Rocky River Run

Along the Fitzroy River, incorporating Depot Hill and Quay Street, this is a sealed riverside run with a very local feel. The Rocky River Run is called “Rockhampton's largest running event,” but the crowd offers a better clue: first-timers, families, regular runners, walkers, and supporters all sharing the same morning. It has a community-charity feel where the race matters, but so does showing up for local causes. The course is flat and fast, a route where you can settle into rhythm instead of grinding over hills. Expect “sweeping river views” as the backdrop, plus riverfront and heritage-precinct sections that make it more interesting than a plain out-and-back. It suits anyone chasing a PB, but it also sounds suitable for a first event, with hydration, safety support, an event village, and a “welcoming atmosphere for all fitness levels.”