If you’re wondering whether trail runners know how to relax, the answer over the next fortnight is a firm no. From racing through Glenbervie Forest in New Zealand to circling the Red Centre one backyard lap at a time, Australia’s winter calendar continues to deliver every flavour of suffering imaginable.
Whether you’re chasing a buckle, ticking off your first marathon or just looking for an excuse to spend the weekend on the trails, here’s what’s coming up across Australia and New Zealand.
Australia
Sydney Ultra Marathons
Date: 25–26 July 2026
Location: St Ives, NSW
Distances: 30km, 50km, 100km
Website: https://sydneyultramarathons.au/
Forget the stereotype that Sydney is all beaches and harbour views. Sydney Ultra Marathons heads into the bush from St Ives Showground, linking together Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, Garigal National Park, Manly Dam and the surrounding reserves. With 30km, 50km and 100km distances on offer, it’s proof that one of the world’s biggest cities still has genuine wilderness trail running right on its doorstep.
Australian Outback Marathon
Date: 25 July 2026 (Sold Out)
Location: Yulara, Northern Territory
Distances: marathon, half marathon, 11km and 6km
Website: https://australianoutbackmarathon.com/
There aren’t many races where you can toe the line with Uluru towering in the background. The Australian Outback Marathon is one of Australia’s most iconic destination trail events, taking runners across the red dirt and open desert surrounding Yulara. With marathon, half marathon, 11km and 6km options, it’s all about soaking up one of the world’s most recognisable landscapes. Unsurprisingly, this year’s event has already sold out.
Northland 100
Date: 25–26 July 2026
Location: Glenbervie Forest, New Zealand
Website: northland100.nz
Northland 100 takes runners deep into Glenbervie Forest, where dense native bush, rolling forestry roads and relentless hills combine to create one of New Zealand’s toughest winter ultras. With distances ranging from 15km through to a 165km ultra, there’s plenty of choice, but none of them come easy. The event centres around a lively race village at the forestry headquarters, giving competitors somewhere to regroup before heading back out into the vast network of trails.
Mad Max Marathon
Date: 1 August 2026
Location: Broken Hill Racecourse, NSW
Website: madmaxmarathon.com.au
If you’ve ever watched Mad Max 2 and wondered what it’d be like to run through the Australian outback, this is about as close as you’ll get. Held around Broken Hill Racecourse, the Mad Max Marathon embraces the region’s cinematic history with marathon, half marathon, 10km run, 10km walk, kids’ events and plenty of post-race fun. It’s one of those events that doesn’t take itself too seriously, but still delivers a uniquely Australian race-day atmosphere.
Rumble in the Jungle
Date: 1 August 2026
Location: Ulong, NSW
Website: coffstrailrunners.com
Hosted by Coffs Trail Runners, Rumble in the Jungle heads inland to Ulong for a day of proper bush running through the forests of the Coffs Coast hinterland. Choose from 8km, 21km, 30km, 50km or the full 100km challenge, with the longer distances spending hour after hour weaving through remote forest trails. It’s one of those grassroots events that quietly builds a loyal following every year—not because it’s flashy, but because the running speaks for itself.
Red Centre Wringer Backyard Ultra
Date: 1 August 2026
Location: Alice Springs, NT
Website: asrwc.com.au
There are no finish lines in backyard ultras—only another lap. Hosted by the Alice Springs Running and Walking Club, the Red Centre Wringer follows the classic backyard formula: complete a 6.7km loop every hour until only one runner remains. Under the wide Central Australian sky, the challenge quickly shifts from physical fitness to patience, pacing and resilience. As the laps add up, it becomes less about speed and more about who can keep answering the bell.
Truth or Consequences (Perth Trail Series)
Date: 2 August 2026
Location: Serpentine National Park, WA
Website: perthtrailseries.com.au
The fourth event in the Perth Trail Series Winter calendar, Truth or Consequences takes runners into Serpentine National Park with course options that mirror ski-run difficulty ratings. Green (6km), Blue (11.8km), Black (25km) and Double Black (50km) give everyone from first-timers to experienced ultra runners something to chew on. Expect rocky trails, steady climbing and the relaxed, community feel that’s become a hallmark of the Perth Trail Series.
The Australian and New Zealand trail calendars continue to show just how diverse the sport has become. It doesn’t matter whether you’re toeing the line at a marquee ultra or a smaller community event, every race has its own character, fabulous volunteers and unique local trails that make it worth experiencing. We hope to see you out there.
