Marathon races near Campbelltown

The Sri Chinmoy Sydney Series 4 begins near Fig Tree Flat, also known as Willow Tree Flat, beyond Audley in the Royal National Park, south of Sydney. This morning run and walk event offers six distances: marathon, half marathon, 10km, 7km, 5km, and 4km. The marathon starts first at 06:00, followed by the 10km, 5km, and half marathon at 07:00, and the 7km and 4km at 08:00. Entry fees range from $13 for the 4km and 5km to $47 for the marathon, considered modest for a road race. The longer races are held on Lady Carrington Drive, providing a sense of an out-and-back course through the park for the marathon and half marathon participants, unlike a city-road course. All distances are run on natural surfaces with some undulating sections, making it a more rugged event than a flat fun run. The Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team organizes it with the same straightforward approach used throughout the Sydney Series: participants register, attach their number, and proceed with the course. The broader series includes events at locations like Iron Cove and originated with a race at Centennial Park before expanding to other Sydney running venues.

Fig Tree Flat, also called Willow Tree Flat, is located within Royal National Park, beyond Audley, hosting the Sri Chinmoy Sydney Series – Royal National Park Trail Runs. This event marks the Series finale and offers a practical trail running day. Participants should park near the start/finish, handle the national park vehicle entry fee, and prepare for running on dirt paths beneath the trees. The races feature marked trail courses through forested areas of the park. The primary appeal lies in the park's terrain: shaded paths, varied surfaces, and sufficient trail complexity to maintain runner engagement. Wave starts are employed to manage participant flow, and a shuttle service operates from Loftus Station for those not arriving by car. A notable detail is the entry process: online registration concludes at 5pm the day prior to each race, with on-site entries available at the venue for an increased cost.