Red Dirt Backyard Ultra Delivers Record-Breaking Weekend

July 30, 2026

Contributed by Jamie Oborne, red dirt backyard event organising team & LOS

REd Dirt Backyard Ultra

Karratha, WA

27 June 2026

As part of the Pilbara Trailblazers committee, I am incredibly proud of where we have taken this event over the last few years, and it continues to grow bigger and better every year. I heard quite a few comments out there about how much people have loved this event and even a few saying they have run in a lot of events, and this one has been the best event they have ever been in.

An event record of 127 Runners lined up on the start line for Yard 1 and after 38 hours I was fortunate enough to be crowned the 2026 Last Man Standing, setting a new PB for myself and setting a new course record. The event's previous course record of 33 yards was set by Phil Gore in 2024.

The assist was Mike Hall, who delivered an outstanding performance of his own. Mike completed 37 yards before beginning the 38th, where he made the difficult decision to turn back. Together, we ran side-by-side for 16 hours after the rest of the field had DNF’d by yard 21. Mike also smashed his own personal best by five yards.

The women's field also produced an inspiring performance, with Josie Wang becoming the Last Woman Standing after completing an impressive 19 yards. Throughout the event, Josie tackled every challenge with determination, resilience and a smile, embodying the spirit of the Backyard Ultra format from the first yard to her last.

The Pilbara weather ensured competitors experienced a little bit of everything. Saturday brought welcome cloud cover and periods of rain, creating muddy and slippery sections across the course, while a bitterly cold night tested runners as they continued into the early hours. By Sunday morning, the clouds had cleared to reveal warm sunshine, providing one final challenge for those still out on course.

One of the most heartwarming moments of the weekend belonged to nine-year-old Lachie Olsson, who set a new Australian record in the boys' nine-year-old age category after completing an incredible Five yards, equalling more than 33 Kilometres. As Lachie returned from his final yard, he was greeted by his entire soccer team, who lined the finish area to cheer him home in a memorable celebration. Adding to the occasion, Lachie also received a special video message of encouragement from his sporting hero, Phil Gore, the winner of the 2024 Red Dirt Backyard Ultra.

While course records made headlines, countless personal victories unfolded across the weekend. Many returning competitors broke their own personal bests, first time Backyard Ultra runners established new benchmarks to chase in future years, and numerous spectators left inspired and already planning to line up for Red Dirt Backyard Ultra 2027.

Red Dirt Backyard Ultra Run Director Jacs Homann said the weekend showcased everything that makes the event so special.

“Red Dirt is about so much more than who wins. Seeing people support and encourage each other across every part of the event, watching competitors discover they are capable of more than they imagined, and witnessing so many personal milestones made this one of our most memorable events yet."

The Pilbara Trailblazers would like to thank the competitors, volunteers, sponsors, support crews, and spectators who made the 2026 Red Dirt Backyard Ultra such an outstanding success. Their passion and commitment continue to grow the event into one of Western Australia's premier endurance running experiences. This event was proudly supported by the WA State Government.

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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