Great Runs in Sydney
Sydney is the state capital of New South Wales and the most populous city in Australia and Oceania. Located on Australia’s east coast, the metropolis surrounds the world’s largest natural harbor, and sprawls towards the Blue Mountains to the west. Sydney‘s countless coves, good weather, and numerous beaches along the coast provide great running opportunities. Additionally, between the Opera House, Harbor Bridge, the Central Business District skyscrapers, lighthouses and ferries there is no shortage of places to explore! We have put together a great combination of routes, from a tourist tour of Sydney to iconic runs along the city’s famous beaches and gorgeous parks — many of them near main business and tourist hotels.
Sydney has a humid subtropical climate with warm summers, mild winters and uniform rainfall throughout the year. Average winter (June through August) temperatures have highs in the 60s °F (16–17 °C) and lows in the upper 40s °F (8–9 °C). Summer months (December through March) have temperatures in the 80s with warm nights. The weather is moderated by proximity to the ocean, and more extreme temperatures are recorded in the inland western suburbs. Sydney experiences an urban heat island effect. This makes certain parts of the city more vulnerable to extreme heat. Overall, Sydney’s weather is ideal for running, so take advantage while you are visiting.
Driving is the local’s preferred method of getting around the city. During rush hour, there are up to 350,000 cars on Sydney’s roads. If you would rather use public transit, there is a comprehensive bus and train system. Additionally, NightRide is a nightly bus service that operate between midnight and 5am, replacing trains for most of this period.
The Iconic Routes
- Sydney Sites
- Iron Cove
- Bondi to Coogee
- Manly Beach
- Centennial Park
- Heartbreak Hill
- Sydney Olympic Park
- Lane Cove National Park
The Routes
Sydney Sites
6.3 mile RT. Start: Observatory Hill Park MAP
This route is great if you have never been to Sydney before. It gives you the full Sydney experience touring through the harbor, gardens and parks. Start your run at Observatory Hill Park (accessible through public transit at Circular Quay). From here, head North to Hickson Rd. and loop around Dawes Point to get great views of the Harbour Bridge. Next, you will pass through Circular Quay and follow the coast along the walkway towards the Opera House. Stay left to run around the white sails or take a short cut to the Botanic Gardens via the stairs. Continue along the harbors edge of the gardens, around to Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair, past the art gallery and through the Domain and Hyde Park. Turning right into Liverpool St, follow it all the way down to Darling Harbour. Head North along the shore past the Aquarium, Kings Wharf, Wulugul Walk until you get to Hickson Rd. Take a left here, to return to the start. With all the sites to stop and see along the way, this route will feel much shorter than 6 miles! Plus, by the end of this route you will know the downtown area pat.
Iron Cove Bay Run
4.4 mile loop Start: Bay Run Parking MAP
Located just 15 minutes West of the city, Bay Run is one of the favorites among local runners. This route follows the shoreline of Iron Cove while passing through Drummoyne, Russell Lea, Rodd Point, Five Dock, Haberfield, Lilyfield, and Rozelle. Along your run, enjoy beautiful waterfront views and a tree-lined, easy to follow path. About 3.5 miles into the route, you will run on the Victoria Road Bridge, where you cross over the Parramatta River and get amazing views of the Central Business District skyline. Because you are just outside the city, this route takes advantage of a tranquil and uncrowded environment. Parking is available at the start of the loop.
Bondi to Coogee
4.1 miles one-way Start: Bondi Beach MAP
If you prefer seaside runs, this route cannot be missed! Famous Bondi Beach is about 10k west of the CBD. Beginning at Bondi Pavilion head south to follow the coastal path to Coogee (pronounced “kuh-jee”) Beach. Along the way, you will pass 225-million-year-old sandstone cliffs, aboriginal rock carvings at Mackenzie’s Point, the historic Waverly Cemetery, beautiful beaches (and beachgoers) as well as the clam waters of Clovelly and Gordon’s Bay. The path is well maintained and has numerous rest rooms and water fountains along the way. If you’re up for a long run turn around and run back to Bondi. However, if 4 miles is enough you have the option to take the bus 362 back to Bondi Road (just a short walk to the staring point), or lines 372, 373 or 374 will take you back to the city. Before you go anywhere, make sure you enjoy Coogee. Take a dip in the ocean and enjoy one of the many local cafés (I recommend Barzura café).
Manly Beach
North Head to Manly Beach: 5.65 miles one-way Start: Manly Wharf MAP
Manly to Spit Bridge: 5.5 miles one-way Start: Manly Wharf MAP
Both of these routes begin by taking the scenic half-hour ferry ride from Circular Quay across Sydney Harbour to the suburb of Manly, a narrow strip of land between Sydney Harbour and the Pacific. Once in Manly, there are a few scenic walkways that provide great trails to run on. We have two routes from Manly Wharf: to the beach and National Park; and to Spit Bridge.
North Head to Manly Beach: Start from the ferry wharf in Manly and follow E Esplanade to Stuart St. Brace yourself to gain 260 feet in just under a mile along Collins Beach Rd and N. Head Scenic Drive. The ocean views at the top are worth all your hard work. You’ll run around Sydney Harbour National Park and to the Fairfax Lookout. After you have thoroughly enjoyed the views, head back down N. Head Scenic Drive to Manly Beach — and reward yourself with a refreshing dip in the ocean. Return to the start by following the mall back to the wharf.
