SHORT COURSE CHAMP FRASER RECAPS TWO BAYS

Kate Dzienis • January 29, 2018

Contributed by Natasha Fraser, Winner, AURA National Short Course Champion at Two Bays Trail Run

The build-up and excitement on the lead up to the Two Bays Trail Run (January 14) has a life of its own, and this year it certainly didn’t disappoint (so much so that I had my first little holiday from social media).

I haven’t had the pleasure of running in the same event as Lucy Bartholomew for many years now, and I was blown away as well as very excited at the start line to see what a fit woman she has grown to be.

After a quick hug and hello we were off, after about 6kms of watching her in action on the trail I decided to switch my focus back to my own run as there was no doubt in my mind she would be smashing out a new course record.

My self defence mechanism when pushing hard is that I tend to really zone in and don’t always notice and take in everything that’s happening around me, but a few moments did certainly stand out.

I was delighted to see that the deviation was not a massive sinkhole of soft sand this year, the rain had done a terrific job of making this section a lot easier on the way out to Dromana and the pump up of passing the 28k Runners as they shouted out encouragement on the way down Hyslops Road did a fantastic job of easing the sting of the Arthur’s Seat ascent to come.

Ringing the bell at Dromana is something so unique and iconic to this event, the resulting happy buzz nearly makes up for the fact you then have to climb Arthur’s Seat again on your way back to Cape Shank.

I remember feeling quite good until my bladder had run dry, and I was very eager to grab a couple of drink bottles from my friend who had come to crew for me. I slightly underestimated my hydration needs on the way back to the finish, and unfortunately didn’t see my drink bottles until Boneo Road (lesson learned – don’t be lazy, refill your bladder, Tash!).

By the time I finally emerged from there, I felt like I’d been hanging out on the surface of the sun and 6-something-kms seemed like an impossible eternity (there may have been some very emotional moments on the steps of spontaneous poetry).

Crossing the finish line is always a massive high, and I was very happy to come away with second place overall, and first in the AURA Short Course Trail Championships on the day.

It was fantastic to see Amelia Griffith round out the podium with an overall third and second in the AURA Championships as her consistency in training has been beyond impressive!.

There was only one low point of the day though.

Missing the presentations was a first for me, and was caused by an intense coffee craving (bloody coffee van!) which resulted in a hobble to the car to find some moola, a fantastic chat that unfortunately went too long, and I came back to find out I had missed the presentations and the van.

As always the Two Bays Trail Run has the most amazing party atmosphere to it, and the support from spectators and friends along the way certainly carried me home. Thanks to race director Rohan Day and his amazing team of volunteers for continuing to put on an event that is the highlight of any runner’s calendar.

If you haven’t run this event yet, I highly recommend it.

Pictured: Natasha Fraser running at the Two Bays Trail Run earlier this year. Photograph – Supplied.

AURA member and Ultramag contributor Natasha Fraser started running ultra marathons in 2011 after running 28kms at the first official Two Bays Trail Run. She was inspired by all the 56kms runners and ever since, has completed in numerous ultra events with distances ranging from 50-100kms. Her next big focus is to improve her 100kms road race time.

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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