Duval Dam Buster Trail Run 2026 Results
Official WebsiteDuval Dam Buster Trail Run 2026 was held on Sunday, 20 September 2026 at Dumaresq Dam Picnic Area, Armidale, NSW.
About This Event
Experience a trail run at 1000m above sea level in the stunning New England High Country. With distances from 3km to 50km, this event is perfect for all levels of runners.
Events & entry fees
Sunday 20 September
-
50km Hendo Hustle Ultra6:30am$120
-
28km Duval Almost Dirty Thirty7am$70
-
16km Duval Dam Buster7:30am$60
-
8km Duval Base Run8am$30
-
3km Duval Dash10am$20
Quick Facts
- Date
- Sunday, 20 September 2026
- Terrain
- Trail
- Location
- Dumaresq Dam Picnic Area, Armidale, NSW
- Entry Fee
- $15 - $120
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Start Time
- 6:30am (50km) to 10:00am (3km) - varies by distance
- Good for Beginners
- Yes, with the 3km and 8km options
Event Details
Course Description
The Duval Dam Buster starts and finishes at the Dumaresq Dam Recreation Area, roughly 12km from Armidale's CBD, at around 1000m above sea level in the New England High Country. The flat 3km Duval Dash follows the fire trail on the dam's western side with one creek crossing. The 8km, 16km, 28km and 50km courses climb Mt Duval on fire trail and narrow single track, with rocky sections, boulders and steps, before returning to the picnic area. The 28km and 50km routes summit Mt Duval twice via the back/eastern trail, passing a major aid station at Newholme Road. Course marking uses orange cones, tape and pink flags, with marshals at trail junctions and the CAPRA mapping app required for the longer distances.
Getting There
From Armidale CBD, follow Donnelly Street/Queen Elizabeth Drive/Handel Street onto Booroolong Road, then turn right into Dumaresq Dam Road and continue to the picnic area, about 12km in total. Parking at the venue is limited following 2023 upgrades, so car-pooling is encouraged; a free shuttle bus runs from the UNE carpark near Bellevue Oval.
Weather & What to Pack
September in Armidale is spring, with daytime temperatures averaging around 19°C and overnight lows around 3°C. Dress in layers and bring a waterproof jacket. Hydration is essential due to the elevation and trail conditions.
Race details last updated 13 Sep 2026
Planning to run Duval Dam Buster Trail Run next time?
Official WebsiteFrequently Asked Questions
What time does each distance start?
50km Hendo Hustle Ultra starts at 6:30am, 28km at 7:00am, 16km at 7:30am, 8km at 8:00am and the 3km Duval Dash at 10:00am, all from the Dumaresq Dam Recreation Area.
Is there a cut-off time?
The 50km Hendo Hustle Ultra has a 9-hour cut-off, and every event across all distances must be completed by 3:30pm on race day.
What mandatory gear is required?
The 16km, 28km and 50km events require a minimum of 500ml-1L of water, a compression bandage, a charged mobile phone and a downloaded GPX map, with extra nutrition required for the 28km and 50km and a hi-vis vest required for the 50km. A gear check happens at bib collection.
Can children participate?
Yes. The 3km Duval Dash welcomes children of all ages if accompanied by an adult guardian within arm's reach, and the 8km Duval Base Run is open to entrants aged 8 and over.
Can I camp at Dumaresq Dam?
Yes, but it's very limited - 3 caravan/motorhome sites and 6 walk-in tent sites, first-in first-served, for a maximum of 72 hours. Dogs are not permitted at the Dumaresq Dam Reserve.
parkruns near this race
Free, timed 5km every Saturday morning. A good hit-out between races, or an easy shakeout the day before this one.
- Armidale parkrun Sat 8:00am · 8.0 km away · Armidale
- Constellations of the South parkrun Sat 8:00am · 25 km away · Uralla
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