Compiled and fact-checked by Tommo, Verus founder · Last verified August 2026 · Spot an error?
Running · Half Marathons
The Illumin8 Challenge Half Marathon 2026
- Race day
- Saturday, 29 August 2026
- Location
- Avondale University, Cooranbong, Australia
- Distance
- 13.1 mi / 21.1 km
The Illumin8 Challenge Half Marathon: 29 August 2026. Route, distance and where to check results.
The Illumin8 Challenge Half Marathon Race Timeline
12 days since race day
The Illumin8 Challenge Half Marathon runs most years, but the next date hasn't been announced. Ask to be notified above and we'll email you the day it is.
The Illumin8 Challenge Half Marathon: quick answers
When is the next The Illumin8 Challenge Half Marathon?
The next date hasn't been published by the organiser yet. The most recent The Illumin8 Challenge Half Marathon was Saturday, 29 August 2026, and the race has usually run around the same point in the year.
What time does The Illumin8 Challenge Half Marathon start?
The Illumin8 Challenge Half Marathon starts at 6:00pm from Avondale University, 582 Freemans Dr, Cooranbong NSW 2265.
Where does The Illumin8 Challenge Half Marathon start?
The Illumin8 Challenge Half Marathon starts at Avondale University, 582 Freemans Dr, Cooranbong NSW 2265. The organiser hasn't published a finish location.
How many miles is The Illumin8 Challenge Half Marathon?
The Illumin8 Challenge Half Marathon is 13.1 miles (21.1km).
Key Race Metrics & Overview
- Date
- Saturday, 29 August 2026
- Distance
- 13.1 miles / 21.1km
- Location
- Avondale University, Cooranbong, Australia
- Start Point
- Avondale University, 582 Freemans Dr, Cooranbong NSW 2265
- Start time
- 6:00pm
- Surface
- Road
Not published by the organiser at the time of writing: finish point, 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 The Illumin8 Challenge.
The Illumin8 Challenge Half 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.
The Illumin8 Challenge Half Marathon Route Map & Elevation Profile
Starting at Avondale University, 582 Freemans Dr, Cooranbong NSW 2265. The organiser hasn't published a finish location. Total elevation gain is not published for this event, and Verus does not estimate one.
Is The Illumin8 Challenge Half Marathon flat?
No official elevation figure is published for this course, so Verus doesn't state one. The organiser describes the going as: road.
The Illumin8 Challenge Half Marathon Course Profile
Elevation change not published for this event.
Tap a point on the course for details.
Avondale University, 582 Freemans Dr, Cooranbong NSW 2265
Start line.
Where The Illumin8 Challenge Half Marathon starts and finishes
The Illumin8 Challenge Half Marathon starts at Avondale University, 582 Freemans Dr, Cooranbong NSW 2265. 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 The Illumin8 Challenge Half Marathon Route Breakdown
The Illumin8 Challenge takes place on a 5.25km loop at Avondale University, Cooranbong. Runners can complete up to 8 laps, with the first lap starting at 6pm and continuing every hour until 2am. The course is well-lit and features glow sticks, fire pits, and live entertainment, creating a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere. The terrain is flat and suitable for all ages, making it a great event for families and first-time runners.
The Illumin8 Challenge Half Marathon Pace Calculator & Splits
The Illumin8 Challenge Half Marathon Pace Calculator
Enter a target finish time to see your pace and projected splits.
Average pace / mile
18:19
Average pace / km
11:23
The Illumin8 Challenge Half Marathon Pace Chart
Split markers calculated for standard checkpoints — no official pacers are confirmed for this event.
| Target | Pace /mi | Pace /km | 5K | 10K | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3:00 | 13:44 | 8:32 | 42:41 | 1:25:23 | 3:00:00 |
| 3:15 | 14:53 | 9:15 | 46:15 | 1:32:30 | 3:15:00 |
| 3:30 | 16:02 | 9:58 | 49:48 | 1:39:37 | 3:30:00 |
| 3:45 | 17:11 | 10:40 | 53:22 | 1:46:43 | 3:45:00 |
| 4:00 | 18:19 | 11:23 | 56:55 | 1:53:50 | 4:00:00 |
| 4:15 | 19:28 | 12:06 | 1:00:29 | 2:00:57 | 4:15:00 |
| 4:30 | 20:37 | 12:48 | 1:04:02 | 2:08:04 | 4:30:00 |
| 4:45 | 21:45 | 13:31 | 1:07:36 | 2:15:11 | 4:45:00 |
| 5:00 | 22:54 | 14:14 | 1:11:09 | 2:22:18 | 5:00:00 |
| 5:30 | 25:11 | 15:39 | 1:18:16 | 2:36:32 | 5:30:00 |
| 6:00 | 27:29 | 17:05 | 1:25:23 | 2:50:46 | 6:00:00 |
| 6:30 | 29:46 | 18:30 | 1:32:30 | 3:04:59 | 6:30:00 |
| 7:00 | 32:04 | 19:55 | 1:39:37 | 3:19:13 | 7:00:00 |
The Illumin8 Challenge Half Marathon Finish Time Estimator
Enter a recent 5K, 10K or Half Marathon time to estimate your The Illumin8 Challenge Half Marathon finish time.
Your 5K time
Estimated The Illumin8 Challenge Half Marathon finish
1:54:55
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 The Illumin8 Challenge Half Marathon, set your goal pace, and let Verus track your countdown, training and fundraising in one place.
Start Your Verus JourneyThe Illumin8 Challenge Half 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 Avondale University, 582 Freemans Dr, Cooranbong NSW 2265
- A meeting point agreed with family and friends for after the race
Training Strategy for The Illumin8 Challenge Half Marathon
10-14 weeks is a solid window for a first half marathon; 8-10 weeks is enough if you're already maintaining a baseline mileage. Build your long run up gradually rather than jumping straight to race distance.
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 7-10 days while preserving short race-pace bursts. Arrive at Avondale University, 582 Freemans Dr, Cooranbong NSW 2265 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.
Half Marathon Nutrition & Fueling Plan
A normal diet is fine. There is no need to carb-load for a race of this length.
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.
Fluid at the on-course stations is usually enough; some runners take a single gel around the hour mark.
A mix of carbohydrate and protein in the hour or so after finishing supports recovery.
The Illumin8 Challenge Half 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 The Illumin8 Challenge Half Marathon for charity?
Link your JustGiving page to Verus and show up right here alongside other The Illumin8 Challenge Half Marathon fundraisers — goal, progress and story, all in one place.
Add Your Fundraiser to VerusThe Illumin8 Challenge Half 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 The Illumin8 Challenge Half Marathon site , last verified August 2026. Always confirm official timings and policies directly prior to race day.