Hobart Observer JANUARY 2022 25
Sport
Runners set to blaze kunanyi trail in 2022 Above and right: trail runner Robbie Hunt in training for the upcoming kunanyi Mountain Run
HOBART’S reputation as an epic trail running location continues to grow with the launch of the 2022 kunanyi Trail Series, with numerous events to be held throughout the year. The kunanyi Trail Series has been a staple on Hobart’s running calendar since it began in 2019. But this year’s series will be the first under new ownership, with Lincoln Quilliam and partner Catherine Graue taking on the venture with friends Nikki and James Burrows. “We have seen incredible strength build in Tasmania’s trail running community and we want to support the community to get out on the trails together,” Mr Quilliam said. “We are so spoilt in Hobart to have an incredible natural playground at our doorstep here in nipaluna/Hobart. “We love how trail running on kunanyi helps people connect
with the bush and we’re stoked to be providing community-based opportunities for more people to get out there.” Trail Series’ courses have traditionally ranged from seven kilometres to a half marathon (21 kilometres), on various tracks on the slopes of kunanyi/Mount Wellington. But for the first time, shorter distance races will be offered at each event in 2022, giving more people an opportunity to get involved. The 2022 series kicks off on Sunday 20 February with the 7.3 kilometre and three kilometre ‘kunanyi Sunrise’ event; before the inaugural kunanyi Mountain Run (kMR) is held over the weekend of 8-10 April. While the 68 kilometre course can be run solo by experienced trail runners, it can also be run as a five-person relay. “The relay would be
suited to runners who might have recently had a crack at the Point to Pinnacle and would like to step up to the next challenge whilst sharing the experience and the stories with a bunch of great mates,” Mr Quilliam, who is also the kMR race director, said. Two of Tasmania’s best multi-sport athletes - Alex Hunt and younger brother Robbie - do much of their training on kunanyi’s network of trails and have already signed up to the kMR. Alex will attempt the gruelling 68 kilometre Ultra solo trail run, while Robbie will tackle the event’s Vertical Kilometre, which takes the steepest route up kunanyi/Mount Wellington - covering 1000 metres of elevation over five kilometres. “I think the Vertical Kilometre is a very pure form of racing,” Robbie said. “When you’re a child, you often say ‘race you to the top’ and for me it
was my brother. “It’s such a unique place that we live in, to have such incredible trails on our doorstep, close to a major city. So when kMR was announced, I was very excited.” Nikki Burrows said the number of entrants in each event was capped, to help maintain the strong community vibe. “It was really important for us to open up the series to more families, because we would love to see the next generation getting out on kunanyi and Tasmania’s trails more broadly,” she said. “We know that being active outdoors in nature, or running wild, can help promote people’s physical but also importantly their mental wellbeing.” To register for the kMR go to www. kunanyimountain.run; or for more information on the kunanyi Sunrise event visit https:// kunanyitrailseries.com.au
