Guests on our running tours often ask what races are taking place in the city. Perth running races are held throughout the year with a large range in distances, being appropriate for both kids and adults. In 1970, the running events in Perth started, when a group of runners formed the WA Marathon Club (WAMC) to bring the community together and hold regular events to promote living a healthy lifestyle.
The HBF Run for a Reason attracts the greatest numbers and the Perth Marathon is the most prestigious event as it culminates in the state titles. Along with all of these amazing events, you could also check out our Perth Running Tours, and see if there is anything that catches your eye.
Perth Running Races 2020 is a list of our favorite running races in Perth this year.
Main Perth Running Races
Perth Marathon
Date: October 2023 (TBC)
Start Time: TBA
Go! Running Tours Perth have competed in this marathon in past years and enjoyed some success and challenges (oxygen at the end!) in completing the event; but it is worth the effort to finish this magical distance when you cross that finish line to cheering from friends, family, and spectators!
Up until 2018, this event has been organized by the WAMC, but last year it was incorporated into the Perth Running Festival who supports the charity – The Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research. The event is a road race and finishes in Optus Stadium where you will get a rare opportunity to finish in our magnificent stadium on the shores of the Swan River.
Extras: Other distances include 4km, 14km, and Half Marathon.
HBF Run for a Reason
Date: 21 May 2023
Start Time: 4km – 9.00am, 12km – 8.00am, Half Marathon – 6.45am
HBF Run for a Reason celebrated 10 years in 2019 and has supported many charities throughout this time. It is one of the most wholesome events of all the Perth running races. The event attracts participants from all walks of life running or walking for their own reason – #hbfrun community.
My family and I have run various distances over the last few years and it is always a great festival atmosphere.
Run a 20km with a private guide that is designed for you in terms of pace, route, etc.
Smaller and Club Races
Bridges Fun Run
Date: 2 April 2023
Start Time: 10km – 8.00am, 5km – 8.15am
The “Bridges”, as its known to the locals, has a long history and was the major fun run in Perth for many years. The Bridges is a 10km loop around the Swan River where you cross the Narrows Bridge at the freeway end and run along the South Perth foreshore and cross the Causeway at the East Perth end back to the City. You will see plenty of runners, walkers, and cyclists on any day getting some exercise in around the river.
Since 2019 there has been a new start/finish at Elizabeth Quay which should only build to the success of the event and hopefully some PB’s!
The Bridges Fun Run is organized by the volunteers at the WAMC and is always an enjoyable morning.
Best of the Coast
Date: Various
The Best of the Coast run provides 9km along the stunning white beaches of the Perth Coastline. Follow a private guide into native bushland and finish with refreshments in trendy bars or a dip in the Indian Ocean.
Goodlife Rottnest Running Festival
Date: TBC
Start Time: Marathon – 7.30am, Half Marathon – 8.15am, 10km – 10.30am, 5km – 10.25am
The Goodlife Rottnest Running Festival has been running since 1994 and is always a great weekend away, and one of the coolest Perth running races. “Rotto” as the locals call it, is a holiday island off the coast of Perth which is popular with locals and tourists alike for day trips and extended getaways. The island offers pristine waters, bays, history, quokkas, and much more. The quokkas are rat-like cute marsupials that inhabit the island and always make a good photo – Just ask Roger Federer! The only vehicles permitted on the road are service vehicles (buses included); so, it is a safe place to walk or ride around the island.
I have run the marathon a number of times and nowadays enjoy volunteering. The marathon has a Latin saying – “Veni Vidi Vici” – which sums up completing the marathon.
There is a distance to cater for everyone, even the Quokka Dash for under four-year old’s which almost stole the show last year.
The event is organized by the WAMC and supports the Royal Flying Doctors Service.
Nothing left to do but to enter your preferred distance, book your accommodation, and ferry with Rottnest Express.
In case the above Perth running races are not of interest to you and you would prefer running alone with a local runner while enjoying the city, then check out our running tours and we will be happy to guide you on one of our tours.
Happy running,
Will
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NYC RUNNING RACES 2023