Australia’s best running events: from Parkrun to City2Surf
Find your next marathon, half-marathon and other running events around Australia. From the outback to mountains to beaches, add these 10 running events to your bucket list.
Research shows recreational running boomed globally during the pandemic, and has only continued to grow. More than 700 events are held every year in Australia, inviting a new breed of fitness-minded travellers to run amok in our scenic and diverse landscapes. From the outback to mountains, from beaches to wineries, these 10 events combine a run with relaxation.
The natural wonders of Uluru and Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) cast a captivating aura over this unique “red earth” run in Central Australia. Watch sunrise spread across the desert before setting off along sandy tracks on Anangu country and under a cobalt sky. You can choose to run either a marathon, half marathon, 11km or 6km. Most participants combine the run with a holiday in the Red Centre, and organisers make this easy with a variety of packages. A fully hosted five-night package includes accommodation, airport transfers, an Uluru sunrise tour, special dinners and a day trip to Kings Canyon; July 29, 2023; July 27, 2024.
Stay:Sails in the Desert; ayersrockresort.com.au
Victoria’s High Country is the stunning backdrop for the 42km “sky marathon”, the flagship event of autumn’s Buffalo Stampede Festival. Runners begin at 1350m on Mount Buffalo and race down its granite flanks at breakneck speed into the Bucklands Valley, before tackling the treacherous Mick’s Track, a 41.8 per cent gradient gut-buster up Mystic Mountain, finishing with a merciful descent into the pretty, riverside town of Bright. Too easy? Try the 100km Bright Ultra, notching up 5000m of elevation. The less hardcore will love the 10km Twilight Skysprint (sprinting optional) or the 5km family-friendly trail run along the Ovens River; March 22-24, 2024.
Stay:The Buckland Studios; thebuckland.com.au
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Vintage has just finished and the grapevines are rusting green to gold as autumn spreads across McLaren Vale. Runners weave among the vineyards and rolling valleys, enjoying sweeping views of the southern Mount Lofty Ranges and the Fleurieu Coast, utilising the Shiraz Trail (a disused rail corridor), and the region’s new Flat to Vine Trail, which follows the red gum-lined Pedler Creek. Based at Richard Hamilton Wines, this burgeoning event started in 2021, and the atmosphere is relaxed and festive, with an outdoor cinema, weekend-long market, live music and food trucks. The half marathon is the most popular distance, and there are also 10km and 5km options; April 2024 (date TBC).
Stay: The Vineyard Retreat; thevineyardmv.com.au
ULTRA-TRAIL AUSTRALIA BLUE MOUNTAINS
The World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains National Park hosts the hottest event on Australia’s trail-running calendar. Starting from Scenic World in Katoomba, you’ll pass through Leura Forest, Wentworth Falls and Ironpot Ridge, skirting breathtaking escarpments before a thigh-burning finish up the iconic 951 Furber Steps near the Scenic Railway. Part of the UTMB World Series, it’s the second largest trail-running event in the world, with more than 7000 people competing across 11km, 22km, 50km and 100km distances. A bucket-list event for true trail runners; May 16-19, 2024.
Stay:Chalets at Blackheath; chaletsblackheath.com.au
Participants in Hobart’s Point to Pinnacle might have a masochistic streak or just love a challenge. The 21.1km run is essentially one relentless hill climb, starting at sea level at Wrest Point and ascending 1270m to the summit of Mount Wellington (kunanyi). Your rewards are panoramic views of the city, the port and the mountains beyond, and the satisfaction of having completed the most gruelling half marathon in the country. Walkers are equally welcome, and there’s a 10km Point to Pub option, finishing at Fern Tree Tavern for a well-deserved pint; November 19, 2023.
Stay:MACq 01; macq01.com.au
You’ll need to be quick off the mark to secure a spot in what is surely Australia’s finest coastal trail run, conveniently situated in Western Australia’s most celebrated wine region. Runner numbers are capped at 1500 for this 80km journey along the famous Cape to Cape Track, 250km south of Perth, and the event sells out every year. The course traverses windswept cliff tops, surf beaches, secluded coves, towering karri forests, and even includes a memorable section rock-hopping across giant granite domes. Ocean views are constant and you might even spot a whale. And if the 80km sounds daunting, form a relay with up to four friends and break it up into 10km or 20km sections, leaving plenty of energy for post-run wine tasting; May 11, 2024.
Stay:Cape Lodge;capelodge.com.au
Sydney’s City2Surf is the world’s largest fun run, with up to 70,000 runners, from elite athletes to first-timers, expected to enter the 53rd running of the event, traditionally held on the second Sunday in August. The 14km run starts at Hyde Park and takes in the sights of Kings Cross, Rose Bay, Vaucluse and Dover Heights (and the sighs of “Heartbreak Hill”) before finishing at Bondi Beach. A party atmosphere prevails, with entertainment lining the course and runners donning costumes. Everyone gets a medal, and charities are also winners, with the event hoping to raise more than $3.5m this year; August 13, 2023.
Stay: The Darling at The Star; star.com.au
GREAT OCEAN ROAD RUNNING FESTIVAL
Running hardly feels like an effort when the scenery’s as good as this. For one day in May, Victoria’s iconic Great Ocean Road is closed to traffic as more than 1000 runners trace the seaside cliffs above the Southern Ocean between Lorne and Apollo Bay. Distances range from 60km (which includes an inland loop) to 6km. If you’re just here for the holiday (or as support crew), consider the 5km or 10km walk from Lorne, so you can still experience the thrill of travelling the famous road; May 18-19, 2024.
Stay: Select a glamping package with entry and stay in luxe Bell tents in Lorne or Wye River. Includes a local produce hamper and transport to race;greatoceanroadrunfest.com.au.
You’ll feel less guilty about lazing about in paradise if you do a bit of exercise while there. Whitehaven Beach Run is part of the Hamilton Island “endurance series” – five fitness events held between May and November that include ocean swimming, kayaking and a triathlon. The half marathon is two laps of Whitehaven Beach (not easy). There are also 10km, 5km options, plus a fun run for kids. Cruise Whitsundays runs charters from Airlie Beach, included in the entry fee; June 16, 2024.
Stay: Reef View Hotel offers “race hard” packages for event participants; hamiltonisland.com.au
If you’re not a parkrunner, chances are you know somebody who is. More than 900,000 Australians have participated in this worldwide Saturday morning 5km fun run, which began in London in 2004. There are 470 parkruns around Australia, with “parkrun tourism” luring people to new places (the Australian record is 327 events). While some participants race the clock (and each other), others are happy to walk the dog and chat. Each course is different and might take in parklands, river trails, national parks or beaches (the Beaches Parkrun in Newcastle is entirely on sand). Here’s a special shoutout to my local Brimbank Parkrun in Melbourne, a gorgeous course on the Maribyrnong River that should be on everyone’s list.
For a list of running events around Australia go to runningcalendar.com.au.