We hope you are all looking forward to joining us at Raffertys Coastal Run in just a few short weeks!
Now is the time to start making those final plans – transport, accommodation, etc.
Those of you who have run this event before will be familiar with course changes due to ongoing development in the Lake Macquarie region. This year we received last-minute notification of construction starting on an area of private property the course crosses. As a result the 2026 course has changed slightly. We appreciate this is late notice for all runners, and we thank you for your understanding. We’d also like to thank the landowners who worked with us to find an alternative route, ensuring the event can go ahead as planned.
The new approved course still takes into account many of the trails, views and beaches that you will be familiar with. Updated course maps are on the event website, with changes described below.
22KM & 35KM RUNNERS:
You will run out of the resort and wind through Murrays Beach, along the lake front, then up to the water tower and footbridge over the highway as previous. You will then take Scenic Drive all the way into Caves Beach, heading along Scenic Drive and Bligh Street to link up with Caves Beach Rd and onto familiar trails again south of Caves Beach. After this point the course remains much the same as in previous years. On the way back to the footbridge the dreaded steep climb up Scenic Fire Trail is removed and you will skirt the edge of the highway to return to the footbridge and back down to Raffertys Resort and the finish line!
Refunds for the 22km and 35km event remain as per our standard refund policy, available up until this Sunday 28 June 2026.
12KM RUNNERS – NOW 15KM
The biggest impact is on the shorter distance. The 12km event will now be 15km, with runners heading all the way to Caves Beach as described above, south along the coast to Pinny Beach and then loop back to the footbridge and onto the resort. We understand this additional distance at this point in time will impact some participants, and as such we are offering the following (to 12km participants only):
- Extended refunds until midnight Wednesday 1 July 2026
- Full refund or credit up to Wednesday 1 July 2026 (no admin fee)
ALL RUNNERS
For all course distances, the course will be well marked with pink tape and signage and there will be course marshals at critical points. Aid stations have been moved slightly to take advantage of the adjusted course, again this is all detailed on our website on the individual course pages.
The new courses all cross private property that is currently under development. A requirement of our approval to cross their land is that all participants must sign a new waiver that explicitly lists the property owners. We have updated the event waiver accordingly and will send out links for all participants to sign this electronically. It will make registration much smoother on race day if you could all sign the new waiver before event day!
We can’t wait to see you all next month. Bring on Saturday the 11th of July!
