Athletics
21 August, 2026
Horsham Running Festival three weeks away
After a successful inaugural event in 2025, the Horsham Running Festival will return to town on Sunday, September 13.
Similar to last year, participants will have numerous distances to choose from, including a marathon, half marathon, quarter marathon, quarter marathon walk, a 5km run or walk, and a 2km event for kids.
With a contingent of runners from Adelaide or Melbourne set to compete, organiser Brian Haddy believes the festival will provide an economic boost to the region, while also offering affordable prices.
“This is one of the most affordable running festivals in Australia,” he said.
“Everything is priced under $100, while some of the big city marathons are getting twice that or more.
“As well as local support, we have interstate and intrastate visitors coming.
“Hospitality is going through a bit of a hard time at the moment, so if we can bring people into town, we’re pleased to be able to do that.”
Headlining the event will be the return of 2025 marathon winner David Staehr, from Kaniva.
“David Staehr is coming back again and looking to set a new course record after his time last year of 2 hours 45 minutes,” Haddy said.
“He has run a 2:36 in the last 12 months.
“He's run 92 marathons so far and is currently in his late 40s.
“His goal is to run 100 marathons before he turns 50, so he is an absolute machine.”
In addition to the return of pacers for the marathon and half marathon events, Haddy said this year’s event will have an improved timekeeping system.
“The Australian marathon pace team is coming again, so they will pace the marathon and half marathon and also act as tail walkers for the other distances,” he said.
“They're very visible with their bright yellow jackets and sticks with a time on them that they all finish, and they do a marvellous job for us because they all finish within a few seconds of the time.
“So that helps runners really adjust their pace if they need to or catch up a bit if they are chasing a time.”
“We've got a different timing process this year; there will be a mat on the finish line that gives people a very accurate time when they cross.
“So I think people will enjoy that upgrade to the event.”
Early-bird rates conclude on Sunday, August 23.
Interested participants can register at https://horshamrunningfestival.com.au