What’s On · November 2026 · NSW
Western Sydney has its own marathon, and it is flat
The Western Sydney Lakes Marathon on Saturday 21 November is billed as the region's only marathon. It's run at the Sydney International Regatta Centre in Penrith, the rowing venue from the 2000 Olympics, and the course loops the lake on sealed road, gravel and tree-lined trail with no traffic and almost no hills.
That makes it one of the better bets in the state for a first marathon or a fast half before the heat sets in. There's a marathon, a half, 10km, 5km and a 2km family run, so a whole household can start on the same morning.
If you want character more than speed, the Wahluu 1,000 on Saturday 12 December puts runners and walkers on Mount Panorama at Bathurst: the 6.2km motor-racing circuit, climb to Skyline and all. Do one lap or ten (62km). Starts run from 4am, and the field shares one goal: 1,000km between them.
A week after Penrith, the Coastal Classic on Saturday 28 November is 30km point to point through the Royal National Park, from Otford Primary School to Bundeena. It's rock, steep climbs, beach sand and rainforest, with aid at 10.5km, 17.5km, 22.5km and 26km, and a bus takes you from the finish back to Sutherland station. Start time is 8:40am, so carry more water than you think.
And on the same Saturday as the Wahluu 1,000, the Narrabeen Allnighter runs a flat 5.275km out-and-back beside Narrabeen Lake from Jamieson Park. The marathon and the 6-hour start at 2pm, the 12-hour at 6pm, and headlamps are compulsory once it's dark.
For families, the 5K Foam Fest is at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre in Horsley Park on Saturday 5 December: 5km, 25 obstacles and a lot of foam.
John, MyRaceHub
