Frequently Asked Questions

The 2025 Coffs Harbour Running Festival will be held on Sunday 14th September 2025 

Entries for the 2025 Coffs Harbour Running festival will open in April 2025

Online entries close Friday, September 12th 2025 at 5:00pm.

Late entries are available in person at Coffs Harbour Showground on Saturday, September 13th 2025 between 2:00pm-4:00pm

Each late entry incurs an additional $10 fee for all distances.

No late entries on Sunday 14th September 2025 on the day of the event.

No. Payment is compulsory at time of entry. Entries without payment will not be accepted.

HQB Half Marathon: $60 

Baringa Private Hospital 10km Fun Run: $40

Southern Cross University 5km Fun Run/Walk: $25

Key Community Group 3km Fun Run/Walk:  $15

An additional $10 late entry fee will occur for all entries on Saturday 7th September 2024 between 2:00pm-4:00pm for all distances

HQB Half Marathon is 16 years. 

Baringa Private Hospital 10km Fun Run is 12 years.

There are no minimum age requirements for the Southern Cross University 5km and Key Community Group 3km.

Age is taken as of Sunday 14th September 2025

No, there are no refunds for non-starters or non-finishers.

When you enter online, you are accepting the terms and conditions of entry ‘Once my Entry Application has been accepted, I am not entitled to a refund or credit of any nature, including cancellation of the Event, or races within the Event due to bad weather, personal circumstances, bereavement, hardship, infectious diseases or any other reason whatsoever’.

You are allowed to defer your entry to next year or transfer your entry to someone else. Please contact run@rotarycoffsharbour.org.au

Yes you can transfer your entry to someone else but not after the event has occurred.

Please contact run@rotarycoffsharbour.org.au

Yes deferrals are allowed but not after the event has occurred.

Please contact run@rotarycoffsharbour.org.au

Yes, entries can be transferred between races up until 4:00pm on Saturday 13th September 2025 but not on Race Day.

Please contact run@rotarycoffsharbour.org.au

A fee difference must be paid if changing to a higher fee event. 

There will not be any refunds for changing to a lower fee event.

Race bib collection will take place at the Coffs Harbour Showground on:

– Saturday 13th September 2025 from 2:00pm – 4:00pm

– Sunday 14th September 2025 from 5:30am until 10 minutes before your race distance starts. For example, the 10km runners can collect their bib from 5:30am until 6:50am (race starts 7:00am). 

You will be given your race number and promotional items by sponsors if available. 

Your race number MUST be worn on the front of your torso for the duration of the race. 

Safety pins are provided.

Yes. Someone else can collect your race bib on your behalf.

6:00am: HQB Half Marathon

7:00am: Baringa Private Hospital 10km Fun Run 

9:00am: Southern Cross University 5km Fun Run / Walk

9:15am: Key Community Group 3km Fun Run / Walk

10:00am: Presentation and random draw prizes.

There will be a race briefing 5 minutes before the start of your race.

The race starts and finishes at Coffs Harbour Showground.

The race briefing is held 5 minutes before each race starts on the start line under the large arch.

No we don’t. We have not had race medals for the last 10 years, bar one time in 2019 for the 21.1km only.

All participants will receive a digital Certificate of Achievement that they can print off after completing the event.

2025 prizes are TBC

For 2024, we had the following random draw prizes for each of the distances:

• Vouchers for Brooks Running shoes

• Vouchers for Athletes Foot Coffs Harbour

• Vouchers for Yakd Apparel

• Vouchers for Refined Wellness & Recovery

• Vouchers for Lorna Jane

To be in the draw for a random prize, simply tear off the section at the bottom left corner of your race bib and place in your respective random draw box located prior to the presentation start.

The random draw boxes will be located on the presentation stage near the finish line.

No sorry. You must be at the presentation at 10:00am to collect your prize.

You will get an event engraved glass, event T-Shirt and event cap or sock.

21.1km, 10km and 5km male and female overall winners will also get their name engraved on a perpetual trophy. 

The top three males and females in each event will get an event engraved glass and event T-Shirt. 

Age category winners will get an event T-Shirt.

2nd or 3rd in age categories will get the choice of an event hat or sock.

T-Shirts and singlets are available for purchase when you enter online. Online orders for t-shirts and singlets close 1st August 2025.

T-Shirts and singlets are also available to buy on Saturday 13th September 2025 between 2:00pm-4:00pm and on Sunday 14th September 2025 at the event but there is no guarantee your size will be available.

T-Shirts and singlets cost $45 online or $50 at the event.

