TWO BAYS TRAIL RUN RACE DIRECTOR REPORT

Kate Dzienis • January 29, 2018

Contributed by Rohan Day, Race Director, Two Bays Trail Run

Just a few weeks after Two Bays Trail Run (January 14), also the AURA Short Course National Trail Championships. The annual delayed summer holiday. On a coast. Another coast. Anywhere but the Mornington Peninsula. Because there is no holiday prior to Two Bays.

Half a day off for Christmas, and keep it rolling.

Two Bays race day weather was brilliant. About 20 degrees with cloud. Rain the previous day had firmed up the sand on the infamous Wallermerriyong ‘road’ section of the course (loose sandy track.)

The highlight was Lucy Bartholomew’s F56 race record (4:33:58), taking nine minutes off the previous record.

The women settled into their podium positions quickly and then held them.

The M56 race was the entertainer.

Francesco Ciancio led a small pack of himself, Ash Bennett and Sasha Ruda.

They came into the midpoint together and then it blew apart on Arthurs Seat on the return – Ciancio withdrew. Ruda faded to 10th outright, Bennett came home in second, and Majell Backhausen, who had been running a minute or two back, came through for the win. Backhausen’s second half was only four minutes slower than his first half, which I’d argue is getting it right at this distance, on this course.

There was the disappointment of having to disqualify a couple of (otherwise) podium people in the 28kms.

Both transgressors of the 500ml-Water-Carrying-Device rule. Both were inadvertent errors, and while disappointed, they did take the situation well.

Inevitably the discussion with others goes along the lines that the front end 28kms runners on a cool day don’t need a water carrying device.

Correct.

Assuming all goes right, and assuming it’s going to stay cool.

And assuming it’s all about the frontend runners, which it isn’t.

That rule was written for the main herd who need to drink during the run, and in light of the fact that the run occurs in mid-January, in summer.

So should we go easy on the frontend about that rule?

No.

Firstly, it’s a race. And in the interests of a level playing field everyone carries the gear they signed up to carry, and that was listed on the website for the preceding 12 months (years, actually).

Secondly, the frontend are the local heroes and can lead by example.

I do feel a little sorry for frontend newbies to trail running though. The rules vary from race to race as the courses and logistical concerns vary from race to race. It’s a hard way to learn that you have to read the specific rules for each race prior to running, but I don’t see another way.

Personally, I know I’ve selected which events to enter based on mandatory gear requirements in the past. Though some entrants seem to prefer the Enter-Then-Whinge model.

On the AURA side of things, it was good to see that the entire M56 podium were AURA members and that in the F56 race it only had to roll back one position. Nice to have as little performance distinction between the two titles as possible.

There were 285 finishers in the 56kms race. We did hit a high of over 350 entrants in the 56kms, but as per usual many requested to be put in to the 28kms fun run as race day looms.

Slowly the percentage of women runners inches higher. We’ve had as low as 18% in the 56kms, but it was 25% this year (the 28kms run for comparison has 43%).

The 56km results can be found here, with full event results available on the event website. Next year’s event is scheduled for Jan 13, 2019.

Featured Top: Tash Fraser, winner of the women’s event in the 56kms. Photograph – Cassandra Gash.

Image Above: The AURA men’s podium finishers. Photograph – Cassandra Gash.

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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