About This Event
Set along Queensland's Cooloola Coast, the Rainbow Beach Trail Festival showcases one of Australia's most distinctive natural landscapes. Runners traverse towering colored sand cliffs formed over millennia, with spectacular trails winding through lush forests, perched lakes, and rising sand dunes before reaching the historic lighthouse overlooking the expansive Coral Sea. The course combines single track, fire roads, and beach running, offering a diverse terrain experience that captures the full character of this coastal region. Based at Phil Rogers Park, the festival provides three distance options with all races starting and finishing in the same location, making it an ideal destination event for a weekend getaway. Run Queensland's commitment to environmental preservation is evident throughout the event, including their successful 'no cup' initiative at aid stations that has significantly reduced waste since 2015. The combination of natural beauty and environmental stewardship creates a racing experience that connects runners to both the stunning landscape and conservation efforts.
Choose Your Distance
11K
A 11K mixed-terrain race, Rainbow Beach, Queensland.
Half Marathon
A Half Marathon mixed-terrain race, Rainbow Beach, Queensland.
Marathon
The marathon distance provides the most comprehensive tour of the Cooloola Coast's spectacular terrain. With the earliest 6am start time and extended course access, marathon runners experience the full range of landscapes from sand dunes to forest trails to coastal stretches.