I’ve always loved travelling. I’m also someone who’s into fitness. And lately, I’ve found myself fully buying into the whole race-cation trend of travelling specifically for fitness events or activities, whether it’s HYROX or hiking up the Mulu Pinnacles.

One thing that’s been quietly sitting on my bucket list for a couple of years is signing up for a running event in another country. And if I’m going to commit to months of training, I want the destination to be just as rewarding as the race itself. Coastal roads. Wine regions. Red-earth outback landscapes. Which is why New Zealand and Australia keep rising to the top of my list.

Here’s my personal shortlist of 10 races across New Zealand and Australia, featuring a mix of scenic marathons, iconic city runs, and destination events that turn race weekend into a proper adventure. If you’re dreaming of your own international running goal for 2026, consider this your starting point.

1. Margaret River Ultra Marathon, Western Australia

When: 9-10 May 2026

This is the kind of race that makes you forget you’re technically here to suffer. The Margaret River Ultra Marathon winds through forests, along coastal bluffs and past iconic surf breaks and wineries on Western Australia’s stunning Cape to Cape coastline.

While the headline event is the 80km ultra, there’s also a 42km trail marathon and shorter options, making it just as appealing if you’re eyeing your first destination marathon rather than an ultra.

The finish line at Howard Park winery turns race day into a celebration, complete with live music, food, wine, and that post-run glow you can only earn the hard way. If you’ve ever wanted to combine trail running, wine country, and coastal views into one unforgettable weekend, this one deserves a serious look.

2. Hawke’s Bay Marathon, New Zealand

When: 16 May 2026

Set in New Zealand’s celebrated food and wine region, the ASICS Hawke’s Bay Marathon feels like a slow-travel dream disguised as a race. You’ll run past vineyards, orchards, coastal paths, and quiet country roads on a mostly flat, scenic course that’s as calming as it is runnable.

With distances ranging from a full marathon to a kids’ dash, it’s welcoming for runners at every stage. The real magic, though, comes at the finish line: a festival at Elephant Hill Estate & Winery, complete with live entertainment, local food and award-winning wines.

3. Kununurra Half Marathon, Western Australia

When: 14 June 2026

Held in the heart of the Kimberley during the perfect dry season, the off-road Kununurra Half Marathon is about wide-open skies, red-earth trails, and a pace of life that feels beautifully unhurried.

You can run solo or as part of a relay team, which gives it a social, supportive energy rather than a hyper-competitive one. The course may be rugged, but the vibe is welcoming, community-driven, and quietly empowering.

4. Gold Coast Marathon, Queensland

When: 4–5 July 2026

Fast, flat and famously PB-friendly, the ASICS Gold Coast Marathon is where ambition meets beach holiday energy. It’s Australia’s go-to race for runners chasing personal records or even a Boston qualification (something I’m nowhere near achieving — yet).

The winter sunshine, ocean views, and ultra-smooth course make it feel both high-performance and deeply enjoyable. Add a buzzing race village and a city that knows how to brunch, and you’ve got a race weekend that feels like a reward in itself.

5. Broome International Airport Marathon, Western Australia

When: 5 July 2026

Imagine running along one of Australia’s most picturesque beaches, with firm, hard-packed sand beneath your shoes and the Indian Ocean shimmering beside you.

Timed for ideal tides and dry season weather, this race offers a full marathon, half marathon and 10.5km dash, making it accessible without losing its wow factor. It’s low-key, low-pressure, and wildly photogenic.

6. Australian Outback Marathon, Northern Territory

When: 25 July 2026

Few races in the world rival the emotional power of running with Uluru and Kata Tjuta as your backdrop. This is a spiritual, humbling, once-in-a-lifetime experience more than a standard marathon.

Set deep in Australia’s red heart, the Australian Outback Marathon course unfolds across desert roads and sacred landscapes, offering moments of quiet reflection between kilometres. You don’t run this one for a PB — you run it for perspective, connection, and the kind of memory that stays with you long after the medal comes off.

7. City2Surf, Sydney

When: 9 August 2026

Often dubbed the world’s largest fun run, Voltaren City2Surf takes you 14km from Sydney’s CBD to Bondi Beach alongside over 80,000 runners.

This is pure joy disguised as a race with live bands, outrageous costumes, cheering crowds, and an electric atmosphere that carries you up Heartbreak Hill and all the way to the ocean.

Come for the community. Stay for the celebratory plunge into Bondi’s iconic waves.

8. Race Tekapo, New Zealand

When: 19 September 2026

Set in the heart of Lake Tekapo, this destination race serves up alpine drama with every stride. With seven race distances, there’s something for everyone, from casual trail runners to seasoned mountain athletes.

Snowy peaks, turquoise waters and crisp mountain air turn every kilometre into a moment worth savouring. And when the race is done, there are hot pools to soak in and stargazing in the famed International Dark Sky Reserve.

9. Melbourne Marathon, Victoria

When: 11 October 2026

Australia’s largest marathon culminates with a goosebump-inducing finish inside the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Urban and unapologetically grand, this is a race for runners who love spectacle.

The Nike Melbourne Marathon course takes you through leafy boulevards and buzzing neighbourhoods, with crowds that actually show up and show out. It’s a proper city marathon in every sense. And when it’s over? Melbourne’s coffee, culture and cool-down cocktails are waiting.

10. First Light Marathon, Tairāwhiti Gisborne, New Zealand

When: January 2027 (early 2027 bonus pick)

This is the race you do when you want your running story to feel cinematic. Held in Gisborne — the first city in the world to greet the sunrise — the First Light Marathon takes you along Māori land, rolling hills, chardonnay country and the Pacific coastline, all bathed in early-morning gold.

Deep Māori heritage and kōrero are woven into the experience, and runners are welcomed with the warmth Tairāwhiti is known for. It’s not just a race. It’s a beginning.

Zafigo Tips: Packing checklist for your first international race

● Your trusted race-day outfit (and a backup set): Never wear new shoes, bras or shorts on race day. Pack the outfit you’ve trained in, plus a second identical set in case of rain, spills or nerves that make you want to change.

● Recovery essentials: Compression socks, a massage ball or mini foam roller, magnesium spray and blister plasters help a lot when you’re sightseeing after 21km or 42km.

● Fuel your body knows and loves: Bring your own gels, chews or electrolyte powders. International expos can be fun, but trying new fuel before race day is risky.

● Sun, wind and weather protection: A lightweight cap or visor, sunscreen, lip balm and a packable windbreaker prepare you for most race-day surprises, especially in coastal or alpine areas.

● A race-week self-care kit: Include a sleep mask, earplugs, calming tea, Epsom salt sachets, and a small lavender roll-on. If your race falls during your menstrual cycle, bring your go-to period products and any pain relief you trust.