Trail Run Australia - Sunshine Coast

Event Format

The Trail Run Australia Sunshine Coast event is a 24-hour trail running festival with a unique format. Runners complete a 5 km lap every hour on the hour, with 59 minutes and 59 seconds allowed per lap. There are no eliminations; participants who miss a lap can rest and rejoin on a later lap. The winner is the athlete or team that completes the most laps in the fastest overall time.

Distances and Categories

Multiple event options are available within the 24-hour window:

• 24hr Ultra: The full event from midday Saturday to midday Sunday.
• 10hr Ultra: Participants choose any 10 hours within the 24-hour period to run their laps.
• 5hr Challenge: A shorter event starting at 7:00 AM on Sunday.
• 5km Finale: A standalone 5 km run starting at 11:00 AM on Sunday.

Participants can enter as solo runners, in pairs, or in teams of 4 or 6. A 5-hour Family Team category is also available for up to 5 persons.

Course and Venue

The event takes place at Camp SMEAC, Ewen Maddock Dam in Landsborough on the Sunshine Coast. The repeated 5 km lap features +99m of elevation gain and loss per circuit. The terrain is approximately 3.99 km of single track and 0.91 km of fire trail.

Festival Atmosphere

The Race HQ is described as having a festival atmosphere throughout the weekend, with food, music, stalls, and support crews. A free Kids Mud Rats run for children aged 5-9 is held on Sunday. Catering is provided by the veteran charity SMEAC, with proceeds supporting their work.

Participant Requirements

Compulsory equipment includes enclosed running shoes, a water bottle or hydration pack, a race number, and a torch for overnight laps. Participants must be at least 18 years old for the 24hr solo event, with lower age limits for team entries and shorter distances. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.