The Trail Running Series – Blackwood

Welcome to Race 1 Location for the 2026 Trail Running Series – BLACKWOOD!

Race 1 for 2026 is located in Blackwood, within the midst of the Lerderderg State Park, just 75mins from Melbourne. Starting and Finishing at the Blackwood Recreation Reserve with the Lerderderg River trickling by, the small rural village is surrounded by bushland and has a very friendly and welcoming vibe.

Each course provides some great running with a delightful mix of forest and bushland trails beside the Lerderdeg River, along aquaduct trails and weaving single track – it truly is a hidden gem for trail runners!

The Trail Running Series is the pre-eminent trail running series in Australia with an incredible race atmosphere that is welcoming of all runners – first timers through to the running elite. The Series revolutionised trail running in Australia by taking it to the masses 16 years ago and continues to lead the way as one of Australia’s most popular trail running events.

Each event will include: 7-8 kilometre short course race, 13-15 kilometre medium course race, 22-28 kilometre long course race. Each event will be centralised around an extensive event village with sponsors, food, music and happy trail runners.

The 2026 Series features: 3 event series, Race 3 at Silvan conducted in a handicap format – so everyone will finish together, a longer ‘long course’ option for the die-hard runners, an enhanced event expo with more food, entertainment and activity, free gift for Gold Runners doing all three events.

So, tell your friends (and enlighten your road running mates) and join them for an escape to the wilderness this winter.