Manly to Spit Bridge: To follow the Manly to Spit Bridge path, look for the “Scenic Walkway” information posts on the wharf when you dock. Head left out along the 6-mile Manly Scenic Track. The walk is well-signed and passes by aboriginal engravings (marked by kangaroo logos) as it twists and dips its way through pockets of rain forest and along sandstone cliffs, all the while providing smashing across-the-water views of Sydney. There are a number of detours for those looking to get off the “beaten track”, such as the views of the harbor from the old Grotto Point Lighthouse. Once you get to Spit Bridge, you can hop on a bus back to the city!
Centennial Park
2.6 mile loop Start: Oxford Street Park Entrance MAP
Centennial Park, just 2.5 miles southeast of the Central Business District (CBD), is a great place to to get lost in nature on your run. The main route through Centennial Park is a loop around Grand Drive. This 3.5-km loop within the park has parallel paths for bikes, cars, runners and horses (a dirt bridal path). However, if you want to make things a little bit more interesting, follow our route which follows Grand Drive in the north part of the park, and the lake-shores in the south. It’s easy to get there on public transit. Just take one of the buses that head out to Oxford Street from the CBD (for example, use the bus stops at the south end of Hyde Park to catch lines 352, 378, 380 or M40). Note: the park is only open between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Heartbreak Hill (City2Surf Course)
6.2 miles one-way. Start: New South Head Rd Bus Stop MAP
Heartbreak Hill (The Sydney version for you Boston Marathon types!) is notorious in the Sydney running community. As the most difficult part of the City2Surf race held annually, it is a right of passage when running in Sydney. This is a 10k run one way, including a 2 km steep ascent from Rose Bay to Vaucluse along New South Head Road. To get there, take the 323, 324, 325, or 326 bus line to New South Head Rd near Knox St. Follow New South Head Rd to Rose Bay wharf, which was a seaplane airport during WWII. Here you will begin your climb while enjoying spectacular harbor views, a glimpse of the Bridge and lots of people watching. When you reach the top, follow Military Rd. down to Bondi Beach to take a much deserved swim. Return to the start by taking one of the many bus lines along Blondi Beach.
Sydney Olympic Park
MAP of Olympic Park Paths. 20k west of CBD, accessible by train.
In 2000, the Summer Olympics were hosted in Sydney. Now the Olympic Park is a large sporting, cultural and leisure complex in the Inner West area of Sydney. Olympic Park is home to many major Sydney running events and has limitless running tracks. Free from traffic, the park offers visitors an astounding 640 hectares of man-made and natural attractions. There are three main circuits in the Park, a 5.5 km, 7.7km and 11.1 km (all outlined on the map above). No need to restrict yourself to these circuits, with over 21 miles of running trails you’ll never do the same route twice. The park is ~20k west of the city and accessible by a quick 30 minute train ride.
Lane Cove National Park
6.8 mile loop Start: Chatswood Park MAP
Just about a 20 minute drive from the city is Lane Cove National Park. Here you will find a 6.8 mile running track following the shores of Land Cove River. Start in Chatswood Park (where there is parking available). Catch the Riverside Walk trail and enjoy the gnarled red gum trees and rocky outcroppings. Cross over the De Burghs Bridge to return along the opposite bank. Along the way, look for caves and Australian native birds including kookaburras (with a laughing-cackling call) and lorikeets .
Stay
The Central Business District extends about 2 miles (3 km) south from Sydney Cove and houses the majority of hotels. From these hotels, Sydney Sites route is accessible right out your front door while Heartbreak Hill, Manly, Bondi Beach and Centennial Park Routes are all easily accessible on public transportation. Sydney Olympic Stadium, Land Cove National Park and Iron Cove are within a 20–30 minutr drive and easily accessible by public transport.
Stores and Group Runs
Running Science Rozelle. Service orientated running retail store established by two of Sydney`s leading sports podiatrists. Hosts weekly run club happens from our shop at 5.55am.
The Running Company Bondi Beach. Specialty running store with digital gait analysis.
The Running Hub Potts Point. Independent running speciality store with digital gait analysis.
The Sydney Running Centre Edgecliff.
The Athlete’s Foot Broadway.
Fivemore Paddington. Activewear and lifestyle store for women.
Sydney Striders A group run every Sunday morning rotating through 30 different 10K courses covering the most scenic areas of Sydney’s North Shore, Eastern Suburbs, and Inner West.
Kings Cross Track Club Running group meeting up at the Kings Cross Coke sign every Tuesday (7pm) and Thursday (6.45am) and some Sundays (8.30am).
Events
Sydney has a very active running community and lots of events to be involved in.
Events Calendars #1. Events Calendar #2
Some of the major events are:
Blackmores Sydney Marathon September. Marathon, half marathon, 9K and 4K.
Sydney Trail Series Spring (September — November) and Summer (January — March). 8km, 11km, 20km, 30km.
Husky Half Marathon August. Half Marathon, Relay, 2K and 5K.
Western Sydney Marathon October. Held at the Sydney International Regatta Centre. Marathon, half marathon, 10K, and 5K.
The Carcoar Cup Running Festival November. 60km ultramarathon, 42.2km marathon, 21.1km half marathon, 10km walk, 6km, 1.8kms kids run. The full marathon can be run solo or as part of a team relay.
Sydney Morning Herald Half Marathon May. Australia’s largest and most prestigious half marathon, incorporates a relay option as well.
Manly Soft Sand Classic June. Half marathon, 9K and 1.6km Golden Mile.
City2Surf August. 14km distance featuring Heartbreak Hill.
