WEEKLY NEWS REPORT 27-10-2020

Kate Dzienis • October 27, 2020

New 50km Record
Weekend Podium Finishes
Races Coming Up

There were no AURA-listed events this past weekend with Ultra Trail Australia and the Ned Kelly Chase both cancelled, but we still had some AURA members racing/running – and remember, we love hearing about members’ achieving their goals so email kate.dzienis@aura.asn.au to pass on information as well as any photos!

New 50km Record (yet to be ratified)
If you haven’t read the news yet on our socials, NSW AURA representative Stephen Redfern earlier this week shared that members Andy Heyden from St Ives, NSW and Gary Mullins from Neutral Bay, NSW both ran at the weekend in a 50km time trial at Richmond on a measured and certified course in an attempt to break long standing records.

“With conditions being close to perfect, temperatures at 14 degrees, both runners came away with new 50km PB times,” Redfern said.

“On Sunday, Andy Heyden finished in a time of 3:05:53 and managed to break the 30-year-old M45 Australian AG record by 36 seconds (pending ratification) which had been held by Laurie Brimacombe from Vic since 1990.”

Mullins ran a 3:09:37.

Heyden completed a 16-week training program in preparation of the record attempt, and said despite the first hour of the time trial being tough, he found a good rhythm and after the halfway mark felt he was on target to break the record.

“Gary has also been my coach this year, so full credit to him for my results; he has made me stronger and faster at 46 years young,” Heyden said.

“Ever competitive, I’m just analysing how I could have found another 66 seconds on Sunday to have brought the world age group record to Australia but no regrets, I gave it everything.”

Congratulations to both Heyden and Mullins for their weekend records.

AURA Members’ Achievements
AURA member Jacqueline Kellerman from Burns Beach, WA raced in Sunday’s 2020 Mico Runningworks Trail Ultra (non-AURA listed) at The Spectacles, and claimed 1st Female with a time of 3:45:32 in the 50km event. Her average pace was about 4:30 with each lap of the course (8.34km) completed under 39:05.

AURA’s Margie Hadley from Henley Brook, WA also claimed herself a podium finish with the title of 2nd Female following a finish time of 4:09:37. Hadley’s pace averaged about 4:59 with each lap of course (8.34km) completed under 42:25.

Member Fee Salmons from Greenfields, WA also completed the 50km event in 6:32:45.

Well done to Kellerman, Hadley and Salmons on their achievements!

Potential New American Record
AURA member Jimmie Barnes from Birmingham, Alabama ran the Endless Mile 48hr on 16 October at Veteran’s Park in Alabaster, Alabama, USA with excellent conditions in the mid 60s to low mid 40s (F). He had hoped to have a good 48hr run and maybe even take a shot at his friend Doyle Carpenter’s new world record of 144.60mi however he started to have issues with his back and developed a slight forward lean so only managed 101mi and stopped at 30hrs.

However, at the age of 82, Barnes set a potential new American AG record of 29:27 for 100mi, with the current pending record at 30:07 set by Ed Rousseau under much more harsh conditions. Barnes has said there is room for improvement, and will continue to chase his goals.

Coming Up
The Halloween Dusk 2 Dawn is being held this weekend at Charlie Watts Reserve in Telegraph Point, NSW. The 12hr event is held on a 7km loop course, but the real question is…do you dare?

The Feral Pig Ultra will be held the following weekend from 7-8 November in Mundaring, WA and offers 100mi, 50mi and 50km ultra distances for long distance runners.

The Maritime Run is due for 14 November at Aldinga Beach, SA and provides a 50km option for ultra runners.

Pictured: Andy Heyden at the weekend attempting his 50km record. Photograph – Supplied/Facebook ~ Stephen Redfern.

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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