ABOUT
Running Wild Trail Association is a not-for-profit organisation. Our purpose is to organise fun, affordable, safe trail running events in the Blue Mountains, Australia.
How it all began
Founded by Trail Runners for Trail Runners.
Running Wild NSW began with three trail runners in the Blue Mountains — Sean Greenhill, Rod Cutler, and Phil Murphy — who wanted to offer a range of different trail runs in the lead up to the Six Foot Track Marathon.
Their creativity and skill got the organisation off the ground, managing everything from course design to post-race BBQs, and even the logo.
In the first year, additional runners joined the committee, bringing diverse skills that eased the workload and ensured long-term sustainability.
In honor of their efforts, race numbers 1, 2 and 3 are permanently reserved for them at all Running Wild NSW races.
Our Community
Explore and Enjoy the Blue Mountains with Running Wild.
Running Wild NSW aims to offer runners a range of trail running opportunities throughout the year in the Blue Mountains National Park. Although the Blue Mountains host popular events like the Six Foot Track and Ultra Trail Australia, there are countless other excellent trails out there waiting to be enjoyed, and we want them to be enjoyed by all runners – from elite athletes to those seeking a fun day out running with friends.
We work with partners like National Parks and Wildlife Services and Blue Mountains City Council to put on the best events we can, and your race entry fees support them in the upkeep of not only the trails we run on but all trails throughout the Blue Mountains.
After each race runners and volunteers can enjoy food and drinks while recovering and chatting. We hope to see you at the next Running Wild event! Check out our calendar to see our upcoming events!
The Committee, Running Wild.
Our Committee
| President | Melissa Stewart McSeveny |
| Vice PResident | Anthony Crick |
| Treasurer | Brad Smithers |
| Secretary | Helen Pretty |
| Committee | Gavin Clifton Dennis Clarke Graham Miller Michelle Page Julie Lyons Mark Page Bernard Hoffman Karl Ankers Drew Morrison Ben Garvan |
Join The Committee
Help Shape Our Events: Join the Running Wild Committee!
We’re always looking for passionate volunteers to join our committee and help shape our events. Committee members help behind the scenes to organise events, order merch, coordinate event day volunteers, and have the opportunity to be a race director if they’re keen. Email us here to get involved!
Melissa Stewart McSeveny
Melissa Stewart McSeveny didn’t take up running until after having kids but is now a self-confessed running geek. She listens to all the podcasts, reads all the books and articles, will talk to anyone who’ll listen about any aspect of running, and in 2021 became an accredited coach.
Melissa holds the fastest known time running from Jenolan Caves to Nepean River and just loves getting out on the beautiful local trails of Dharug and Gundungurra country. Mel is on the Running Wild Committee to encourage others to get out and share those beautiful trails and get amongst the awesome Blue Mountains running community.
Anthony Crick
From Sydney’s Hills District, Anthony, also known as Red, has been regularly seen at Running Wild events since 2013, both competing & volunteering with his wife Mel and their children. Anthony has multiple completions of iconic events in the Blue Mountains, such as Six Foot Track Marathon, TNF/UTA100, Mt Solitary Ultra and Unreasonable East 100M, amongst countless Running Wild events.
Anthony became a Running Wild committee member in Season 10 and is often encouraging others to enjoy the Blue Mountains by volunteering or participating at our events – it’s the best way to appreciate and share the country we live on.
Brad Smithers
Brad, born and raised in Sydney, discovered trail running in 2010 on his 50th birthday with the Six Foot Track Marathon. Since then, he’s embraced bush trail running, participating in events like the Ultra Trail Australia, Great North Walk (GNW), and Great Ocean Road Ultra. He’s also paced and crewed for runners in events such as the GNW miler and Coast To Kosci Ultra Marathon.
On the trails, Brad values the fellowship with other runners and the connection with nature. A believer in “Pay it Forward,” he strives to repay kindness by helping others.
Brad has been a Running Wild member since its inception and became Treasurer in 2013.
Helen Pretty
I run trails. Lots of them. I’m not fast, but I love the peace, tranquility, and scenery, often running with a camera to capture the magic moments. With over 20 years of running both short and long distances, marathons and 50 km races are my favorites.
I’ve participated in events like the Six Foot Track Marathon, Woodford to Glenbrook, Wild Endurance, the Kepler Challenge in NZ, and various road races including the Gold Coast, Sydney, and Tokyo Marathons. Though I’m usually in the back half of the pack, I enjoy every moment.
