But just six runners, like pakana woman Jackie Goudy, set themselves the toughest of challenges: running 3 races including a the Ultra Marathon, across the 3 days.

Only three of the six, including Jackie, completed all three.

Jackie ran in the Vertical Kilometre on Friday afternoon, before backing it up with the extremely tough Ultra 66km (Solo) on Saturday and finished on Sunday with the easier Foothills 9km.

“I’m really tired and hungry now but I’m accomplished,” she said.

“Combining the challenge of Vertical Kilometre, the Ultra Solo and the Foothills 9km is too good to say no to. But it's not just the 'challenge'. It's opportunity to explore, succeed and get out on country,” she said.

Jackie Goudy, who now lives in Melbourne, returned to this year’s after competing last year, as the first recipient of the event’s Tasmanian Aboriginal Runner Scholarships.

“Having done this event in 2022, it's now part of my story.”

The three-day festivalwas first held in 2022 and is already the largest trail running event in Tasmania.

This year there were 6 races in total, but it also had an extensive palawa cultural and community program, which was curated by Ruth Langford from Nayri Niara.

“This was a beautiful event that saw over 25 cultural practitioners sharing knowledge and cultural connection to our magnificent kunanyi,” Ruth said.

“With palawa guiding walks, sharing dance, weaving, bush dye, music and hosting inspiring talks, we certainly celebratedancient knowledge in a way that supports the creating of good spirit for all people”.

The event’s founder, and Run Director, Lincoln Quilliam, said their intention was to use the platform of a trail running festival to also provide a safe and welcoming platform for palawato share their knowledge with the community.

That’s something Jackie Goudy said has set kunanyi Mountain Run apart from any other event.

“The fact you can have an event that connects what we do [trail running] with culture, is amazing.

“kMR does it in a way I’ve never seenand I don’t think I’ll ever see. I’ll always be connected to this event. I’ll be here til I’m not running!”