President’s Report for October 2017

Kate Dzienis • October 23, 2017

First of all, I would like to welcome everyone to our first digital version of Ultramag!

The members survey conducted earlier in the year overwhelmingly showed that our members were in favour of a move from the printed version of the magazine to an online presentation, and given the resources and costs involved with producing the hard copy publication, the AURA committee decided to make the change.

The funds saved by moving to a digital Ultramag has enabled the association to appoint Kate Dzienis as AURA’s marketing officer. Kate is a journalist and a runner, and has been reporting on the Australian ultra scene already with her magazine-style website. Kate will be working on a number of marketing fronts, with key initiatives to build the membership base and increase public awareness of our sport as well as the remarkable achievements of our members.

AURA would like to sincerely thank all of its Ultramag past editors, a publication that has a history of some 32 years. Luckily their efforts won’t be forgotten as all of the hardcopy magazines are being digitised and will be made available to members on the AURA website; now that will make some interesting reading.

The association has been busy on variety of other fronts with highlights of the last months including:

- I had the pleasure of joining the 24 Hour Team at the World Championships conducted in Belfast, Northern Ireland on 1 July, 2017. All team members ran their hearts out for their country, however ultra running can be a cruel sport, with two of the four women’s team members and three of the five men’s team members experiencing issues with injuries throughout the race. The women’s team finished 11th and the men’s team 12th.

- In August, the AURA Committee held a day long strategy development session in WA. From this work terms of reference were developed and subcommittees formed to develop parts of our Strategic Plan 2018-2021. Areas being addressed include:

Increase awareness, interest and participation in the sport of ultra running
Expanding the AURA membership base through addressing the membership value proposition
Assistance and support for event organisers to provide sustainable ultra running events
Provide leadership in terms of governance for the sport of ultra running and member wellbeing
Investigation of funding opportunities outside of current revenue streams
Provide initiatives and pathways to improve the performance of Australian athletes in sanctioned international competition
Ensure AURA provides equity to all members of our society that wishes to participate in the sport of ultra running

- A committee comprising Andy Hewat, Tom Landon-Smith, Billy Pearce, Greg Robinson and Peter Lugg was appointed to develop AURA’s safety standards for ultra running events. This is a critical initiative to assist making our sport safer for all our members.

As we move into the last quarter of the year there are still some key events to be run including one of my favourite events, the mega 240kms Coast to Kosciuszko race in December.

I’m back crewing this year, and hope to see many of our members there either running, crewing or volunteering.

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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