I love being part of the Running Wild committee, volunteering at events and crewing. It’s rewarding to give back to the sport I love and help others achieve their goals.
Gavin Clifton
A Wentworth Falls local who started running in 2018 after training on the Furber Stairs for the Firies Climb for MND (when it was based in Sydney Tower), Gavin has now brought the annual Firies Climb for MND to the mountains and joined the RW committee. He gives his energy to local grassroots running events and always supports the trail running community.
Dennis Clarke
Wishing to return to the athletic roots of his youth following a period of inactivity, Dennis embraced road running, progressing from a 5km race to the Sydney Marathon in 2008. Discovering trail races in 2010, he completed events such as Six Foot Track and UTA 100, and contributed to Running Wild as a participant and committee member from thereon.
Graham Miller
Known to Running Wild as ‘Ziggy’, Graham has served on the Running Wild committee since 2023, organising volunteers for each event. A passionate trail runner since moving to the Blue Mountains, Ziggy loves the camaraderie and inclusivity of the sport. He can often be seen on the Blue Gum Swamp trails or running loops with 440 Glenbrook.
Michelle Page
Michelle embraced running after starting a family, finding joy in both road and trail events. Her trail running journey began over a decade ago with Running Wild’s Mt Portal event, leading to remarkable adventures in local, interstate and international races. Passionate about the running community, Michelle joined the Running Wild Committee in 2024 to support and inspire others to enjoy the trails and events that she loves.
Mark Page
Mark’s passion for trail running began with his first Running Wild event over ten years ago. Captivated by the experience, he went on to compete in local races such as the Six Foot Track, UTA 50 and UTA 100. Over the years, Mark has participated in and volunteered at numerous local, regional, interstate and international running events. In 2025, Mark (re)joined the RW Committee to give back to the vibrant running community that has continued to inspire him.
Karl Ankers
Karl began running in 1996 in North Wales, UK, competing in numerous 10k and half marathon events before completing his first marathon in London in 2001. After relocating to Australia that same year and settling in Blaxland with his family, Karl developed a passion for local trail running. His first RW event was Narrowneck Night Run in 2010. Having participated in many races, including his first 100km event at the North Face 100 in 2009, and taken on various volunteering roles, Karl is now eager to contribute to the running community as a committee member.
Drew Morrison
When Drew left the flatlands for the majestic Blue Mountains, he instantly became hooked on trail running through Running Wild. Before joining the RW Committee, Drew had run the Six Foot Track Marathon, Bondi to Manly and UTA100, as well as iconic road marathons including Sydney, Paris, New York, Tokyo and Berlin. Drew loves helping others to achieve their running goals and enjoy the epic local trails with Running Wild. A proud mid-packer, he dreams of perfecting the Cliff Young Shuffle and catching a glimpse of the elusive Blue Mountains Panther.
Ben Garvan
Ben discovered a passion for running following major spinal surgery in 2019. Residing in the lower Blue Mountains, he began exploring the trails of Glenbrook National Park and now runs for fitness, friendship, and the challenge of a race. He has competed in numerous events, including Oxfam100, Sydney Marathon, Ultra Trail Australia and the Six Foot Track Marathon. Ben is dedicated to supporting others in achieving their running goals, whether big or small. He is often seen running the loops at 440 Glenbrook on Saturday mornings or participating in Parkrun with his family.
