PRESIDENT’S END OF YEAR LETTER

Kate Dzienis • December 20, 2021

2021 has been another tough year and a challenge for runners and race directors. It has been great to see the resilience and determination in the running community. There have been a lot of inspiring stories in Ultramag of members’ achievements and adventures around the country.

Our calendar had around 80 races but there was the repeat of last year with a few needing to be rescheduled or cancelled due to state restrictions. Next year’s calendar is shaping up nicely with plenty of opportunities to race multiple distances and terrains.

We introduced the flat $49 per year membership fee to simplify the process and give more value back to the members who sign up for the full year. Hopefully, with a few recurring memberships and attracting new runners with the low cost our member base will keep growing.

A highlight of the year was kicking off our series of webinars covering beginner ultra running and women in ultra running topics. A big thanks to the organisers and panel of speakers who put a lot of time into preparing content, wrangling the technical side of the delivery and then generously giving up their time to take part to share their wisdom and experience. It’s been great to see so many people wanting to give back to the sport and help more people enter the world of ultra running.

We were pleased to be able to announce the events successful in hosting AURA Australian Championships in 2022. This includes the introduction of a 100 Mile Australian Championship for the first time.

The Australian Championships this year are as follows:

50km – Fisiocrem GC50 Run Festival, 4 December 2022
100km – TBC as finalising details
24hr – Southern Sydney 24 Hour Ultra, 3 June 2022
48hr – Sri Chinmoy 48 Hour Track Festival, 25 March 2022
Short Trail – Two Bays Trail Run (56km), 16 January 2022
Long Trail – Heysen 105 (115km), 22 October 2022
100 Mile – The Glasshouse 100, 10 September 2022

We are hoping next year is a safer one to travel which will allow us to select and send Australian teams to the World and Continental Championships. There will be more info around selection and dates so those interested can plan out their calendar and build ups.

In exciting news, we secured the hosting of a championship event in our own country for the first time. The 2024 Asian and Oceania 24hr Championships are coming to Australia! For the next generation, I hope this provides motivation to work towards the dream of representing your country.

Once the year comes to a close our annual awards will be voted on and decided. It is always an interesting look back on the year and a celebration of our members’ achievements. Last year’s ultra runner of the year performances were weighted heavily in Western Australia as their vibrant race calendar was border protected offering multiple opportunities to race a full season. This year there has been a more balanced mix of states even considering the lockdowns in NSW and Victoria.

A massive thanks from myself and the committee for all the volunteers that have helped keep AURA moving forward and in a good position to keep supporting the ultra running community. Special mention needs to go to 3 retiring volunteers who have put a lot into AURA over the years. Jodie Oborne, Kerrie Bremner and Susannah Harvey-Jamieson have contributed as Australian reps, committee members and also in specialised roles.

Thanks to Kate for keeping the entertaining and educational stories flowing through Ultramag including this end-of-year special.

Personally, I’d like to say a big thanks to the committee Simone, Matty and Stephen who’s support and commitment keep the AURA wheels turning. The regular committee meetings, daily messages, side phone calls, long run discussions, votes, member management and all the activities you do to keep the association progressing are appreciated.

I hope everyone gets a few long runs in over the break and has a great 2022.

Cheers
Ewan Horsburgh
AURA President

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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