If you have been looking for a reason to visit Port Douglas, this is it.
Run Port Douglas is back for 2026, and it is shaping up to be one of the most spectacular running events on the Australian calendar. With four distances to choose from and a finish line on the sand at Four Mile Beach, this is the kind of event that stays with you long after the medal is around your neck.
Saturday 5 September 2026. Mark it in the calendar now.
Whether you are chasing a personal best or simply want to soak up the beauty of Tropical North Queensland on foot, Run Port Douglas has something for every runner. And when the race is done, you are already in one of Australia’s most beautiful holiday destinations. That is not a coincidence. That is the whole point.
Four Distances, One Unforgettable Finish Line
Every runner crosses the same finish line: the sand of Four Mile Beach, in front of the Port Douglas Surf Club. There is genuinely no finish line like it anywhere in Australia.
The event offers four distances, so you can bring the whole crew regardless of fitness level:
Distance | Start Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|
2km Run/Walk | TBC | Families, first-timers, kids |
5km Run | TBC | Casual runners and beginners |
10km Run | TBC | Intermediate runners |
21.1km Half Marathon | 6:15am | Serious runners chasing a time |
All distances are timed, so you can run for glory or run for the view. Both are equally valid.
The Half Marathon Course Is Something Special
The 21.1km course starts on Wharf Street in front of the Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina, winds up to the Flagstaff Hill Lookout (the most photographed spot in Port Douglas, and for good reason), and then brings you back down through town before the final 3.6km along the beach to the finish arch.
That final stretch on the sand is unlike anything else in Australian running. Depending on the tide, you could be running on wide open hard-packed beach with the Coral Sea on one side and the rainforest on the other. It is the kind of moment that makes all the training worth it.
Bonus for the competitive: there is a King of the Mountain and Queen of the Mountain challenge on the Flagstaff Hill climb, with prizes from event sponsors. And prize money of $700, $500 and $300 for first, second and third place (equal for men and women).
Free run singlets are included for all 10km and 21.1km entrants who register before 8 June 2026.
Entry Pricing and Key Dates
Entries are open now, and the price goes up the longer you wait. For the half marathon:
Entry Period | Dates | Price |
|---|---|---|
Early Bird | 1 Dec 2025 – 31 Jan 2026 | $150 |
Standard | 1 Feb 2026 – 31 July 2026 | $160 |
Late | 1 Aug 2026 – 4 Sept 2026 | $170 |
Registration closes at 6:00pm on Friday 4 September 2026. Race day is Saturday 5 September.
Race bib collection is available in Cairns at The Pier Shopping Centre on Thursday 3 September, and in Port Douglas on Friday 4 September. Transfers from Cairns and Palm Cove to Port Douglas are also available if you need them.
Make a Long Weekend of It
This is where Run Port Douglas gets really clever as an event concept. Port Douglas is not just a backdrop; it is the destination. The organisers say it themselves: the run is the perfect excuse to visit.
September is one of the finest months to be in Tropical North Queensland. The dry season is in full swing, the weather is warm and clear, and the Coral Sea is at its most inviting. You are not just coming for a race. You are coming for a holiday that happens to start with a 6:15am alarm.
What to Do Before and After the Race
Once the medal is around your neck and the legs have recovered, Port Douglas has you covered:
Great Barrier Reef – Quicksilver Cruises operates day trips to the Outer Reef for snorkelling and diving. One of the best reef experiences in Australia.
Daintree Rainforest – Mossman Gorge is a 20-minute drive and offers guided walks through one of the oldest rainforests on earth.
Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures – Wildlife encounters the kids will not forget, including crocodile shows and koala cuddles.
Port Douglas Sunday Markets – If your race falls on a weekend, the famous markets on Macrossan Street are worth a slow morning browse.
Four Mile Beach – You have already run it. Now swim it. The beach is a short walk from the centre of town and is one of the best in Far North Queensland.
The beauty of staying in Port Douglas rather than driving in from Cairns is that you get to enjoy all of this without a commute. The town is small enough to walk everywhere, but big enough to keep you busy for a long weekend.
Where to Stay for Run Port Douglas
Location matters when you have a 6:15am start. You want to be close to the action, not sitting in a car at 5am trying to find a park.
Cayman Villas sits in the heart of Port Douglas, a short walk from Macrossan Street, the marina, and Four Mile Beach. You can walk to the start line on Wharf Street in minutes. After the race, you can walk back to your apartment, shower, and be back on the beach before the rest of the field has even collected their bags.
Our self-contained 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments are ideal for the Run Port Douglas crowd:
Runners travelling solo or as a couple – a one-bedroom apartment gives you everything you need without paying for space you do not use.
Groups of friends – a two or three-bedroom apartment lets the whole crew stay together, share the pre-race nerves, and celebrate properly afterwards.
Families – bring the non-running family members along. While you are on the course, they can sleep in, have breakfast by the pool, and meet you at the finish line on Four Mile Beach.
The heated pool and tropical gardens are a welcome sight after 21.1km on your legs. The tour desk can help you book your post-race Great Barrier Reef trip or Daintree day tour. And you do not need to drive anywhere for dinner; Macrossan Street’s restaurants and bars are a short walk away.
September is a popular time to visit Port Douglas, so accommodation fills up quickly around event weekends. If you are planning to come for Run Port Douglas 2026, it is worth locking in your stay sooner rather than later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Run Port Douglas 2026 takes place on Saturday 5 September 2026. The half marathon starts at 6:15am. Start times for the 2km, 5km and 10km distances are yet to be confirmed. Registration closes at 6:00pm on Friday 4 September 2026.
There are four distances to choose from: a 2km Run/Walk, 5km Run, 10km Run, and the 21.1km Half Marathon. All distances are timed and all finish on the sand at Four Mile Beach in front of the Port Douglas Surf Club.
Half marathon entry is $150 (Early Bird, until 31 Jan 2026), $160 (Standard, until 31 July 2026), and $170 (Late, until 4 Sept 2026). Pricing for the 2km, 5km and 10km distances varies. Register early to secure the best price and a free run singlet (10km and 21.1km entrants who register before 8 June 2026).
The half marathon starts on Wharf Street in front of the Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina and finishes on Four Mile Beach in front of the Port Douglas Surf Club. The final 3.6km of the course is run entirely on the sand.
Yes. The overall cut-off time for the 21.1km Half Marathon is 4 hours 45 minutes. There are no interim cut-off times on the course. The minimum age to enter the half marathon is 14 years (as at 5 September 2026).
Race bib collection is available at two locations. In Cairns, head to The Pier Shopping Centre on Thursday 3 September (10:00am to 8:00pm). In Port Douglas, collection is on Friday 4 September (10:00am to 7:00pm – location TBC). A secure bag drop is also available near the start arch on Wharf Street on race day.
Yes. Coach transfers run from Cairns City at 4:00am (Adults $60, Under 16 $30) and from Palm Cove at 4:15am (Adults $40, Under 16 $20). Return transfers depart Port Douglas at 10am, 12pm and 2pm. Transfers can be added when you register or later via your registration confirmation email.
Staying in Port Douglas rather than driving from Cairns makes the early start far more manageable. Cayman Villas is centrally located in Port Douglas, a short walk from the Wharf Street start line, Four Mile Beach, and Macrossan Street’s restaurants. Self-contained 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments suit solo runners, groups, and families. September is a busy period, so book early.
