Top Fitness Events, Races and Obstacle Courses in Australia

Ready to get out there and show the world what you’ve got? Have a gander at Australia’s top fitness events and races to train for.  

Sometimes training can be so much easier if you’ve got a goal in mind. If you have something to aim for, with a specific date to prepare by, there’s a good reason to get out of bed on those cold mornings and hit the gym. 

Whether you’re a cyclist, triathlete, runner or into CrossFit, there are plenty of events for everyone. Take a look at a few of Australia’s biggest fitness events below. 

Bridge to Brisbane

The Bridge to Brisbane is Queensland’s biggest race. Whether you’re a complete beginner or a novice runner, this is a great event to train for. The Bridge to Brisbane has two running options – the 5km and the 10km.

If you’ve never run a 5km before and are just starting out, this is a great way to break into running. A few months of training, both at distance and HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training), will have you prepared in no time. Try training with a partner so you’ve got someone to keep you on track.

The 10km is slightly more challenging than the 5km and can be very competitive. 2016 times were just over 30 minutes, so if you think you’ve got what it takes to challenge that time, it’s worth stepping up!

Whether you’re competitive or casual, the Bridge to Brisbane is a great day out for all.

Tough Mudder

You’ve probably heard of Tough Mudder. It’s the obstacle course challenge that’s taken Australia by storm. Strong is the new skinny, and the number of female participants smashing it in these events proves that. With several events around the country throughout the year, it’s always possible to find one near you.

When you compete in Tough Mudder, you’ve got to expect to get sweaty, dirty and, of course, muddy. It’s a great event, and hugely challenging for your entire body. Regardless of your level of fitness, you absolutely need to train for Tough Mudder. You’ll need to get outside and get dirty and get familiar with being incredibly uncomfortable while you work out.

Great Victorian Bike Ride

If you’re an avid cyclist, then you may have heard of the Great Victorian Bike Ride. A gruelling challenge stretching over 517km at Wilson’s Promontory in Victoria, this is one of the greatest cycling events in Australia.

With amazing views, around 5,000 participants and ride options ranging from three to nine days, this is an incredible test of cycling endurance. Depending on your cycling abilities, training for this one can be very tough. You’ll need to maintain a healthy weight months out, especially as you’ll be burning quite a few calories during the event.

They say to practice as you play, but if you’re holding down a full time job, it’s difficult to squeeze in a quick 500km practice ride over the weekend.

Gold Coast Marathon

The Gold Coast marathon is known the world over for its relatively flat course. It’s a popular destination for professionals aiming to get a qualifying time, and for novices who want to have a great run.

If you’ve never run a marathon or half marathon before, the Gold Coast Marathon is a great starting point. It will absolutely challenge you, but won’t dishearten you. Training for this one should start very far out - around a year if you’re quite unfit and haven’t run over 5km before.

True Grit 24hr Enduro

The True Grit 24hr Enduro race is a test of spirit and endurance. It’s an obstacle course approximately 10km long. Of course, it won’t take you 24 hours to complete it. However, the objective is to complete as many laps of the course as you can in one 24 hour period, from 2 pm on Saturday to 2 pm on Sunday.

They have solo and team options. If you reckon you’re tough enough to go it alone, then do so! Otherwise, you can pass the baton throughout your team so that you can all get some rest between laps.

You can take breaks, but be warned – there is only one way out of the course, so once you start each lap, you’ve got to finish (or face disqualification).

Nepean Triathlon

Triathlons aren’t for everyone, but they’re a great test of your capabilities over three major fitness disciplines. The Nepean Triathlon markets itself as the oldest triathlon in Australia and is held in Sydney, with the swimming leg carried out in the Sydney International Regatta Centre.

The Nepean Triathlon is an incredibly popular event, with two different categories for two levels of fitness capabilities. It’s one of those events that are worth training hard for, and if you’re from outside Sydney, definitely worth building a holiday around.

Hell of the West

Held at Goondiwindi, Queensland in the hottest part of Summer, the Hell of the West is one of Australia’s toughest races. It’s a triathlon, with a 2km swim, 80km bike ride and 20km run – definitely not for the lighthearted. It is tough but incredibly rewarding to complete.

Training for Hell of the West should include becoming accustomed to dehydration and high temperatures, and ensuring that you fully understand how your body performs under pressure (and when you should stop).

The Tan Ultra

Held in Melbourne during August each year, the Tan Ultra is a challenging running event with distance categories ranging from 4km to 100km. It consists of multiple runs around the Tan Track, a loop just a touch less than 4km.

The 100km can be mentally challenging, particularly as you’re lapping the same bit of track time after time. If you’re the type of runner who gets their kicks knocking out a few kilometres at the nearest oval rather than along a running track, this might suit you.

Zombie Apocalypse

While challenging, the aim of this one is to be fun. You don’t have to be a fitness freak to complete it, but it will definitely help when you’re a few kilometres in and exhausted by running from zombies.

It’s a 7km course with over 60 obstacles and dozens of zombies, who chase you from obstacle to obstacle as you try and escape. The best part? You can register as a zombie and try and seize the “life flag” from other competitors as they attempt to escape. If getting full zombie make up and running after terrified people sounds fun to you, this is worth checking out. 

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