2027 Australian Mountain and Trail Running Championships

In association with
AUTRA
Athletics Australia

This will be the very first time the combined Australian Mountain and Trail Running Championships (AMTRC) have been held. The National Champs events will be embedded within KMR's existing event program, allowing the country's fastest trail runners to compete for the national titles, while sharing the same spectacular trails and event experience as recreational runners.

You can become an AUTRA member and join a strong community of runners – plus get discounts on gear, race entries and more, or find your local Australian Athletics-affiliated club.

Photo credit: Robert Groom

What are the AMTRC2027 events?

The AMTRC2027 events are embedded within KMR's existing event program, allowing the country's fastest mountain and trail runners to compete for the national titles, while sharing the same spectacular trails and event experience as recreational runners.

These are the KMR events which are also championship events:

Championship Event KMR Event AMTRC2027 Age Categories Minimum Age for AMTRC2027 Eligibility^
Long Course Trail 80km Ultra Open*
40-49
50-59
60+ 		20
Short Course Trail Alpine Marathon 46km U20
Open*
40-49
50-59
60+ 		18
Classic Up and Downhill Mountain Running (Open) Foothills 14km Open*
40-49
50-59
60+ 		16
Classic Up and Downhill Mountain Running (U20) Foothills 9km U20 14
Uphill Mountain Running Vertical Kilometre U20
Open*
40-49
50-59
60+ 		16

*Any eligible age

^Minimum age refers to eligibility to compete for the Australian Championship title, not the minimum age to enter the KMR event. All minimum ages are as of 31 December 2027. There are no exceptions to AMTRC minimum ages.

AMTRC2027 eligibility

Everyone is welcome to run at KMR. You do not need to be eligible for the Australian Championships to enter KMR. But if you would like to be eligible for National titles, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:

Athlete support

At KMR, with the support of our partners, our goal is to bring together the deepest field of Australian trail runners to contest the AMTRC2027 and compete for selection in the Australian team for the 2027 World Mountain & Trail Running Championships (WMTRC2027).

Rather than offering prize money, we've chosen to direct our resources towards helping more athletes get to the start line.

To be eligible for Athlete Support

You are required to:

  • Be eligible to compete in the AMTRC2027
  • Have an active ITRA Runner Profile
  • Have an active ITRA Performance Index

What is being offered?

Limited numbers of complimentary AMTRC2027 event entries, hotel or billet (home stay with local trail community) accommodation, potentially travel support – pending partners' capacity

It includes:

  • 2-nights accommodation (19 and 20 March) for 2 athletes, thanks to the support of The Old Woolstore

Assessment and Athlete Selection

  • Higher ITRA index athletes, and those with demonstrated race experience and potential to represent Australia, will be favourably considered, alongside younger athletes or those new to trail
  • Wildcard applications are encouraged from athletes whose abilities may not be reflected by an ITRA index, eg. track/road runners, or those more focussed on FKT’s or adventure missions
  • Consideration will be given to recent mothers (congrats!)
  • This support is for athletes, not influencers. How many followers you have is not a consideration. What you share of your KMR story, and any support provided, is completely up to you. That said, we love celebrating and sharing stories, so if you're comfortable sharing your experience, we'd love to help share your story and inspire others to discover what's possible through trail running.
  • Unfortunately, we will not be able to support all athletes who apply
  • If you have already entered and are selected, your entry fee can be refunded (less booking fees)

Process & Timeline

September 2026 Applications open
October 2026 First round of applications assessed and successful athletes notified
December 2026 / January 2027 A second application round may open, subject to availability

Selection for the Australian team

AUTRA and AA strongly encourage participation at AMTRC 2027, if seeking consideration for Australian Team Selection for WMTRC2027.

The 2027 Team Selection Policy is coming soon. In the meantime, you can refer to the 2025 selection policy below.

2025 Selection Policy

FAQs:

You will be asked to confirm your eligibility during the registration process. Eligibility may be verified prior to presentations for all placegetters, regardless of whether you selected that you wished to compete in the AMTRC2027.

Rather than offering prize money, we've chosen to direct our resources towards helping more athletes get to the start line.

In 2027, KMR will only have one wave for each of the championship events (except the VK), as entries are limited to 200 runners in each of those events. The VK will have separate men's and women's championship waves before the rest of the field.

All good, we have kept extra entries aside so that all athletes competing in AMTRC2027 will have a spot. If an event you want to enter is sold out, send us an email.

No. AUTRA and Australian Athletics have removed the membership requirement to remove that potential barrier to compete.

You can still enter and compete at the pointy end of the field at KMR and receive a KMR trophy if you are a placegetter, but you will not be eligible for AMTRC2027 medals or National Titles, in accordance with AUTRA and Australian Athletics requirements.

Please refer to the 2027 Australian Team Selection Policy once it is released.

Not at this stage, but watch this space.

There will be separate (but consecutive) presentations, with separate trophies/medals for KMR and AMTRC2027. Where there are no international athletes on the podium, the placegetters will be the same for both KMR and AMTRC2027.

If you have already entered and are selected for AMTRC2027 Athlete Support, your entry fee can be refunded (less the booking fees).