What is the KMR Scholarship Program?
The KMR Scholarship Program has always been about more than running. It’s about creating opportunity, building confidence and showing what’s possible when people are supported by a community.
In 2027, coinciding with AMTRC2027, our focus will evolve to help identify and support up-and-coming Tasmanian trail runners who want to perform at a national (and potentially, international) level. Through coaching, mentoring, race opportunities and the support of the KMR community, our 2027 KMR Scholars will be guided at each step of their journey:
$5,000+
Total value of the Scholarship Program (per person)
5 months
Individual coaching, support and strength training
Race entries + gear
Entries, shoes, nutrition and more
Our Scholarships are open to Australian citizens and Tasmanian residents, and we continue to be committed to supporting people whose lives could be transformed by this opportunity. We strongly encourage applications from the Tasmanian Aboriginal community, refugee and new migrant community members, and from under 23 runners.
We know that our KMR Scholars' journeys inspire others. Scholars will be invited to share their experiences with the wider community through storytelling, photography and video content captured by KMR and our partners.
9 September @ 12pm
Applications open
21 September @ 9pm
Applications close
1 October
Shortlist invited for interview and trial run
11 October, 8–11am
In-person interviews and trial run with Kunanyi around Cascade
14 October
Selected applicants notified
Mid/Late October
2027 Scholarship Team announced
Training and Coaching
- 5-month individually catered and trail-specific run training program and personal coaching by Run Coach, Dave Bailey
-
strength and conditioning program
including pre and post strength and VO2 peak testing
to measure the impact of training on participants' health and
fitness (valued at $2,075)
- Peer support from Scholarship Team alumni
Group Sessions
- Adventure skills and mindset sessions on Kunanyi led by Adventure Coach, Lincoln Quilliam
- Sessions with guest coaches Jessica Collins and Billy Curtis who have represented Australia internationally
- Sports nutrition session with Accredited Sports Dietitian Dannielle Hibbard from HHS Life
- Navigation session with experienced bushwalker and trail runner, Jess McDonald
Complimentary Run Entries
- KMR 2027 event/s (valued at up to $545)
- Kunanyi Trail Series – Cascade Slide (Bar Edition) – 31 October 2026 (valued at up to $75)
- Kunanyi Trail Series – 21 February 2027 (valued at up to $75)
- KMR 2027 Training Runs (up to 3) – 23–25 January 2027 (valued at up to $240)
Gear, Nutrition and Support
- NNormal shoes
- Find Your Feet gear – $100 voucher
- Bulk Nutrients recovery products – $100 voucher
- Moor Endurance gels – $100 voucher
KMR Merch Pack
Subject to sizing in stock
- Palawa tech tee (valued at $50)
- Cotton tee (valued at $50)
- Run cap or trucker cap (valued at up to $50)
- Beanie (valued at $30)
- Race belt (valued at $18)
- Reusable cup (valued at $10)
- Buff (valued at $15)
- Patch (valued at $10)
- Be an Australian citizen and a resident of Tasmania and have capacity to travel to Kunanyi for the sessions and events.
- Be at least 16 years old (as of 28 September 2026) and have parent/guardian consent if under 18.
- Have an interest in, and potential capability to, compete in trail running at a national level.
- Be comfortable sharing your story through your own channels and content captured by KMR and our partners for use across KMR channels, including social media, email newsletters and mainstream media.
- You'll be required to complete the online application form
- Applications will be assessed and shortlisted
- Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a trial run and interviews
- A final assessment will be made after interviews
Applicants will be assessed on:
- Potential for Performance: Demonstrated potential, capability and aspiration to develop as a competitive trail runner and compete at a higher level.
- Commitment to the Program: Capacity and willingness to fully engage with the program, including mentoring, training opportunities, events and scholarship activities.
- Contribution to the Trail Running Community: Willingness to inspire, support and encourage others to participate in trail running and the broader outdoor community.
- Alignment with Program Objectives: How the applicant's goals, values and aspirations align with the purpose of the KMR Scholarship Program.
Meet the coaches
Lincoln Quilliam
Lincoln loves exploring with Kunanyi and immersing in the wild landscapes of Lutruwita/Tasmania. Lincoln’s coaching centres on confidence, curiosity, and the mental adaptability needed to thrive in wild places.
He focuses on navigating uncertainty, managing expectations, and building comfort in challenging terrain. Adventure and play open the door to resilient, grounded ways of thriving on the trails.
Dave Bailey
Dave is a qualified Recreational Running Coach with a wealth of experience as both an athlete and mentor. He's been the coach for our KMR Scholarship program for the past 3 years, supporting emerging trail runners to build confidence, skills and achieve their goals.
Dave is one of Tasmania's most accomplished trail runners, having represented Australia at the Skyrunning World Championships and completed 28 ultramarathons, along with hundreds of races across a wide range of distances.
Meet the guest coaches
Jessica Collins
Jess is an experienced trail and ultramarathon runner, who has been competing since 2013 across a wide range of events, from road races and local cross-country competitions to challenging mountainous ultramarathons. She's represented Australia at the 2019 Trail Running World Championships and the 2022 Skyrunning World Championships. She has also achieved podium finishes at several Australian trail-running events.
Before becoming a coach, Jess completed a PhD and worked as a postdoctoral neuroscientist at the University of Tasmania. A self-described science geek, she is passionate about understanding the biological foundations of athletic performance, training adaptation and recovery. Her scientific background allows her to take an evidence-based approach to coaching while still recognising that every athlete is different.
Billy Curtis
Billy’s knowledge lies strongly around being adaptable to the terrain that is being thrown at you. As anyone who has raced on the Tassie trails knows, finding rhythm requires adapting to the terrain underfoot and making mentally sharp decisions while fatigued.
Billy focuses on creating a calm training environment, helping you make good decisions and focusing on controllable variables when tackling your long sort after adventure. He is happy to take on any race course, but prefers the wild courses that are difficult to find rhythm on. He loves the mountain marathon distance with plenty of vert! Billy had represented Australia at the World Mountain & Trail Championships and podiumed at international races such as Madeira Island Ultra, Hong Kong 100 and Ultra Trail Australia.
KMR Scholarship Team Alumni
Each year, we follow our Scholarship Team along the 5 months to KMR weekend, as they challenge themselves and grow physically and mentally, while creating their own special community.