GUMbaBY’s the end was getting near so we continued on our way to that all important 8th lap!

By the beginning of Lap 7, it started getting cool again. We had had our two hours of warmth, and the sun was beginning to fall behind the trees and casting long, cold shadows. I found myself donning the arm sleeves and buff again for this lap. Once I started though, I regretted my choice as it was too warm! I couldn’t win! Nonetheless, on I trudged. Only one lap left after this one, and it was a “hot lap”.

Gathered back at the start line, there was a buzz of energy and anticipation. Who would go out so fast no one would catch them? Who would go out too fast too soon? Who would just continue how they had all day? We were soon to know! Off we went. One more 6.7km loop!

I was up with the front of the pack, as I had been for the prior laps, but this lap was different, it was fast, and my fatigued legs were not happy with me wanting to go with the pace! I ran up the first hill, then thought I’d walk/jog up the others and sprint the downs to catch up time again. This was working well every other time, so why change it now? The leaders raced off and that was okay. If I could keep everyone else out, I was happy with this! I did just that, and ended up finishing as 2nd Female. Congratulations to the winners and all the participants.

This event was run outstandingly, and for next year I recommend it to anyone wanting to visit Canberra for a run! Whether you want to do the full GUMBY, or the GUMbaBY, it doesn’t matter. Both events are fully recommended! I’ll be doing the GUMBY!

Pictured: Allicia Heron high giving at the end of her GUMbaBY event at the weekend. Photograph – Supplied.

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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