RACE DIRECTOR’S REPORT – WTF

Kate Dzienis • September 27, 2018

Contributed by David Kennedy, Waterous Trail on Foot race director

The 6th Annual Waterous Trail on Foot 50 and 100 Milers (WTF) was set to be the biggest and best event yet! The weather can be quite fickle in WA in September with everything from 14 to 29 degrees maximums during those six years.

This year’s race was looking like the second hottest with a forecast of 24 degrees and coming from a cool wet winter, the West Aussies hadn’t seen this heat since May. Big name visitor Stephen Redfern had though, with his last long run in NSW being 32 degrees. Our visiting French athlete Angelique Plaire was also used to the heat, residing in tropical New Caledonia.

Runners lined up at either end of the Munda Biddi Trail – 50 Mile runners in Jarrahdale and 100 Mile runners in Dwellingup. They would cross paths en route with both races finishing in Dwellingup.

The 50 Miler, with the addition of a kids race and a relay, had a large friendly atmosphere for the first leg to Kingsbury Road. Gerry Hill went to the lead and AURA member Alex Keys was also near the front after having to drop back from the 100 to the 50 due to work commitments.

Hill led from start to finish to record the victory with Keys holding on for third place.

Also near the front were AURA members Andrew McLeish and Chris Lark.

Lark finally got the 50 Mile monkey off his back with a third time lucky finish.

AURA vice president Alexis Oosterhoff made a successful return to the longer distances finishing after a tough day at the office.

In the women’s 50 AURA member Sophee Gardiner was chasing Michelle Brown all day before finally securing her first ultra podium spot with second place.

Previous 100 Mile winner Crystal Shui rounded out the podium.
Stephen Redfern went straight to the lead in the 100 and was never headed, finally finishing in a race record 16:45:09.

Angelique Plair was leading through the first aid station, but an incorrect turn shortly after had her lose a few minutes and Jen Millum hit the lead. English speaking and reading difficulties caused a few problems out on the course, but fortunately we were able to get Plaire around the course with no more excursions. The French women was soon back in control racing to another course record and second overall in 19:04:45.

Millum also ran a brilliant race to be fifth overall and third fastest all time for the women in second place.
Unfortunately there were a few DNFs, but Shane Holstein defied the warm weather racing to third place male in his 100 Mile debut.

In another successful day on the trails, AURA’s Glen Smetherham snuck home for his fourth belt buckle finishing with eight minutes to spare before the 24-hour buckle deadline.

Runners relaxed on the lawn at the finish line, cheering in their fellow runners with a great atmosphere at the finish.
Next year the WTF moves back to the actual Waterous Trail for what should be some fast and scenic racing conditions. Just the other side of Dwellingup, but heading south, the new course should offer cooler shady conditions with sections along the Murray River and an awesome start/finish location at Nanga Bush Camp with onsite accommodation for 50+.

Pictured: WTF race director David Kennedy with some of the WTF entrants. Photograph – Peter Barry.

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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