The Anaconda Whitsunday Trail Fest returns to Airlie Beach, Queensland, Australia on September 13th, celebrating its 20th year and expanding with more participants than ever before. The event will take place along the picturesque Airlie Beach foreshore, offering scenic views of the Coral Sea as runners navigate through challenging yet beautiful trails. Race morning at Airlie Beach promises a tranquil atmosphere, with early risers enjoying cool sea breezes and the sounds of local markets setting up for Saturday’s events. By 7:00 AM, participants can join in the parkrun at Coral Sea Marina before heading to the race precinct on the foreshore by 2:00 PM to register or collect their late entries and race packs. The Anaconda Whitsunday Trail Fest has a rich history of tradition dating back to 2005 when it was first introduced as an ultra-trail event. Over the past decade, under the stewardship of the Whitsunday Running Club, the festival has grown to include multiple distances catering to runners of all abilities: from seasoned athletes in the WTF Accom Whitsunday Ultra (58km) and the WTF 28km Whitsunday Trail, to families with young children participating in the Honeyeater Shokz Challenge (11km). The festival also features Kids Beach Bash races for ages 4+. The course venue offers a mix of terrain suitable for all types of trail runners. For those taking on the ultra-trail event, the route winds through dense forest and open grasslands, providing both technical challenges and breathtaking views. Meanwhile, the Honeyeater Shokz Challenge follows well-marked paths along the foreshore, ensuring safety while offering a more accessible experience. Race start times are carefully scheduled to ensure optimal conditions for all participants. Competitors in the WTF58 meet at 4:30 AM before receiving their race briefing and heading out by 5:00 AM. For those joining the WTF28 or Honeyeater Shokz Challenge, buses depart from Airlie Beach Foreshore Race Precinct to Brandy Creek starting at 5:15 AM with a briefings session following shortly after. The weather on race day is expected to be mild and comfortable, with temperatures ranging between 19.6°C and 24.6°C, feeling like the mid-twenties due to low humidity of around 74%. A light breeze adds a pleasant element but may require runners to adjust hydration strategies.
Bendigo Community Bank Junior Beach Bash 700m • Start: 05:00:00 • Fee: Closed
Bendigo Community Bank Kids Beach Bash 1mi • Start: 05:00:00 • Fee: Closed
The race offers a 58km ultra-trail event for adults, a challenging 28km Whitsunday Trail run, an accessible 11km Honeyeater Shokz Challenge, and shorter races including the 700m Bendigo Community Bank Junior Beach Bash and the 1 mile Bendigo Community Bank Kids Beach Bash. For registration, visit https://raceroster.com/events/2026/114340/anaconda-whitsunday-trail-fest. Fees for all events are closed; however, race bags including event shirts will be guaranteed to those who enter by June 30th and finishers medals await at the end of their journey. Race day starts early with participants meeting from 4:30 AM and finishing presentations concluding around 3:00 PM. Bib pickup is available on Saturday afternoon until 5:00 PM, located in Airlie Beach Foreshore Race Precinct. First-timers should bring proof of age documents if required. The Anaconda Whitsunday Trail Fest in Airlie Beach Australia on September 13th offers a unique and rewarding experience for trail runners seeking an adventure through stunning coastal landscapes while supporting local communities and charities.
Races Offered
Bendigo Community Bank Junior Beach Bash
Sep 13, 2026
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Distance —
700m
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Type —
Running
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05:00
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$25.00
Bendigo Community Bank Kids Beach Bash
Sep 13, 2026
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Distance —
1mi
terrain
Type —
Running
timer
05:00
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$25.00
Honeyeater Shokz Challenge 11k
Sep 13, 2026
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Distance —
11km
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Type —
Running
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05:00
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$80.00
WTF28 Whitsunday Trail
Sep 13, 2026
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Distance —
28km
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Type —
Running
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05:00
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$150.00
WTF58 Accom Whitsunday Ultra
Sep 13, 2026
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Distance —
58km
terrain
Type —
Running
timer
05:00
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$190.00
Weather History
These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for September in Airlie Beach.
thermostatTemperature
19.5° / 24.6°
wb_sunnyFeels like
18.7° / 23.2°
light_mode
Avg sunshine hours
11h 18m
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Avg rainfall
0.7 mm
ac_unit
Avg snowfall
—
air
Avg wind speed
15.8 km/h (Gentle breeze)
opacity
Sweat loss rate
High
terrain
Course conditions
Hard and dry surface
sunny
Max UV Index
High (6.0)
humidity_mid
Humidity
74.0%
wb_twilight
Sunrise
06:00
nightlight
Sunset
17:59
About Airlie Beach
Learn more about the host city, Airlie Beach.
Airlie Beach is a town in Queensland, Australia and is the closest port from which to access the Whitsunday islands on the Great Barrier Reef. With around 25,000 residents, it is developed to cater for almost every kind of tourist and backpacker, and is the major hub for trips out to the Whitsunday islands and Outer Great Barrier Reef.
