WEEKLY NEWS BRIEF – 5/11/2018

Kate Dzienis • November 5, 2018

Feral Pig Ultra, WA

The weekend’s Feral Pig Ultra along the historic Bibbulman Track across the Darling Ranges in WA featured a plethora of AURA members taking on a range of distances – the 100 miler, 50 miler, and 50k.

Cool, balmy conditions saw the 100 milers kick start their campaign from midnight Friday/Saturday, with similar chills for the 50 milers who hit the start buttons at 6am Saturday. Perth’s spring heat popped its head out despite a forecast of storms and showers for the race, with temperatures reaching 26 degrees, which left the 50k runners (who began at 12pm Saturday) racing in the peak of warmth.

The later start allows for them to be on the course with those competing in the 100 miler and 50 miler for comradery and support.

Feral Pig is known for its elevation, stunning scenery, and toughness and yes, there were a number of DNFs throughout the day for a variety of reasons.

However performances by all runners were nothing short of inspirational, and each and every one of them deserve accolades for their achievements.

There were 13 starters in the 100 miler – three women, and 10 men.

On to our AURA members and starting with the women’s race, Jen Millum from Karnup (WA) took 1st Female with her time of 24:31:10 – this, coming straight out of having just recently run the 100 miler at WTF on Sept 23 (six weeks ago) in 20:44:23.

Beck Hefferon from South Fremantle (WA) claimed 2nd Female having crossed the finish line in 25:18:07.

In the men’s race, Mindarie runner Paul Hopwood (WA) took 4th Male in 24:18:33, and was closely followed by Perth’s Ian North (24:25:07).

Interstate entrant Duc Do from Ivanhoe, Vic teamed with another runner, Darlene Dale, for the majority of the race, and both ran through an arch of human arms as they crossed the finish line together in triumph, in 37:38:53, with loud cheers and hugs from volunteers, race directors, and those participating in Sunday’s 23kms event.

Special high fives to Richard Avery, Andrew ‘Felix’ Poli and Scott Mitchell who gave it their best, all making it to the 125kms mark.

The 50 miler saw a total of 28 participants – 11 women and 17 men.

In the women’s race, AURA’s Sarah Farrell from Applecross (WA) took 1st Female with a spectacular finish of 10:36:56. There were amazing performances by all those participating in the 50 miler, including Mick Francis (12:02:01), Mark Williams (14:49:38), Cheryl Tatterton (15:18:59), Tom Louden (16:19:59), and Sue Robertson (17:41:17).

Despite the later start for the 50k event, the race saw 39 starters – 14 women and 25 men.

Pam McCaskie took hold of her comeback race, finishing with a claim to the title of 2nd Female in 6:17:20, and congratulations goes out to all our AURA members who ran in the 50k, including Glen Smetherham (6:54:10), Alexis Oosterhoff (7:19:22), Nathan Facer (7:20:44), Katherine Ashfaq (9:15:49), Joanne Dean (9:18:51), Jutta Kober (9:19:45), Mark Keenan (9:38:53), Robert Colligan (9:58:16), Kelly-Lyn Fleming (10:21:39), and Mike Gibbon (12:06:45).

Incredible running by everyone!

The next AURA-listed event is the 24hr Asia and Oceania Championships in Taipei on December 1.

Pictured: AURA’s Jen Millum (centre) pictured with her pacer Chris Satherley on the left, and AURA member Mick Francis to the right. Photograph – Shannon Dale.

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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