Register now!

Vertical Kilometre 5km

2027 Australian Uphill Mountain Running Championship event

In association with
AUTRA Athletics Australia

2027 Australian Uphill Mountain Running Championship event

1,000m+   Friday, 19th March 2027 @ 2pm. Waves every 10mins, first bus departs Runhub at 1.00pm

The best kept secret...

If you’re going to feel the burn for a full 1,000m of climbing, you should do it on a course as stunning as it is challenging! With four unique sections on a course that only previous runners know about, you'll learn trail running's best kept secret: you don’t have to runs up hills. This is the perfect event for anyone looking for a challenge: whether you’re a walker, hiker, or trail run enthusiast. This is Australia’s only certified Vertical Kilometre and the Uphill Mountain Running event for the 2027 Australian Mountain and Trail Running Championships.

Register now! Mandatory gear Schedule

Registration closes: 17th March @ 11.59pm AEDT

Presented by:
Cascade Brewery

Course description

Want to test your fitness? This is the steepest and shortest route up the mountain, run via some famous (and one secret) Kunanyi tracks. The Vertical Kilometre course embraces the steepness of Kunanyi’s eastern face, taking in the super steep Breakneck Track, Hunters Track, Organ Pipes and then straight up boulder fields to the Pinnacle to finish. Don’t feel bad if you can’t run this the whole way. Nobody - not even the top elites - will actually run all the way up this one.

The VK course map isn't published, on the request of land managers.

2022 Course video

Logistics

  • Collect your bib and timing chip at the Runhub
  • Buses take you from the Runhub to near the start line
  • Walk 800m on fire trails to the start line
  • "Run" the VK
  • Drop bags and recovery station at the Pinnacle
  • Buses take you back to the Runhub
  • Presentations and after party at the Runhub

Drop bags:
If you’d like a warm jacket and any other personal favourites waiting for you at The Pinnacle, leave a drop bag with us at the Runhub and we’ll take it up to The Pinnacle for you.

We care about your safety whilst out there, so check out the list of mandatory gear.

Mandatory gear list

FAQs:

The VK course map isn't published, at the request of land managers. Check out the course description for the route.

No, but have a good look at course description to assess if you’re up for the challenge. If you’d like to know more about trail running before signing up, join the Hobart Trail Runners and come out to a few social runs. The friendly crew has heaps of knowledge to share! www.kunanyiTrailSeries.com.au run a series of four 5-20km events over the year and is a great intro to trail running events on Kunanyi as well as a serious challenge for more experienced trail runners wanting to push the pace.

Yes there is, please refer to our Registration Policies

No, go for it!

The VK is the steepest route up the mountain! Not even the top elites will be running the entire length of this one. The best kept secret of trail running is you don’t really run uphill anyway so all good. The final bus is scheduled to leave The Pinnacle around 5pm. If you think it might take you longer than that, please consider doing the Foothills on Sunday instead.

Yes absolutely! We care about your safety and this mandatory gear will help you survive in the unlikely event of requiring a rescue.

Kunanyi pinnacle is typically 10 degrees cooler than the city.

Junction Cabin (which is a 3.5km walk from The Springs) or the viewing platforms (below the Observation Shelter) at The Pinnacle are the best spectator locations for the VK.

No. There are toilets at the Runhub (so go before you jump on the bus) and at the finish line at The Pinnacle. If you must go to the toilet on course, leave your run pack on the side of the track so sweepers do not leave you behind, dig a 15cm deep hole and fully bury, or carry out all waste.

Yes, there is a recovery station at the finish line and will have water, electrolytes, fruit, lollies, salty snacks, toilets, first aid, shelter, and of course, friendly volunteers!

Statistically, March is pretty much the most stable weather month of the year. But this is Tassie, and every few years or so it does snow on Kunanyi on Christmas day - so be prepared for wild weather! The mandatory gear is specified for your safety. We will be providing some more guidance prior to the event on when and why to use the mandatory gear to keep you as safe as possible. We also have a professional wilderness event medical and emergency response team and first aiders at all aid stations and roving on course to assist you if required. There are extreme weather circumstances which would postpone the event, eg, extreme or catastrophic bushfire danger (Wellington Park is then completely closed to everyone), or Severe Weather Warning for damaging winds - no one wants a tree falling on them. Emergency services will be involved in all such decisions, and you will be notified at earliest opportunity of any course changes, or event postponements - which may be very late notice.

Not likely, and how cool is running in snow! Even if is a blizzard at the pinnacle, it’s likely that the runs will still go ahead, but would likely be re-routed to avoid alpine areas, and you will be notified at earliest opportunity of any changes.

If you need more info to enable you to register then please let us know! If you would like more info to prepare for your Kunanyi run, we will be producing a detailed Festival Booklet ahead of the event - if your question can’t wait that long then no worries, go ahead and reach out here!

You can find all the information about the Australian Mountain & Trail Running Championships on our AMTRC2027 page.