From the Editor’s Desk (November)

Kate Dzienis • November 20, 2017

Our second edition of the new format Ultramag is here!

Since our first digital version was distributed last month on October 24, we have had amazing feedback from our members about the style and the stories being collated. It’s been a positive journey these last few weeks, and even though we’re heading into the holiday season, AURA will still be hard at work ensuring your monthly Ultramag is on its way.

Coming on board as the new editor, it’s my aim to continue in the same positive direction that has been so well established by all previous editors, and encourage more of your stories to be shared amongst members. Inspiration is a driving force for us to better ourselves, and the only way we can go is up when it comes to entering new territory in the ultra world – whether it be aiming for a longer distance, or attempting a trail race instead of one for the road or track.

As I go on my own journey in the ultra world, it was only recently that I’d discovered the real battle of the emotional rollercoaster that accompanies long distance runners, and the need to find inspiration amongst fellow runners to keep going and just finish.

My experience during this month’s Feral Pig Ultra in the Perth Hills of WA was exactly that.

The unbearable heat that rolled across the weekend of November 11 and 12 saw more than 50 per cent of participants in the 100 Miler, 50 Miler and 50kms events DNF.

And yet each and every single one of those runners, whether they finished their allotted event or not, walked away proud that they gave it their all.

Their mental battles, their emotional hardships, their physical barriers were all tested against the Pig, and never in my time as a runner have I seen more comradery amongst a group of people than I did at this ultra event – participants stopping and assisting an injured runner, losing almost two hours of their own time to ensure their fellow competitor was taken care of; volunteers setting up ad hoc aid stations with their vehicles at any possible accessible spot to give out extra water and electrolytes, and; runners giving up their own resources of water or food when spotting another in need of rehydration.

I myself may have only just entered the 23kms event, but in that distance, and in the brutal temperatures of a dry, intense heat, I went through the self-doubt, the questioning, and even the anger of wondering why I didn’t feel strong enough to get through the race in my predicted time.

But in the end, the mateships and the strength of runner-colleague relationships outweigh the ups and downs, and I learnt at the weekend that this world of ultra running we live in, this world we simply love and breathe, is for people who yes, not only want to test their own capabilities, but is also for those who believe in the best for others, and will see to it that they too succeed in their ultra goals.

Happy ultra running.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

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