When: 14 – 15 April 2012

http://runningfestival.com.au

More than 4,000 entrants took part in the inaugural Australian Running Festival, with 2012 set to be even bigger.

Don’t miss this spectacular course, incorporating The Canberra Times Canberra Marathon along with a Half Marathon and fun runs, the Australian Running Festival offers an event for all abilities, from serious runners to joggers, pushers and walkers.

The following runs will be held in the Nation’s Capital this April:

• Saturday, April 14, 2012 – 5km and 10km fun runs
• Sunday, April 15, 2012 – Half Marathon, Marathon and Ultra Marathon

When: 20th May 2012

http://www.smhhalfmarathon.com.au

Be part of Australia’s largest and most prestigious half marathon on Sunday, May 20; The Sydney Morning Herald Half Marathon presented by Colonial First State.

Take on the newly introduced one lap course, which will be improved from start to finish for 2012 with City2Surf style wave starts incorporated to spread out the field.

The new course has retained the best elements of the old two lap course while highlighting other great areas of Sydney, like harbourside icons the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and Pyrmont Peninsula.

The event raises much needed funds for more than 600 charities, including Breast Cancer Network Australia.

What: Sydney Morning Herald Sun Run

When: Saturday, February 4, 2012

Where: From Dee Why to Manly

http://www.sunrun.com.au/

After the success of the inaugural event we’re pleased to bring back The Sydney Morning Herald Sun Run. The fun run is held the day before the Cole Classic, on Saturday, February 4, 2012.

The spectacular course (approx 6.5km) from Dee Why to Manly showcases the best of the Northern Beaches. Starting at The Strand in Dee Why and finishing on the Steyne in Manly, with all finishers receiving a commemorative medal.

Runners, joggers and walkers are all encouraged to take up the challenge of the 2nd annual Sun Run.

The event also aims to raise much needed funds for more than 600 charities, including the Dee Why Surf Life Saving Club.

What: Kathmandu Central Coast Adventure Series

When: 4th or 5th February 2012

Where: Central Coast NSW

http://www.maxadventure.com.au/adventureseries/entry.html

The Kathmandu Adventure Series moves to the Central Coast to kick off the New Year. With a great combination of Coasteering, lake paddling, single track and bush running, this event has something for everyone and is guaranteed to leave you grinning from ear to ear.

The event is being duplicated over two days to increase the capacity of the event.

Don’t miss out on this stunning event

What: Aquathon

When: Thursday 26th January 2012

Where: Wollongong Harbour

http://www.aquathon.com.au/

Australia Day morning means one thing at Wollongong and that’s ‘splash n dash’ time…

Do it on your own, or tag team, and take on the Australia day healthy fun challenge.

Attracting near 2000 participants across the three safe and fun distances, the Australia Day Aquathon has become a ‘Australia Day tradition’ for the hundreds of individuals to families that take part each year.

It’s a simple as a ‘splash’ – swim, a ‘dash’ run, and loads of fun.

Events

• Kidz Aquafun – 200m swim + 2km run
• Short Aqua – 400m swim + 3km rum
• Long Aqua – 900m swim + 7km run

November 13th 2011

5km run walk from Stuart Park

Mark Scott , a well-known local athlete, was involved in a very serious accident whilst training on Saturday the 18th of June. We are hoping that the motivation and determination that makes him a great athlete and coach will shine through and help him to recover. On November 13th 2011 there will be a special event at Stuart Park, North Wollongong to help support & raise funds to aid with marks care.

http://www.scottendurance.com.au/moveformark/

Fitzroy Falls Fire Trail Marathon
with 10km and 5km Bush Runs & 5km Walk

Saturday, October 8, 2011
8am Marathon, 8:20am 10km and 8:30am 5km Bush runs
If you’re a runner looking for a challenge, then the Fitzroy Falls marathon is for you. This is because this event is difficult. To date, only 10 males have bettered 3 hours in the years the race has been running; and only 6 females have bettered 3hrs and 30minutes.

The course is undulating, mostly on fire trails. There is a very difficult downhill section (appropriately called Gunrock Falls) at about the 10km mark and in most years there is water across parts of the track.

It’s a beautiful route though, starting at Twin Falls Cottages Fitzroy Falls, following the fire trails to Meryla Pass and finishing back at Twin Falls Cottages Fitzroy Falls.

There are also the 10km and 5m bush runs available at this event.

Find out more at http://fitzroyfallsmarathon.com/

Chances are you have probably heard the opening parable before, but when paired up with the training video of an aspiring football player the message is pretty powerful. How bad do you want success and what are you willing to go through to possess it? In fitness, success could be dropping to your ideal weight range, getting that six pack, toning those muscles or completing that marathon. In working towards that, we sometimes struggle to stay motivated, stay inspired and keep working towards that goal. Reaching the point of wanting success more than the desire to breathe is probably unrealistic so let me ask this: how much sleep, time, and short term gratification are you willing to give up in order to achieve long term success?

article rephrased from Patrick Hall -fstoppers

Last a weekend, there was a mishap in a 100km ultramarathon event in Western Australia’s Kimberley region.

Two women, who were participating in the ultramarathon suffered burns to 80% of their body. One of them, Turia Pitt, is from Ulladulla on the NSW south coast.

The Kimberley Ultramarathon was part of the “Racing the Planet” series and consisted of rugged terrain between Kununurra and the El Questro Wilderness Park. Participants in the series compete in races staged in the world’s most remote wilderness locations. It was scheduled to take place from September 2 to 4, 2011.

However the race, which started at 8:30am on Friday, 2 September, was cancelled before the end due to a serious bushfire which flared up in section 3 of the course. Eleven competitors were in the area of the fire.

News articles on the story

• Sydney Morning Herald – Recovery sets tough course for burnt victims
• Courier mail – Race inferno: Burnt runners in fight for life
• Courier mail – Women critical after marathon mishap

RUN4FUN ENTRIES NOW OPEN

Don’t miss the third annual Rebel Sport Run4Fun presented by The Sun-Herald, on Sunday November 6 at Sydney Olympic Park.

The 10km course is designed to suit everyone from beginners to experienced runners with a spectacular finish inside the stadium.

Supporting the leading children’s hospitals in NSW, entrants are encouraged to raise vital funds to help sick children across the state.

Date: Sunday, 6th November 2011
Where: Sydney Olympic Park
Distance: 10km

ENTER NOW