JOHNSTONE CRACKS RECORD AT THE 2021 DELIRIOUS W.E.S.T

Kate Dzienis • October 21, 2021

By Kate Dzienis

For AURA member Shane Johnstone, the Delirious W.E.S.T 200 Miler (from Northcliffe to Albany in WA) was meant to be his comeback event from illness back in 2020. However a COVID-19 lockdown when the race was originally meant to be held in February 2021 saw a 6 month postponement, and in that time Johnstone raced at UTA, launched the Transcend Ultra, and found out he was going to be a father to a second daughter.

The start line of the Delirious W.E.S.T, which was held from 6-10 October 2021, saw participant numbers drop from about 100 to 34 due to border restrictions and lockdowns in other states. And when Johnstone stood at check-in for the race, he began to hear rumours that he was a ‘shoe in’ to win.

“If there’s anything I’ve learned from ultra running, it’s to respect the distance and even if you look good on paper, it doesn’t necessarily translate to an automatic comfortable win,” he said.

“Anything can happen in 340km over trail with none to minimal sleep in challenging conditions; it’s a bloody long way.”

Johnstone revealed he had done a decent amount of preparation for the Delirious W.E.S.T, and said he felt in good shape.

“I was really lucky with how the body responded, and continue to be amazed with how much the body can be challenge,” he recollected.

“I was certain I’d find my breaking point in the 100mi event; I think I was very close, but I feel I still crossed that finish line functioning way better than I could have ever imagined.

“The course was definitely different to the usual course, so it wasn’t technically a course record, but on the topic of holding records I’ve thought a lot about this over the past few years.

“I’ve set a few FKTs now and event CRs, and what I love is how they inspire people to go to the next level. Dion Leonard’s 61-hour CR was instantly my go-to target to beat, and so will my 54hr 50min benchmark for the next group of Delirious W.E.S.T starters.

“Records are there to be broken; it’s a privilege to be a part of history that prompts that next level.

“The most exciting element now is how the women are mixing it with the men. Three of the top 6 at Delirious W.E.S.T were female, and Meghann Coffey (AURA member) featured on the overall podium, which is awesome. I run most weekends with strong and fit women on the trails – one of them, Erika, is currently having a crack at my Bibbulmun Track FKT and I’d say she’s a solid bet to go the distance.”

Johnstone said he gives full credit to the people that crewed for him at Delirious W.E.S.T, and that he couldn’t have done it without them.

“Very rarely will you see a solid performance without a solid team behind it,” he said.

“I had as good of a crew that one could ask for! Massive thanks to Jo, Adam, Nick, Wayne, Amanda, Claire and Lochy; at times the concept of running more was undesirable but those guys kept me honest and stopped the train from derailing.

“Team work makes the dream work. Also a massive kudos to the legends at the aid stations offering so much time, generosity and love for days to complete strangers!”

Johnstone took the win at Delirious W.E.S.T, coming in 1st Male with a total time of 54:50:00.

To see personal footage of the event created by Johnstone, and to hear some of the emotional thought process that an ultra runner goes through, click below for his visual race recap.

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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