Compiled and fact-checked by Tommo, Verus founder · Last verified August 2026 · Spot an error?
Running · Marathons
Sydney Trail Marathon 2026
- Race day
- Sunday, 4 October 2026
- Location
- Bidjigal Reserve, Castle Hill, Australia
- Distance
- 26.2 mi / 42.2 km
Sydney Trail Marathon: 4 October 2026, from Bidjigal Reserve, Castle Hill, NSW. Entry, route, a pace chart and the race-day forecast.
Sydney Trail Marathon Race Timeline
24 days to go
This is where the real training happens — building your long run and getting comfortable with marathon race-pace.
Sydney Trail Marathon 2026: quick answers
When is Sydney Trail Marathon 2026?
Sydney Trail Marathon 2026 takes place on Sunday, 4 October 2026.
Where does Sydney Trail Marathon start?
Sydney Trail Marathon starts at Bidjigal Reserve, Castle Hill, NSW. The organiser hasn't published a finish location.
How many miles is Sydney Trail Marathon?
Sydney Trail Marathon is 26.2 miles (42.2km).
Key Race Metrics & Overview
- Date
- Sunday, 4 October 2026
- Distance
- 26.2 miles / 42.2km
- Location
- Bidjigal Reserve, Castle Hill, Australia
- Start Point
- Bidjigal Reserve, Castle Hill, NSW
- Surface
- Trail
Not published by the organiser at the time of writing: finish point, start time, cut-off time, age requirement, tracking app. Verus records these as unconfirmed rather than estimating them — check the official race website closer to race day.
Direct Entry Summary
Not published for this event — check the official race website.
Ballot Policy
No ballot — entry is direct through 180 Cadence.
Sydney Trail Marathon Race Day Weather
A real forecast appears here once one exists for race day — usually about a week to ten days out. Nothing is shown until then, because a made-up forecast is worse than none.
Sydney Trail Marathon Route Map & Elevation Profile
Starting at Bidjigal Reserve, Castle Hill, NSW. The organiser hasn't published a finish location. Total elevation gain is not published for this event, and Verus does not estimate one.
Is Sydney Trail Marathon flat?
No official elevation figure is published for this course, so Verus doesn't state one. The organiser describes the going as: trail.
Sydney Trail Marathon Course Profile
Elevation change not published for this event.
Tap a point on the course for details.
Bidjigal Reserve, Castle Hill, NSW
Start line.
Where Sydney Trail Marathon starts and finishes
Sydney Trail Marathon starts at Bidjigal Reserve, Castle Hill, NSW. We haven't been able to place those on a map accurately enough to show one — a pin in the wrong place is worse than no pin.
These are the start and finish points, not the route. Verus doesn't hold course files for this race, and drawing a line between two pins would be a guess you might end up training on.
Full Sydney Trail Marathon Route Breakdown
The 42‑km marathon begins at Eric Mobbs Reserve in Castle Hill and threads through the heart of Bidjigal Reserve’s pristine bushland. Runners will tackle rugged sandstone escarpments, sweeping valleys and forested ridges that showcase Sydney’s hidden natural beauty. The trail surface varies from packed dirt to rocky outcrops, offering both technical challenges and rewarding vistas. Aid stations are strategically placed along the course to keep participants hydrated and fueled. The route returns to the start finish line, delivering a loop that highlights the reserve’s diverse terrain while providing a supportive atmosphere of fellow trail enthusiasts. Spectators line the course at key viewpoints, and the finish area features a celebratory atmosphere with music and refreshments for all participants.
Sydney Trail Marathon Pace Calculator & Splits
Sydney Trail Marathon Pace Calculator
Enter a target finish time to see your pace and projected splits.
Average pace / mile
9:10
Average pace / km
5:42
Sydney Trail Marathon Pace Chart
Split markers calculated for standard checkpoints — no official pacers are confirmed for this event.
