WEEKLY NEWS REPORT – 31/7/2019

Kate Dzienis • August 1, 2019

Yaberoo Trail Ultra, WA

This weekend saw the running of the Yaberoo Trail Ultra in Joondalup, WA and offered participants three distance events – an ultra of 50km, a 25km and 15km.

Despite a cold start to the day, 50km participants hit the ground running just as the sun as coming up.

In the men’s race top spot for 1st Male, new AURA member Matt Maguire from Carlisle blitzed the trails with a finish time of 3:58:38.

Yannick Guitard came 2nd with 4:00:10 and Jason Keenehan 3rd with 4:07:05.

Surprisingly Maguire said it was his first trail race.

“I was very unsure of myself going in to the race…after running five road marathons over the last five years,” he said.

“I wasn’t enjoying the road running anymore and have loved the change up to trails in the last few months. As for the Yaberoo 50km, I only registered a week before the race, on the last night that registration was open.

“The race itself was fantastic, really well organised and a great way for me to start trail racing; perfect conditions.

“Four of us went out early in the lead. I was second going through the first 30km lap Really started to struggle at 35km, but managed to grab the lead and hold on until the end.

“Happy to say I’ve got the trail bug now, and looking to run the Albany Ultra later this year, as it’s my home town and the first time they’re doing the race.”

For the women, Lauren French took the top gong with a time of 4:25:48 whilst AURA’s very own Margie Hadley from Henley Brook held on to 2nd after completing the distance in 4:30:35.

Shaye Pett claimed 3rd Female with 5:04:01.

Hadley said Yaberoo for her was about enjoying the race, the pace, and the atmosphere around her.

“The plan was to just run and enjoy it, not worry about pace, and just run relaxed,” she said in her Strava feed.

“The ankle held up well, there was no pain running; a minor amount of swelling but overall I’m really happy with my run.”

Congratulations to all AURA members who finished the 50km event including Jon Pendse (4:07:15), Andre Pienaar (4:43:50), Sergio Gustinetti (4:48:27), Mick Francis (4:51:03), Ian North (5:03:18), Beck Hefferon (5:09:00), Jutta Kober (5:36:15), Georgia Snowball (5:50:56), Vinnie Macri (6:12:58), Shon Fry (6:45:35), Mark Caldwell (6:53:52), Kelly-Lyn Fleming (7:21:35) and Bob Colligan (7:42:00).

The next races on the AURA-calendar of events are the HerberTONNE this Sunday on August 3 in the Atherton Tablelands, Qld and the Berry Long Run on August 10 in Bacchus Marsh, Vic.

Pictured: Run coach Glen Smetherham (Consistent Running, AURA’s Coach’s Corner, and Yaberoo race director) with 50km 1st Male Matt Maguire. Photograph – Supplied.

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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