Your guide to the ASICS Runaway Noosa Marathon

Marathon details | Best things to do in Noosa | Where to eat and drink | Where to stay

When: 24 May 2025

Imagine running a marathon when you hit the wall. You’re digging deep, searching for something that’ll get you to the finish line. How about a pumping crowd cheering from the sidelines in one of Queensland’s most iconic holiday destinations?

We’re describing the ASICS Runaway Noosa Marathon — one of Australia’s most prestigious running events, offering a variety of distances on a multi-lap course.

And because this is a marathon — not a sprint — you’re going to want to spend a few days here to soak up Noosa’s beachfront chic. Put on your running shoes and plan it out with our Noosa Marathon Guide, outlining all the event essentials as well as the must-dos in this coastal paradise.

Everything you need to know about the Runaway Noosa Marathon

Part of the Runaway series of marathons — held in spectacular locations across Australia and New Zealand — the Noosa Runaway Marathon offers marathon, half-marathon, 10 and 5-kilometre distances (the 10 and 5-kilometre races cater for wheelchair users, with the 5-kilometre an all ages).

The marathon takes place on a fast, flat multi-lap course — meaning you’ll never be far from other competitors or spectators — starting and finishing metres from Hastings Street.

All events start at Noosa Parade, before crossing over a pair of bridges above Noosa’s sparkling waterways and following the curves of Weyba Creek.

Runners will then track alongside the Noosa River for 1.5-kilometres, before crossing into laidback Noosaville and along the Hilton Esplanade.

From there, the course reaches its western turnaround, before looping back on itself all the way back to Noosa Parade—just in time for you to do it three more times!

The shorter-distances use the same course, with two laps for the half-marathon, and shortened versions for the 10-kilometre and 5-kilometre runs (oh, by the way—the Runaway Noosa Marathon road closures mean you have the course all to yourself).

There are water stations and toilet stops along the course, but it’s the DJs, live music and stunning coastal location that keep the vibes high — not to mention the spectators willing you on to a PB.

This bucket list marathon (and half-marathon) is already sold out for 2025 — so your best bet this year is the 5-kilometre or 10-kilometre distance.

Check out the Noosa Marathon website to register and for all the key event info, and make sure to download the Runaway Noosa Marathon App which includes an athlete tracker (perfect for any supporters so they can follow you along!).

Explore the best of Noosa

After running your way around Noosa, make sure to slow it down and take some time to enjoy the region, from the sophistication of Hastings Street to the he tea-tree infused waters of the Everglades.

Start your day with a dose of wellness — take a SUP yoga class on the Noosa River, ride the waves off Noosa Main Beach (learn to surf with Go Ride a Wave Noosa), or take to the lush trails of Noosa National Park, where the rainforest meets the sea.

Take a stroll down Hastings Street, a tree-lined bustling strip of cafes, restaurants, surf shops and boutiques literally a few steps from the pandanus trees and golden sands of Main Beach (TIP: take a 5-minute walk to the secluded beauty and calm waters of nearby Little Cove Beach).

See another side of Noosa and venture out into the hinterland for the day — a mountainous expanse of dairy farms, state and national forests, dotted with towns bristling with country charm.

While you’re there, take a scenic drive, pamper yourself at Ikatan Balinese Day Spa, or pick-up something special at the Eumundi Markets, Australia’s largest art and craft markets.

Or spend the day in the Noosa Everglades—one of two everglades systems in the world—and take a self-guided canoe tour with Everglades Eco Safari or paddle the waters with Kanu Kapers.

Eat and drink your way around Noosa

Kick-start your morning with a cappuccino or oat latte at one of Noosa’s best brunch spots—we’re talking sweet or savoury crepes at Flo’s Creperie, avo on charcoal sourdough at VanillaFood or an acai bowl brimming with seasonal fruits at Depot.

Noosa is your oyster when it comes to lunch. Check out Noosa Boathouse, perched on the edge of the Noosa River, and tuck into lamb gnocchi or Mooloolaba King Prawns. Make it a lazy afternoon and head to the rooftop Sunset Bar for oysters and cocktails with live music on Sunday afternoons.

For dinner, choose from the chef-hatted farm-to-table delights of the famed Noosa Beach House on Hastings Street, with its exquisite modern European flavours, or head to the boardwalk for moonlit dinner by the sea—try pork and prawn tortellini or the famous calamari at Bistro C.

After something more casual? Run your finger through the cocktail menu at Miss Moneypennys bar and restaurant and let the mixologists make creations like smoked peanut butter old fashioneds, or ride into Village Bicycle where festoon lights and graffiti-walled beer garden awaits.

Best places to stay in Noosa

After that marathon effort, you deserve to treat yourself. Go on! We’re thinking beach-front pool decks, panoramic ocean views, and luxuriously appointed rooms — everything you’ll find at Netanya Noosa, Seahaven Noosa Beachfront Resort and On The Beach Noosa, hemmed right up against the Pacific Ocean along the boardwa lk.

Other options in the heart of Noosa Heads include Pepper’s Noosa Resort and Villas, on the fringes of Noosa National Park, Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort with its French elegance and capacious swimming pool (complete with swim-up bar) or the Hamptons-stylings of the Sebel Noosa.

Got the kids with you? How’s this sound: a heated lagoon pool and water splash park surrounded by lounge-beds. There’s something for the whole family to enjoy at RACV Noosa Resort, with a day spa, flood lit tennis court and sunset bar with wood fired pizzas.

For accommodation options a little easier on the hip pocket, take a squiz at some of the resorts and apartments dotted around Noosaville, such as Noosa Lakes Resort, with three gargantuan lagoon pools, or  Coral Beach Noosa Resort, offering affordable, family friendly accommodation.

For more grit and sweat, check out the best of Queensland’s endurance event season.