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If all of the Aus Open action has got you keen to compete, we’re here to help. We’ve gathered up seven of the best races and active adventures across Victoria to plan your year around – from family-friendly fun runs to gruelling triathlons. If you’re ready to race, read on.
Mapei Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race
Dates: January 28 – February 1
Location: Geelong and Surf Coast
Australia’s fave early-season cycling festival kicks off late January with a week of racing launching the global road calendar. The main one-day WorldTour takes place on January 31 (women) and February 1 (men), both routes traversing the iconic Great Ocean Road. Not ready to go pro? Amateur cyclists can tackle the scenic TAC People’s Ride on the same roads as the experts contest, with two distances – 63 kilometres and 124 kilometres – to choose between.
Tough Mudder
Date: January 31
Location: Melbourne
After a six-year hiatus, this messy adventure will splash back into Melbourne’s Caribbean Gardens on January 31 with its gloriously unhinged obstacle courses – think ice baths, electric shocks, mud pits and teamwork-fuelled chaos across five kilometres, 15 kilometres or an all-day infinity lap fest. You don’t need to be an elite athlete, but a solid level of fitness, mental grit and a willingness to get very dirty is essential to make it to the post-race beers.
Barwon Heads Triathlon
Date: February 22, 2026
Location: Barwon Heads
This charming coastal triathlon offers a swim-bike-run format that’s approachable for amateur(ish) athletes but still delivers a sense of accomplishment. Set against a lovely seaside backdrop, it’s perfect for those new to multisport or stepping up from pool swims and solo rides into something competitive.
Run the Rock
Date: Saturday, March 21, 2026
Location: Hanging Rock, near Woodend
This picturesque challenge takes athletes of various abilities through the Macedon Ranges, with race options ranging from a half marathon to an easy-breezy five-kilometre dash. Trail enthusiasts and devoted road runners will both get their kicks, with a mix of forest paths and road sections offering views around the iconic Hanging Rock formation.
Great Ocean and Otway Classic Ride
Date: March 15, 2026
Location: Surf Coast / Otways
Cyclists of all levels will enjoy this highly social two-wheeled adventure, with distances from 60 kilometres to 204 kilometres weaving between the ocean and hinterland. It’s not a race per se, but a flagship classic on the Victorian cycling calendar – ideal for riders seeking spectacular scenery and club-level camaraderie.
Shepparton Running Festival
Dates: August 15–16
Location: Shepparton
Set against the picture-perfect backdrop of Victoria Park Lake in Shepparton, this weekend festival serves up everything from a breezy two-kilometre family dash to a flat, fast 42.2 kilometre marathon, with five kilometre, ten kilometre and half marathon options in between – perfect for everyone from first-time fun runners to seasoned road warriors. Expect lakeside views, a festive post-race vibe with food and music, and courses gentle on the lungs but mighty rewarding on the soul.
Geelong Running Festival
Date: September 20
Location: Geelong
Melbourne’s waterfront cousin Geelong debuts its very own running festival with the city’s first-ever marathon alongside a half marathon and community eight-kilometre run – all taking in traffic-free streets, Coronation Park and Corio Bay panoramas. This one’s as much about the views and that finish-line high as it is about the run itself, offering something for competitive athletes and the casual couch-to-five-K-ers among us.
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