Our T-Shirts and singlets are lightweight, quick-dry and stylish with available standard sizes including ladies, mens and kids.

We typically have discounted T-Shirts and singlets from previous years available on Saturday 13th September 2025 2:00pm-4:00pm and on Sunday 14th September 2025 at the event.

T-Shirts & Singlets will not be posted out whether ordered or won as prizes.

T-Shirts & Singlets can only be collected at bib collection on Saturday 13th September 2025 2:00pm-4:00pm and on Sunday 14th September 2025 at the event. No refund will be provided if T-Shirts & Singlets are not collected at bib collection.

Step 1: Think about a local children’s charity that you would like to donate too.

Step 2: Find a team of 8 people

8 people means 1 entry into the random draw. 16 people in a team = 2
random draw entries. 24 people = 3 entries etc

Step 3: When you enter online, make sure you enter the same team name as your other team members

Step 4: Run the event and be at the presentation

5 x $1,000 random draws will be drawn at the presentation at 10:00am on Sunday 14th September.

The 5 x $1,000 random draws will be donated by the team to a charity of their choice. For example, if your teams name is drawn, you must come up to the presentation stage and tell everyone which local children’s charity you will be donating to. Your team name and charity will be mentioned in the local media and on the website.

Teams must be in attendance to donate their random draw amount. A team can win only once.

Distances on offer include the half marathon (ages 16+), 10km (12+), 5km (all ages) and 3km (all ages) events all held on the picturesque Coffs Creek Walkway.

If you enter multiple events multiple team entries into the random draw will be counted

Yes there will be a bag drop in the registration area. However the Rotary Club of Coffs Harbour is not responsible for your gear.

It is strongly recommended that valuable items are not left here.

Yes marquees are allowed but you need to contact the Event Director prior at run@rotarycoffsharbour.org.au

Yes, there will be marquees set up but there is not enough shelter for ever runner. We recommend you bring your own marquee and a picnic mat or rug to sit on.

Public toilets are available at the start / finish at Coffs Harbour Showground and on course near Dolphin Marine Conservation Park, Saltwater Park and Botanic Gardens 

There will be:

• 6 water stations for the HQB 21.1km Half Marathon.

• 3 water stations for the Baringa Private Hospital 10km Run

• 2 water stations for the Southern Cross University 5km Fun Run / Walk.

• 1 water station for the Key Community Group 3km Fun Run / Walk.

No food, gels or anything other than water is provided on course.

Volunteers are most welcome at the C.ex Group Coffs Harbour Running Festival as the event is mostly organised by volunteers.

We have plenty of volunteer roles to fill if you are interested. Please contact the Event Director at  run@rotarycoffsharbour.org.au for more information.

Walkers are allowed in the 3km, 5km and 10km.

You should position yourself within the start field relative to your ability and goal so faster participants are not impeded and should be courteous to your fellow participants at all times. Stay on the left hand side of the course.

Walkers are not permitted in the 21.1km.

An abundance of volunteers will be stationed along the course to assist you should you get into any difficulties or require assistance in any way.

Professional First Aid Officers will be on the course at the start line and floating around the course for the duration of the event. NSW Ambulance Service is on call should an emergency present itself.

Parking is located in the following areas:

• Castle St multi car park,
• Coffs St Olympic Pool Area
• Marcia St behind the Council Depot
• Coffs Harbour Showground (limited).

Parking at Coffs Harbour Showground typically fills up at or before 7am.

Use of an ipod/mp3 player is discouraged as it compromises your safety and the safety of others.

No. Roller blading, skating, cycling, skipping and nordic pole walking are not permitted in any event.

No animals of any kind are allowed in any events due to the width of the course and race numbers. If required for medical assistance please contact run@rotarycoffsharbour.org.au prior to race day 

Wheelchairs are permitted noting that the course is bumpy with roots, gravel and bush trails. Please contact the Race Director at run@rotarycoffsharbour.org.au prior to race day.

Strollers are acceptable in the 3km Run/Walk only and must start at the back of the field.  However, it is important for parents to be aware that they are responsible for the safety of themselves and other runners should they wish to push a pram along this course. If parents would like their child to receive an official time and finisher’s certificate then they must enter and pay the appropriate entry fee as per the usual entry process.

Sit back, relax and cheer the other runners home. There will food and drink options available including a BBQ provided by the Rotary Club of Coffs Harbour with all proceeds going to local charities.

Matt and his team from Coffs Coast Sports Physiotherapy will be present under the shade for sports massages.