Hadley takes 100 miler to a new limit

Kate Dzienis • October 23, 2017

By Kate Dzienis

In WA, despite the stormy weather on Friday, September 22 and the 100kms Oxfam trail walk cancelled due to forecasts for a weekend of wild conditions, the Runningworks WTF 50 & 100 Mile Trail Ultra stayed on course for 51 registered participants – 26 in the 50mi and 25 for the 100mi.

The ultra is held along the Munda Biddi mountain bike trail with a start line at Dwellingup, tracking all the way to Jarrahdale and back again for the long distance, while the shorter run heads up from Jarrahdale to Dwellingup. Generally held on the Queen’s Birthday long weekend in WA, it proves great timing for participants who can take an extra day to recover on the Monday.

There was some astonishing running early in the race for the 100mi. Despite freezing temperatures when the bell sounded, AURA member Nathan Fawkes kept everyone on their toes as he took front position for the first three-quarters, staying at least 30 minutes ahead of fellow AURA runner Andrew ‘Felix’ Poli by the time he reached Kingsbury Aid Station in the first lap.

“I felt amazing for the first 50k, and I started to think it would be a good day,” he recalled.

“At about 134kms, I had a gel and it instantly made me feel sick; I doubled over but managed to keep it down, however this was the beginning of the end.”

Fawkes revealed his usual nutrition for long distance was Coke, gels and a Clif bar but when he hit that 15-hour mark, nothing sweet could sustain him and he realised he wasn’t getting the calorie intake required. Despite dropping his lead, Fawkes pushed on in the rain and absolute cold, crossing the finish line in a little over 22:32:00 in sixth position.

Keith Holt took over the lead and claimed top spot with a time of 19:11:59 with trail runner extraordinaire Poli coming in second at 20:44:51.

One of the strongest performances seen on the trails at the weekend was that of Henley Brook runner and AURA member Margaret Hadley, who took a well-deserved first place for the women’s division and second overall in the 100mi.

What made her race even more significant was that she set a new record as the first woman to finish the WTF 100mi in under 20 hours.

Hadley pointed out her race start was standard, but that given it was her first 100 miler, she was unsure how to pace herself.

“Having never run this distance before, it was hard to know exactly what pace to try and hold, and I could hear Felix behind me yelling at me to slow down, he was worried I might burn out early,” she said.

“We had done the odd Saturday long run together, but our only plan was to not run together too much otherwise we would push each other too much!

“With all the rain, there were some big puddles on the track and keeping our feet dry was impossible; poor sock choice meant I had blisters in the first 10k, something I normally don’t get.”

Hadley pushed through despite a pounding headache, lack of energy, and a mental struggle in between aid stations, but when you’re out doing just over 160kms, your body is going to compete against the norm – and it was this negativity that Hadley said was what kept her going, because she had to switch her thinking and change to a positive.

“I hate thinking negatively, I think you can train perfectly, but if you start thinking negative and aren’t mentally switched on it can ruin your whole race,” she revealed.

Hadley finished strong, with an astonishing time of 19:57:47, and was the only female finisher in the 100mi.

Pictured: Margaret Hadley making her way to one of the aid stations at the 2017 WTF 100 Miler in WA. 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