Airlie Beach Marathon Festival 2026
Imagine crossing a finish line with the Coral Sea shimmering beside you, 74 tropical islands scattered across the horizon, and the unmistakable buzz of a Queensland winter festival in the air. That’s exactly what awaits you at the Airlie Beach Marathon Festival 2026 — one of Australia’s most scenic and beloved running weekends.
The 13th Tassal Airlie Beach Marathon Festival will be held on the weekend of 18th and 19th of July 2026.
Set in one of the world’s premier tourist destinations — the Whitsundays in Northern Queensland — it’s a race weekend unlike any other.
Whether you’re chasing a marathon personal best, tackling your first 5km, or bringing the whole family along to cheer, this is your complete guide to making the most of it.
Quick Reference: Airlie Beach Marathon Festival 2026
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Dates | Saturday 18 – Sunday 19 July 2026 |
| Location | Airlie Beach Foreshore & Cannonvale, Whitsundays QLD |
| Distances | 42.2km, 21.1km, 10km, 5km, Magic Mile, Relay |
| Ages | 4 years and upwards |
| Online Entry Closes | 4:00pm Saturday 18 July 2026 |
| Bib Collection | Saturday 18 July, 2:00pm–5:00pm, Airlie Beach Foreshore Sound Stage |
| Official Website | runairlie.com.au |
What Is the Airlie Beach Marathon Festival?
The Tassal Airlie Beach Marathon Festival is North Queensland’s premier road-running event.
Organised by the Whitsunday Running Club, it has grown over 13 years into a much-loved fixture on the Australian running calendar—drawing competitors from across the country and beyond who combine their race with a genuine Whitsundays holiday experience.
The festival is a member of the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) and the 42.2km, 21.1km, 10km and 5km courses have all been formally measured and certified by AIMS and World Athletics.
This means any world, country or state records can be recognised — making it not just a fun weekend event, but a legitimate competitive platform for serious runners.
The event also benefits Ronald McDonald House Charities, which supports sick kids and their families.
The Full Race Program: What’s On and When
There are several events in the 2-day festival, all held along the Airlie Beach foreshore, on footpaths and boardwalks, with expansive views.
Saturday 18 July — The Magic Mile
The weekend kicks off on Saturday afternoon with a fun warm-up event.
The McDonald’s Airlie Beach Foreshore Magic Mile will be run the day before on Saturday 18 July at 4:00pm.
It’s the perfect opportunity to get your legs moving, soak up the festival atmosphere, and scope out the course before race day.
Race bibs must be collected on Saturday 18th July between 2:00pm and 5:00pm at the sound stage on the Airlie Beach Foreshore.
Those arriving on Sunday may collect their bib before their race.
Sunday 19 July — Race Day
Sunday is where the festival truly comes alive. Here’s how the morning unfolds:
| Race | Distance | Start Time |
|---|---|---|
| Tassal North QLD Championship Marathon | 42.2km | 6:00am |
| Half Marathon | 21.1km | 6:15am |
| 10km | 10km | 7:00am |
| 5km | 5km | 9:00am |
| Mixed Relay (3-person team) | 3 x 1km | 10:45am |
The marathon starts at 6:00am, the half marathon at 6:15am, the 10km at 7:00am, and the 5km events at 9:00am on Sunday 19 July 2026.
This year, a mixed relay has been introduced with teams of three having at least one female — the last race on Sunday 19th July.
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The Course: Running Along the Coral Sea
The courses are as spectacular as the setting promises.
The 42.2km is a four-lap out-and-back course to Cannonvale Beach, passing through the Coral Sea Marina in the west and Port of Airlie in the east, following along the beautiful footpaths and boardwalks on the Airlie Beach foreshore.
The half marathon is two laps of the same course.
The 10km course is an out-and-back route to the Cannonvale Parkland, and the 5km course is a two-lap out-and-back route to the Broadwater Carpark in the west and Port of Airlie in the east.
The North Queensland Championship Marathon is a unique four-lap off-road (run on concrete footpaths and boardwalks) standard marathon that provides your support team with the opportunity to cheer you on several times at one location.
If you’ve ever wanted a course where your cheering squad can actually see you multiple times without moving across town, this is it.
