WEEKLY NEWS BRIEF – 06/07/2018

Kate Dzienis • July 6, 2018

Wild Goose Chase Festival, WA

The Wild Goose Chase Festival hosted by Ultra Series WA was held across the weekend in the Avon Valley of WA, with festivities starting on one of the coldest nights of the year. From Friday through to Sunday (June 29-July 1), participants camped out in the frosty conditions, which soon became abundant with rain, but that didn’t stop runners from taking on a variety of distances across the three days of events and making themselves comfortable on the camp grounds for a weekend of racing.

Friday lay claim to the 18km Hill Climb, and taking top podium finish for the women was AURA’s Jen Millum from Karnup, WA who has leaped onto the ultra scene fairly quickly in just a short space of time. Needless to say, she finished in first position in the women’s division across all her entered events (18km Hill Climb, 106kms on Saturday, and the 53kms on Sunday). She smashed the Hill Climb in 2:02:28, and it was a well-deserved win. AURA members Emma Luscombe (3:07:09), Lucia Caravia (3:23:10), Shirley Treasure (3:35:10), and Sue Robertson (3:36:10) also did amazing in the tough, cold conditions.

For the men, AURA’s own Matthew Salinovich claimed third position with a fast time of 1:56:10. He was very closely followed by Wayne McMurtrie who crossed the finish line in a whopping 2:01:59, even after having camped out earlier in the week to assist with marking all the trails for participants. Big congratulations to Nick O’Neill (2:06:07), Glen Smetherham (2:15:09), Nick Swallow (2:15:20) and Peter Barry (3:18:41).

On Saturday, the festival hosted the 45kms and the 106kms events.

First to the 45kms, Shirley Treasure was the first AURA member to cross the finish (6th female) in a time of 8:14, while Lucia Caravia was second right behind her, completing the course in 8:17. Well done also for the efforts of Sue Robertson (9:01) and Zora Harvie (9:53).

For the men, Ben Treasure took first AURA member and second men’s with a speedy 5:02. AURA’s very own Peter Barry did extremely well also with his time of 8:16.

On to the race of the weekend – the 106kms.

As mentioned above, newcomer Jen Millum took top podium finish for the women, claiming a time of 14:48. Amazing efforts also by Emma Luscombe and Harmony Waite for this event, and both should be incredibly proud.

For the men, Logan Vickers was the first AURA member to cross the line in 14:25 and took third place for the males. Wayne McMurtrie was fourth for the men in 14:45, and congratulations to Nick O’Neill (15:26), Matthew Salinvich (15:36), Nicholas Goddard (17:15), Glen Smetherham (17:26), Nick Swallow and Thomas Martin.

Come Sunday, and top efforts for all our AURA members who entered the 22.5kms Half Ultra – Gemma Hamilton (3:15), Lucia Caravia (3:57), Shirley Treasure (4:00), Peter Barry (4:14) and Sue Robertson (4:21).

The last event of the weekend was the 53kms, and in her third race of the weekend, completing a total of 177kms in three consecutive days, Millum took first place for the women, completing her Wild Goose Chase debut in 7:19.

AURA’s Daniel O’Brien was first overall with a smashing finish in 5:39, and Shane Holstein wasn’t far behind, claiming third male and third overall in a time of 6:13. Whopping performances by all of our other members too, including Wayne McMurtrie (6:56), Nick O’Neill (7:01) and Matthew Salinovich (10:17) – all three of whom also ran 177kms in total across the weekend. Top efforts to Alex Keys in the 53kms!

As mentioned, it was one of Perth’s coldest weekends of the year, and every single participant did an amazing job at Ultra Series WA’s Wild Goose Chase!

Pictured: Jen Millum hitting the first event of the weekend, the 18kms. Photograph – Shannon Dale.

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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