| Target | Pace /mi | Pace /km | 5K | 10K | Half Marathon | 30K | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3:00 | 6:52 | 4:16 | 21:21 | 42:41 | 1:30:04 | 2:08:04 | 3:00:00 |
| 3:15 | 7:27 | 4:37 | 23:07 | 46:15 | 1:37:34 | 2:18:44 | 3:15:00 |
| 3:30 | 8:01 | 4:59 | 24:54 | 49:48 | 1:45:05 | 2:29:25 | 3:30:00 |
| 3:45 | 8:35 | 5:20 | 26:41 | 53:22 | 1:52:35 | 2:40:05 | 3:45:00 |
| 4:00 | 9:10 | 5:42 | 28:28 | 56:55 | 2:00:05 | 2:50:46 | 4:00:00 |
| 4:15 | 9:44 | 6:03 | 30:14 | 1:00:29 | 2:07:35 | 3:01:26 | 4:15:00 |
| 4:30 | 10:18 | 6:24 | 32:01 | 1:04:02 | 2:15:06 | 3:12:06 | 4:30:00 |
| 4:45 | 10:53 | 6:46 | 33:48 | 1:07:36 | 2:22:36 | 3:22:47 | 4:45:00 |
| 5:00 | 11:27 | 7:07 | 35:34 | 1:11:09 | 2:30:06 | 3:33:27 | 5:00:00 |
| 5:30 | 12:36 | 7:50 | 39:08 | 1:18:16 | 2:45:07 | 3:54:48 | 5:30:00 |
| 6:00 | 13:44 | 8:32 | 42:41 | 1:25:23 | 3:00:08 | 4:16:08 | 6:00:00 |
| 6:30 | 14:53 | 9:15 | 46:15 | 1:32:30 | 3:15:08 | 4:37:29 | 6:30:00 |
| 7:00 | 16:02 | 9:58 | 49:48 | 1:39:37 | 3:30:09 | 4:58:50 | 7:00:00 |
Sydney Trail Marathon Finish Time Estimator
Enter a recent 5K, 10K or Half Marathon time to estimate your Sydney Trail Marathon finish time.
Your 5K time
Estimated Sydney Trail Marathon finish
3:59:36
An estimate only, based on Pete Riegel's race-time prediction formula. Real marathon performance depends on endurance, training specificity, pacing and race-day conditions — not just your speed over a shorter distance.
Training for a different distance? Try the full pace calculator, race time predictor or pace chart.
Got your target time? Save it to your profile.
Tag Sydney Trail Marathon, set your goal pace, and let Verus track your countdown, training and fundraising in one place.
Start Your Verus JourneySydney Trail Marathon Race Day Checklist
Tap items to mark off your race-day readiness.
- Race number attached, and any timing chip fitted per your race pack instructions
- Weather-appropriate kit, plus something warm and disposable to discard before the start
- A plan for reaching Bidjigal Reserve, Castle Hill, NSW
- A meeting point agreed with family and friends for after the race
Training Strategy for Sydney Trail Marathon
16-20 weeks is the target window for first-time marathoners; 12-16 weeks is solid if you're already maintaining a baseline mileage. Arrive with your longest run behind you in training, not on race day itself.
This is a largely flat course, so most of your long runs can mirror that — flat and steady, building time on feet rather than hill strength.
Reduce overall mileage across the final 2-3 weeks while preserving short race-pace bursts. Arrive at Bidjigal Reserve, Castle Hill, NSW fresh, energized, and primed — not fit, fresh.
Lock in your target pace using the interactive splits calculator below — no official pacers are confirmed for this event, so a pace band on your watch is the more reliable option.
Test your race-day fuel and hydration plan on your long training runs, not for the first time on race day — check the Race Day Checklist below for what's actually on this course.
Marathon Nutrition & Fueling Plan
A deliberate increase in carbohydrate over the two to three days before the race is the well-established approach at marathon distance.
Eat a carbohydrate-focused breakfast two to three hours before the start, and stick to something you've already tested in training rather than trying anything new.
Most runners take on carbohydrate every 30 to 45 minutes from about an hour in, alongside fluid at the on-course stations.
A mix of carbohydrate and protein in the hour or so after finishing supports recovery.
Sydney Trail Marathon Charity Places 2026
No formal charity-place scheme published — runners commonly fundraise for a charity of their own choosing.
Lead with your personal story — explain why the charity matters to you. Personal connection generates 3x more support than a generic link broadcast.
Share key training milestones on Instagram (first 10-miler, peak week, race week) with your fundraising link in bio. Publicly thanking donors prompts secondary gifts!
Running Sydney Trail Marathon for charity?
Link your JustGiving page to Verus and show up right here alongside other Sydney Trail Marathon fundraisers — goal, progress and story, all in one place.
Add Your Fundraiser to VerusTravel & Logistics
No road closures — the Sydney Trail Marathon is run off-road (Trail), so local traffic is unaffected.
Sydney Trail Marathon Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know for race weekend.
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Race details independently compiled and fact-checked by Tommo against the official Sydney Trail Marathon site , last verified August 2026. Always confirm official timings and policies directly prior to race day.