Certified by AIMS and World Athletics, the marathon, half marathon, 10km and 5km courses are record-eligible and can be used as Olympic qualifiers.
Is It Good for Families and Beginners?
Absolutely.
The weekend also includes the McDonald’s Magic Mile, junior dashes, and a corporate team challenge, making the festival accessible to all ages from 4 upwards.
The multi-lap course design also means the event has a festival-like atmosphere — spectators and supporters can park themselves in one spot and cheer runners through repeatedly.
This event is ideal for runners of all experience levels, from beginners to seasoned marathoners.
The new mixed relay option is a particularly great entry point for groups or corporate teams who want to participate without committing to a full solo race distance.
Why July Is the Perfect Time to Run Here
Timing matters in the tropics, and July has it nailed.
The scenery and climate in Airlie Beach during July is ideal for competing in the marathon festival.
The daily average temperature for July in the Whitsundays is 21°C, with an average high of 23°C and an average low of 18°C.
July is a dry month with very little rain in Airlie Beach, and just like most other months, the majority of the rain that does fall comes at night.
For runners, this is about as good as race-day conditions get — cool, dry, and bright.
July also marks the beginning of whale season in the Whitsundays, and travellers heading out on the water have a good chance of spotting a majestic humpback.
Not a bad backdrop for your post-race recovery sail.
Beyond the Race: What to Do in the Whitsundays
The smart move is to make a full weekend (or week) of it.
Airlie Beach is a beautiful tropical holiday destination in the Whitsundays and the home of two marinas and a local airport, providing easy access to the 74 Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef — the launching pad for iconic destinations like Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet and Heart Reef.
Whether you’re after reef snorkelling, island day trips, sailing adventures, or a rainforest hike through Conway National Park, the Whitsundays delivers. Browse our Queensland tours page for day trips and activities to book around your race weekend. You can also discover the region’s stunning coastal spots on our guide to the best Queensland beaches, or explore the full spread of islands of the Great Barrier Reef if you want to extend your trip beyond the mainland.
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How to Get to Airlie Beach
The region is serviced by three airports — Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast), Hamilton Island and Mackay — with daily flights to Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, and is close to the Bruce Highway that runs from Brisbane to Cairns.
Airlie Beach is around a 30-minute drive from Whitsunday Coast Airport at Proserpine.
Hire cars, taxis and shuttle transfers are available from all three airports. If you’re driving, Airlie Beach is well-connected via the Bruce Highway — a classic Queensland road trip from Brisbane or Cairns.
How to Enter the Airlie Beach Marathon Festival 2026
Registration is open now via Race Roster at runairlie.com.au.
Online entries close at 4:00pm on Saturday 18th July 2026.
The 42.2km marathon requires competitors to be 18 years or older on the date of the event.
The event is extremely popular and fields do fill up — if this post has you inspired, don’t wait to register.
Recommended Tours to Book Around Race Weekend
Looking to turn the marathon weekend into a full Whitsundays adventure? Here are some top experiences to consider alongside your race:
- Whitehaven Beach & Hill Inlet Day Trip — the definitive Whitsundays experience, perfect for the day after your race
- Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Cruise — explore the reef in peak season conditions
- Airlie Beach Lagoon Sunset Sail — a relaxed way to recover those legs post-finish line
Find all available guided tours and day trips from Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays on our Queensland tours page.
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Tips for Race Weekend
- Book accommodation early. July is school holidays season in Queensland and Airlie Beach fills fast — especially marathon weekend.
- Arrive Saturday. Bib collection is Saturday 18 July only (2:00–5:00pm at the foreshore sound stage), unless you arrive Sunday morning before your race.
- Dress in layers.
July days in Airlie Beach reach 23°C but nights settle around 17°C — early morning race starts can feel cool, so bring a warm layer to discard at the start line.
- Bring your support crew. The multi-lap course means supporters can cheer you through multiple times from a single spot along the boardwalk — it genuinely makes a difference.
- Stay for the week.
Sitting outside stinger season and occurring during the winter school holidays, July is the perfect month for you and the family to head to the Whitsundays for a well-deserved mid-year break.
For more Whitsundays travel inspiration, head to our Queensland travel blog.
