Warwick — 5 Races, 2 Days, 1 Marathon Distance
The Warwick Pentathrun is a full weekend event held at the end of May each year in the Southern Downs, two hours south-west of Brisbane along the Cunningham Highway. The concept is as simple as it is unique: five races, each of a completely different type — road, cross country, airstrip, mountain descent/ascent, and one-mile sprint — that together total 42.2 km. Competitors may enter any single race, any combination, or the full Pentathrun to complete an entire marathon distance across the weekend. Breakfast is served after Races 1, 4, and 5. A bus transports runners back to Warwick RSL after the half marathon. Race HQ for 2026 is the Warwick RSL. Wheelchair competitors are welcome — pre-arrangement required.
42.2 kmTotal — Full Pentathrun
5Races — 5 Different Types
2Days — Sat & Sun
2 hrsSW of Brisbane via Cunningham Hwy
"One of the rare race events where you get to run somewhere — and not just in a circuit. Start with a half marathon through the Warwick countryside, finish the weekend sprinting around the horse racing track. Five different types of running packed into one unforgettable weekend." — pentathrun.com
The 5 Races — Saturday 23 & Sunday 24 May 2026
RACE 1Half Marathon — Warwick to Yangan
📅 Sat 23 May
🕡 Start 06:30 · Cutoff 09:30
📏 21.1 km · Road & dirt
🚌 Bus to start + bus return
Point-to-point from Wireless Lane, Warwick → Junabee Road → gravel road → Hermitage-Emu Vale Road → Strudwicks Road → Yangan. Mix of road and dirt surfaces through open Queensland countryside. Complimentary breakfast at Yangan. Bus service available from Warwick RSL to the start line (recommended — very limited parking at start). Late bib collection 05:30–06:15 at the start.
RACE 2Steed & Step "X" Country — 4.5 km
📅 Sat 23 May
🕦 Start 11:30
📏 4.5 km · Cross Country
📍 Morgan Park, 6 km from Warwick
Warwick Horse Trials at Morgan Park, 228 Old Stanthorpe Rd — two laps of the horse trials grounds. Great for spectators. Split start process to spread runners across the trail. Late bib collection 10:30–11:15 at Morgan Park.
RACE 3SDRC 5K RUNaWAY — Warwick Aerodrome
📅 Sat 23 May
🕝 Start 14:30
📏 5 km · Flat road
📍 Warwick Aerodrome, Massie
Two laps of the Warwick Aerodrome airstrip, 111 Massie Bony Mountain Rd — marked by traffic cones, race marshals on course. Flat and fast. Presentations for Day 1 (Races 1, 2 & 3) at the Club Warwick RSL from 17:00. Late bib collection 13:30–14:15.
RACE 4Queen Mary Falls DC/AC — 10 km
📅 Sun 24 May
🕦 Start 06:45
📏 10 km · 5 km down + 5 km up
📍 Queen Mary Falls Café, Killarney
Starts and finishes at the Queen Mary Falls Café and Caravan Park, Killarney. The challenge is brutal: 5 km descending a steep hill, then an immediate 180-degree turn and 5 km back up the same hill. Very slight relief in the final and first kilometre. Drink stations on course. Complimentary breakfast at the Café Grounds. Bus back to RSL. Bib collection 06:15–06:35 at race start.
RACE 5The 'Optimile' — Warwick Racecourse
📅 Sun 24 May
🕚 Open 11:00 · Under-15s 11:15
📏 1,600 m · Horse racing track
🎉 Costumes encouraged!
One mile on the Warwick Turf Club Racecourse — run exactly where the horses race. Two races: 15 & Under first, then the Open race to close the weekend. Catering and coffee available. Presentations for Races 4 & 5 follow. Event ends 12:00. Costumes and club gear strongly encouraged for a festive finish. Late bib 10:00–10:45.
📍
Race HQ & bib collection: Warwick RSL, Warwick QLD — Friday 22 May 17:00–19:00 (race pack: number, timing chip, event info). Saturday late bibs at each race start. Timing: Sport Event Services (sportseventservices.com.au). Entry options: Any single race, combination, or all 5 (full Pentathrun = 42.2 km). Wheelchair: Welcome — pre-arrange via pentathrun.com/contact-us. Day 1 Presentations: Club Warwick RSL from 17:00. Day 2 Presentations: Warwick Racecourse after Race 5 (~12:00). Getting there: Warwick is 2 hours SW of Brisbane on the Cunningham Highway. Bus service available from RSL to Race 1 start — strongly recommended (very limited parking at Wireless Lane).
Running Shoes & Gear — i-Run
Road, trail and cross country shoes for the Warwick Pentathrun — half marathon on dirt roads, horse trials cross country, airstrip sprints, mountain descent at Queen Mary Falls: i-Run, specialist in running. Worldwide delivery.
Shop i-Run →
Race Schedule — 23–24 May 2026
| Race | Distance / Start | Location / Terrain |
|---|
| Race 1 — Half Marathon SAT |
21.1 km · 06:30 |
Warwick → Yangan · Road & dirt · Bfast + bus return · Cutoff 09:30 |
| Race 2 — Steed & Step X Country SAT |
4.5 km · 11:30 |
Morgan Park Horse Trials · 228 Old Stanthorpe Rd · 2 laps · Cross country · 6 km from Warwick |
| Race 3 — SDRC 5K RUNaWAY SAT |
5 km · 14:30 |
Warwick Aerodrome · 111 Massie Bony Mountain Rd · 2 laps airstrip · Flat & fast |
| Race 4 — Queen Mary Falls DC/AC SUN NEW COURSE |
10 km · 06:45 |
Queen Mary Falls Café, Killarney · 5 km down + 5 km up · Steep hill · Bfast at café · Bus return |
| Race 5 — The 'Optimile' SUN |
1,600 m · 11:00 |
Warwick Racecourse · 1 mile on horse track · Open + Under-15 races · Costumes welcome · End ~12:00 |
![RUNNING TRAIL[13]](/getfile.php/5493276.1046.zzkubbsiuqtaiu/RUNNING+TRAIL%5B13%5D.jpg)