WEEKLY NEWS REPORT 19-08-2021

Kate Dzienis • August 19, 2021

Birdy’s Backyard, WA
Track Ultra WA, WA
Berry Long Run, Vic
Upcoming Events/Cancellations

BIRDY’S BACKYARD

Birdy’s Backyard (Last One Standing) kicked off on Friday, August 13 in Moddiarrup, WA for its third running.

With everyone keeping a close eye on the socials for updates, it was a battle between 2020 Birdy’s Backyard winner Michael Hooker (AURA member) from East Perth and Phil Gore (AURA member) from Darling Downs who claimed the assist in 2020 then went on to win the 2020 Herdy’s Frontyard last one standing event.

Smiles all around, Gore ended up taking the win with 51 laps finishing the final lap in just over 28 minutes; Hooker claimed title of Assist with 50 laps.

AURA’s Margie Hadley from Henley Brook finished out on the 39th lap, making her 38th lap the furthest by a female in Australia (yet to be ratified).

Congratulations to all AURA members who ran and DNFd at Birdy’s Backyard including Beck Hefferon, Jutta Kober, Jen Millum, Georgia Snowball, Sergio Gustinetti, Alexis Oosterhoff, Glen Smetherham, James Sawyer, Doug Bartlett, Timothy Bond, Bianca Harding, Chris Kirkwood, Adam Loughnan, Peta Moore, Jon Pendse, Sue Robertson, Heath Watkins, Jason Kell, Chris Martin, Jerry Peters and James Brook.

On Tuesday morning, race director Shaun Kaesler announced Gore had accepted an invitation to represent at Big Dog’s Backyard Ultra World Championships in October. Gore said he was incredibly grateful for the path his ultra running had taken him.

“I have been overwhelmed by the amount of support I’ve received over the last 24 hours,” he said.

“This is my number 1 dream race, and to compete on the international stage among some of the best ultra runners in the world will just be incredible. Thank you to all of you who are helping to make it a reality.”

TRACK ULTRA WA

Set in the south west region of WA in Bunbury, the Track Ultra WA was held at the Bunbury Athletics Track over the weekend of 14-15 August (2021), a glorious two days of pristine weather over the Perth skies.

Offering a range of ‘time’ distances, participants could run laps of the track for 24 hours, 12 hours, 6 hours and 3 hours, and is generally held as the perfect event for those in WA who are unable to get to any track events over east.

Kicking off with the 24hr Run/Walk, there was one competitor with Justin Scholz taking out the title after completing 376 laps (161.692km).

In the 24hr Women’s event, it was an all-round AURA podium finish with AURA’s very own Kerriann Bresser from Lesmurdie taking out 1st Female after completing 381 laps with a total of 152.400km. AURA member Myra Keep from Perth held on for 2nd Female with 332 laps and 132.800km, whilst AURA’s Pamela Williams from Esperance took 3rdFemale after 332 laps and 132.800kms.

In the 24hr Men’s event, AURA’s David Kennedy from Silver Sands claimed 1st Male following his 505 laps and a total distance of 202.000kms. Another AURA member, Bryan Wright from Victoria Park, took 2nd Male with 419 laps and 167.600km, whilst Thomas Wieman took 3rd Male (163.600km).

Congratulations to all AURA members who took on the 24hr division including Graham Bell (154.000km), Glen Smetherham (121.200km), Alexis Oosterhoff (105.600km), Harmony Waite (84.800km), Charlotte Rumney(80.800km) and Cassie Hughes (49.200km),

In the 12hr Women’s event, podium spots went to Raquel Rae (99.528km), Emma Clack (80.452km) and Emma MacLennan (73.817km).

For the 12hr Men’s it was James Coffey (76.920km) and Steven Williams (46.032km).

Congratulations to all AURA members who raced in the 12hr including Louise Wallace (70.084km).

In the 6hr Women’s top spots were claimed by Cherie Savin (60.546km), Claire Slater (58.473km) and Belle Kennedy (50.593km).

In the 6hr Men’s competition 1st Male went to AURA member Nathan Fawkes from Waikiki who completed 184 laps for a total of 76.305km. Second Male was followed up with AURA’s well known ultra runner Mick Francis who clocked in 159 laps and a total of 65.937km. Third Male went to Ben Treasure with 59.630km.

Well done to AURA member Mark Caldwell who finished up with 113 laps for a total distance of 46.861km.

BERRY LONG RUN/WEEK

It was with sadness that in the days leading up to the Berry Long Run in Victoria, race director Joe Lewis announced the event would be cancelled for a second year in a row. However, with an abundance of support from the running community, a Berry Long Week was created with participants encouraged to do their event distance between Saturday, 14 August and Friday, 20 August. Using no more than 2 consecutive hours per day, runners were encouraged to run as far as they could over the 7 days and would be rewarded for vertical gain, using the formula propounded by one Jason Koop – every 100m of vert was worth an extra 1km of distance.

Rules of course were followed with many in zoned areas requiring to stay within their 5kim radius.

Because the event is still continuing and due to finish tomorrow, results of our AURA members will be posted in the next race report.

UPCOMING EVENTS/CANCELLATIONS

Unfortunately with the current pandemic hitting states all across the country, the majority of events are being cancelled or postponed. If you have registered for any events in the coming months, it’s advised to keep an eye on their FB pages; alternatively, race directors will always communicate with their participants and volunteers on the next course of action.

The Cairns Port Douglas Trail Ultra scheduled for 21 August has been cancelled.

The BottleButt Bash Trail Run at this stage is still scheduled for this Saturday, 21 August however race directors will make the call whether or not it will go ahead by 11am on Friday, 20 August. Participants should have received an email on Tuesday, 17 August.

It was announced on August 10 that Rapid Ascent’s Run Larapinta Stage Race will not proceed 26-29 August and has been deferred to the provisional date of 28 April-1 May 2022. The decision was made due to the ongoing restrictions and recent changes to the NT border entry requirements.

AAA Racing’s The Clint Eastwood (last one standing) in Rocklea, Qld is still going ahead on 27-31 August as is the Great Trail Relay WA in Kalamunda, WA on 28 August but it’s encouraged everyone stay up to date with their relevant social media platforms.

Pictured – AURA members Michael Hooker and Phil Gore battling it out for last one standing at the 2021 Birdy’s Backyard. Photograph – Astrid Volzke.

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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