Frequently Asked Questions

The 2025 C.ex Group Coffs Harbour Running Festival is on Sunday 14th September 2025.

Location: Coffs Harbour Showground 

Entries for the 2025 Coffs Harbour Running Festival are now open!

Enter here: https://www.eventwizards.com.au/frmRegister.aspx?SeriesID=46

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

Late Entries: Between 2:00pm-4:00pm on Saturday, September 13th, 2025

Location: Coffs Harbour Showground

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

Note: No late entries will be accepted on the day of the event, Sunday, September 14th, 2025.

Anytime Fitness Marathon: $100 

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 13th September 2025 between 2:00pm-4:00pm for all distances

Anytime Fitness Marathon: 18 years. 

HQB Half Marathon: 16 years. 

Baringa Private Hospital 10km Fun Run: 12 years.

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

For potential exemptions, contact run@rotarycoffsharbour.org.au

No refunds are available for non-starters or non-finishers.

However, you can defer your entry to the next year or transfer it to someone else before the event.

Yes, you can transfer your entry to someone else or change races up until 4:00pm on Saturday, 13th September 2025.

A fee difference must be paid if changing to a higher fee event, and no refunds are given for changing to a lower fee event.

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

Saturday, 13th September 2025: From 2:00pm to 4:00pm

Sunday, 14th September 2025: From 5:30am until 10 minutes before your race distance starts.

For example, 10km runners can collect their bib from 5:30am until 6:50am (race starts at 7:00am).

Someone else can collect your race bib on your behalf.

When you collect your race bib 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.

6:00am: HQB Half Marathon (sub 2 hour finishers)

6:02am: HQB Half Marathon (over 2 hour finishers)

6:05am: Anytime Fitness Marathon (mass start)

7:00am: Baringa Private Hospital 10km Fun Run (sub 55 minute finishers)

7:02am: Baringa Private Hospital 10km Fun Run (55 minute to 70 minute finishers)

7:00am: Baringa Private Hospital 10km Fun Run (over 70 minute finishers)

9:00am: Southern Cross University 5km Fun Run / Walk (sub 30 minute finishers)

9:02am: Southern Cross University 5km Fun Run / Walk (over 30 minute finishers)

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 the first wave of your race under the starting arch.

The Half Marathon, 10km and 5km are run off chip time. Marathon and 3km are gun time (mass start)

All distances start and finish at Coffs Harbour Showground.

No race medals are provided. The event has not had race medals for the last 10 years, except for one time in 2019 for the 21.1km race only.

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

Prizes

Pverall Race Winners: Receive an event engraved glass, event T-Shirt, and event cap or sock. Additionally, overall male and female winners of the 21.1km, 10km, and 5km races will have their names engraved on a perpetual trophy.a

Top Three Male/Female Finishers: Receive an event engraved glass and an event T-Shirt.

Age Category Winners: Receive an event T-Shirt.

2nd or 3rd in Age Categories: Receive the choice of an event hat or sock.

Random draw prizes

2025 random draw 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 enter the random draw, tear off the section at the bottom left corner of your race bib.

Place this section in your respective random draw box, located on the presentation stage near the finish line.

All prizes must be collected at the presentation.

We do not post out any prizes.

Purchasing: T-shirts and singlets are available for purchase when you enter online. Online orders close on 1st August 2025. They are also available for purchase at the event on Saturday, 13th September 2025, between 2:00pm and 4:00pm, and on Sunday, 14th September 2025, but there is no guarantee your size will be available.

Cost: T-shirts and singlets cost $50. They are lightweight, quick-dry, and stylish, available in standard sizes for ladies, men, and kids. Discounted T-shirts and singlets from previous years are typically available for purchase at the event.

Collection: T-shirts and singlets can only be collected at bib collection on Saturday, 13th September 2025, from 2:00pm to 4:00pm, and on Sunday, 14th September 2025, at the event. No refund will be provided if T-shirts and singlets are not collected at bib collection.

Shipping: T-shirts and singlets will not be posted out, whether ordered or won as prizes.

1. Choose a Charity: Select a local children’s charity to donate to.
2. Form a Team: Gather a team of 8 people. Each group of 8 people equals 1 entry into the random draw (e.g., 16 people = 2 entries, 24 people = 3 entries).
3. Register Online: Ensure all team members enter the same team name during online registration.
4. Participate and Attend Presentation: Run the event and be present at the presentation.

Random Draw Details:

• Five $1,000 random draws will be held at 10:00am on Sunday, 14th September.
• Winning teams must be present to donate their prize to a chosen local children’s charity.
• Team names and chosen charities will be announced in local media and on the event website.
• Each team can win only once.

Event Distances:

• Marathon (ages 18+)
• Half Marathon (ages 16+)
• 10km (ages 12+)
• 5km (all ages)
• 3km (all ages)

Note: Multiple event entries count as multiple team entries into the random draw.

Public toilets are available at the start/finish area at Coffs Harbour Showground.

On the course, toilets are located near:

• Dolphin Marine Conservation Park
• Saltwater Park
• Botanic Gardens
• Fisherman’s Co-op
• Jetty Foreshores
• Coffs Harbour Boatramp

Anytime Fitness Marathon: 15 water stations, including 6 full aid stations.

HQB 21.1km Half Marathon: 5 water stations.

Baringa Private Hospital 10km Run: 3 water stations.

Southern Cross University 5km Fun Run/Walk: 2 water stations.

Key Community Group 3km Fun Run/Walk: 1 water station.

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

Parking is also located in the following areas:

• Castle St multi car park
• Coffs St Olympic Pool Area
• Marcia St behind the Council Depot

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

There are plenty of volunteer roles to fill. Please contact run@rotarycoffsharbour.org.au for more information.

Can I listen to music while I run?

Yes, but only headphones that allow you to hear your surroundings (e.g. Shokz) are permitted.

Is there medical help on course?

Many volunteers will be stationed along the course to assist you if you encounter any difficulties or require assistance.

All water stations will have a first aid kit

Professional First Aid Officers will be present at the start line and floating around the course for the duration of the event.

The NSW Ambulance Service will be on call in case of emergencies

Is there a Finish Line Drop Bag Facility?

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 you label all items with your name and valuable items are not left here.

Can I bring a marquee?

Yes marquees are welcome but contact the Event Director prior at run@rotarycoffsharbour.org.au

There will be marquees set up at the finish, but there is not enough shelter for every runner.

It is recommended that you bring your own marquee and a picnic mat or rug to sit on.

Can I ride my bike, or have someone ride alongside me while I run?

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

Can I walk the event?

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

Position yourself within the start field relative to your ability to avoid impeding faster participants.

Be courteous to fellow participants and stay on the left-hand side of the course.

Walkers are not permitted in the 21.1km event.

Can I run with my dog?

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

Is there anything to do post-race?

Sit back, relax and cheer the other runners home.

There will be food and drink options available, including a BBQ provided by the Rotary Club of Coffs Harbour. All proceeds from the BBQ will go to local charities.

Matt and his team from Coffs Coast Sports Physiotherapy will be present to offer sports massages.

Are strollers, prams or wheelchairs allowed?

• Wheelchairs: Permitted, but note 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: Allowed in the 3km Run/Walk only and must start at the back of the field. Parents are responsible for the safety of themselves and other runners. If parents want their child to receive an official time and finisher’s certificate, they must enter and pay the appropriate entry fee.