Our Committee History
Season 1 - 2010/2011
| President | Sean Greenhill |
| Vice PResident | Rod Cutler |
| Treasurer | Mark Oh |
| Secretary | Luis Vazquez-Recio |
| Committee | Phil Murphy Ben Berriman Keith Hong |
Season 2 - 2011/2012
| President | Sean Greenhill |
| Vice PResident | Rod Cutler / Ben Berriman – Voted in Jan / Feb 2012 |
| Treasurer | Luke Doyle |
| Secretary | Luis Vazquez-Recio |
| Committee | Ian Sargent Helen Pretty Luke Doyle Keith Hong Phil Murphy Ben Berriman Melanie Parry Jo Nevin Garth McInerney Ewan Horsburgh |
Season 3 - 2012/2013
| President | Sean Greenhill – resigned . Ben Berriman – Acting |
| Vice PResident | Ben Berriman |
| Treasurer | Luke Doyle |
| Secretary | Luis Vazquez-Recio |
| Committee | Ian Sargent Luke Doyle Keith Hong Ewan Horsburgh Helen Pretty Melanie Parry – Resigned Jo Nevin – Resigned Garth McInerney Phil Murphy |
Season 4 - 2013/2014
| President | Luis Vazquez-Recio |
| Vice PResident | Ian Sargent |
| Treasurer | Brad Smithers |
| Secretary | Helen Pretty |
| Committee | Luke Doyle Annie Mackie Garth McInerney Marcus Cockshutt Ewan Horsburgh Martin Dugdale |
Season 5 - 2014/2015
| President | Luis Vazquez-Recio |
| Vice PResident | Ian Sargent |
| Treasurer | Brad Smithers |
| Secretary | Helen Pretty |
| Committee | Luke Doyle Annie Mackie Marcus Cockshutt Ewan Horsburgh Martin Dugdale Antony Bowesman |
Season 6 - 2015/2016
| President | Ian Sargent |
| Vice PResident | Luke Doyle |
| Treasurer | Brad Smithers |
| Secretary | Helen Pretty |
| Committee | Annie Mackie Ewan Horsburgh Martin Dugdale Paul Waddell Oliver Archer David Jagger Antony Bowesman |
Season 7 - 2016/2017
| President | Ian Sargent |
| Vice PResident | Brad Smithers |
| Treasurer | Carla Sawyer |
| Secretary | Helen Pretty |
| Committee | Annie Mackie Martin Dugdale Paul Waddell Oliver Archer David Jagger Shaun Whitehouse Brett Phelan |
Season 8 - 2017/2018
| President | Ian Sargent |
| Vice PResident | Brad Smithers |
| Treasurer | Carla Sawyer |
| Secretary | Helen Pretty |
| Committee | Annie Mackie Martin Dugdale Paul Waddell Oliver Archer David Jagger Shaun Whitehouse Matt Dunshea |
Season 9 - 2018/2019
| President | Ian Sargent |
| Vice PResident | Brad Smithers |
| Treasurer | Carla Sawyer |
| Secretary | Helen Pretty |
| Committee | Martin Dugdale Paul Waddell Oliver Archer David Jagger Mark Page Melaine Crick Kate Tuckey Matt Dunshea |
Season 10 - 2019/2020
| President | Matt Dunshea |
| Vice PResident | Paul Waddell |
| Treasurer | Brad Smithers |
| Secretary | Helen Pretty |
| Committee | Ian Sargent Mark Turnbull Nikki Connors Oliver Archer Mark Page Melaine Crick Kate Tuckey Melissa Stewart McSeveny Anthony Crick David Jagger |
Season 11 - 2020/2021
| President | Matt Dunshea |
| Vice PResident | Mark Turnbull |
| Treasurer | Brad Smithers |
| Secretary | Helen Pretty |
| Committee | Nikki Connors Oliver Archer Alice Penfold Melaine Crick Melissa Stewart McSeveny Anthony Crick Paul Wadell Kate Tuckey |
Season 12 - 2021/2022
| President | Matt Dunshea |
| Vice PResident | Mark Turnbull |
| Treasurer | Brad Smithers |
| Secretary | Helen Pretty |
| Committee | Melaine Crick Melissa Stewart McSeveny Nikki Connors Anthony Crick Alice Penfold Dennis Clarke |
Season 13 - 2022/2023
| President | Matt Dunshea |
| Vice PResident | Mark Turnbull |
| Treasurer | Brad Smithers |
| Secretary | Helen Pretty |
| Committee | Melaine Crick Melissa Stewart McSeveny Anthony Crick Anne Bennett Dennis Clarke |
Season 14 - 2023/2024
| President | Melissa Stewart McSeveny |
| Vice President | Anthony Crick |
| Treasurer | Brad Smithers |
| Secretary | Helen Pretty |
| Committee | Melaine Crick Mark Turnbull Matt Dunshea Dennis Clarke Graham Miller |
Volunteer
Do you want to see what the other side of an event is like? Join in as a volunteer!
We rely on volunteers for various race day tasks, such as registration assistance, manning aid stations, marshalling along the course and finish area, and course marking.
Volunteers receive a free race entry for their help: assist at a short course race to earn a free entry to the next short course race, or help at a long course event to earn a free entry to the next long course event.
Running Wild NSW is a not-for-profit run entirely by passionate volunteer runners who enjoy seeing others on the trails. We hold an annual AGM to elect committee members, and we welcome anyone interested in getting involved with our events and organisation.
To find out more, email us here.