Runners at the ready to go long haul for Centennial Park ultra-marathon in September

LONG distance runners will head to Centennial Park in September for the third annual ultra-marathon.

Centennial Park Ultra Marathon

LONG distance runners will head to Centennial Park in September for the third annual ultra-marathon.

Athletes will take on the 50km (14 laps) or 100km (28 laps) courses, following a fast track around the park's white fence.

For the first time the race will also act as the 50km National Championship course, an achievement race director April Palmerlee is especially proud of.

"To have the championships come to my little course after three years is incredible," Ms Palmer said.

"But it is such an exciting course, there's so much going on.

"Running long distances can be tedious but in Centennial Park so much happens between sunrise and sunset from soccer games, to weddings, to passing horses and musicians.

"It's fantastic for runners because with every lap the scenery changes."

All runners will follow the course in a clockwise direction with those taking on the 100km course starting at 6am and the 50km runners starting at 7am.

While the race is still six months away, Ms Palmerlee is encouraging runners, support crews and potential spectators to put the date in their diaries.

"People love Centennial Park. Ordinarily it's where I train, it's where I live, and now with the championships here and some of Australia's best runners coming to compete, it will be a fantastic day."