Weekly News - 25/9/17

Kate Dzienis • September 25, 2017

Yurrebilla Ultra, SA
WTF, WA
Brisbane Track Ultra, Qld
Sri Chinmoy Trail Ultra, ACT

This weekend (Sept 23 and 24) showcased an array of events, including the AURA National Short Course Trails Championships, that truly tested AURA members and they all did their finest with determination and hard work paying off.

Kicking off in SA, the Yurrebilla 56km Ultra Marathon, which doubled as the AURA National Short Course Trails Championship for 2017, was held on Sunday and out of 428 participants, 13 were AURA starters. The overall first place winner with a time of 4:56:56 was AURA’s very own Andrew Hough who kept a steady pace throughout his run, and led second place getter David Turnbull by just over 7 minutes.

Congratulations also goes out to members Damon Whish-Wilson, Stuart Hughes, Dej Jamieson, Barry McBride, Robbie Wicksham, Gayle Cowling, Wendy Lines, Cherie Rothery, Karen Beck-Treloar, Rebecca Taipari and David Bailey who crossed the finished line.

The early hours of Saturday morning started with WA’s Waterous Trail on Foot (WTF 50 and 100 Miler) just south of Perth, with a total of 26 participants in the 50mi and 25 for the 100mi – and cold conditions with rain.

In the 100mi, celebrations were abound with AURA member Margaret Hadley setting a new course record as the first woman to complete WTF in under 20 hours. Her finishing time, at 19:57:14, proved her one of the strongest contenders as she remained the only female to complete the distance at the weekend, and achieved second placing overall.

In the men’s 100mi division AURA’s Andrew Poli made an outstanding debut in WTF, claiming second with a time of 20:44:51. The win was taken by Keith Holt in 19:11:59 and AURA congratulates all its members who participated in WTF including Nathan Fawkes, Glen Smetherham, Simon Bonnick, and Bill Thompson.

The 50mi wins went to Ben Harris and Martine Neild.

In Qld, the Brisbane Track Ultra from Saturday through to Sunday saw hot conditions with temperatures reaching well above 30 degrees. Women took the top three overall in the 24hr and they were all AURA members – Isobel Ross (198.740kms), Annabel Hepworth (175.029kms) and Sabina Hamaty (172.157kms). Special mention to AURA’s Hayley Farry who claimed fourth for the women with 146.737kms.

For the men, AURA members Carl Schodde and Tony Wilms took second (145.490kms) and fourth (103.200kms) respectively, following Matt Fitzgerald’s first placing with a distance of 169.435kms.

It was an AURA podium finish for the 12hr too with all three spots going to members – Barry Loveday (123.206kms), Gregory Ponych (119.345kms) and Cameron Gillies (115.405kms). Member Cheryl Symons won second in the women’s 12hr with 85.703kms.

The 6hr division was just as exciting as we saw member Kevin Muller take home the win (70.260kms) and for the women it was a second placing for Nikki Wynd (49.408kms) and third to Cassie Smith (37.709kms).

In the Sri Chinmoy Canberra 104kms trail ultra, there were 28 starters in the solo division with just one DNF. Three AURA members took to the race and congratulations go out to Stephen Kiley who placed 12th overall, Colin Wiley who took 16th overall but second in his age category (50-59 males), and Pam Muston who placed second female with a time of 13:51:04.

Pictured: Nathan Fawkes took the lead for the first half of the WTF 100mi. Photograph - Kate Dzienis.

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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