The Barossa Valley is responsible for some of the greatest Shiraz ever made, and on 23 August 2026 it will also be responsible for what promises to be a genuinely excellent running event. The Barossa Marathon Festival sends runners through the same vineyard country that produces Penfolds Grange, Henschke Hill of Grace, and a hundred other wines that people cellar for decades. The difference is that after this particular Barossa experience, you'll have earned a glass.
Starting at Château Tanunda, the flat, fast course winds through Barossa's breathtaking wine country on sealed roads. The race village is at The Rex, Barossa Aquatic Centre on Magnolia Rd, with the start, marathon turnaround, and finish all in front of the Aquatic Centre. With minimal elevation change, this is a genuine PB-hunting course — World Athletics certified and recognised for qualification purposes. August temperatures in the Barossa (typically 8–15°C at start time) are about as good as Australian marathon conditions get.
Marathon (42.2km), Half Marathon (21.1km), 10km, and 5km. Late entries close online at 5pm on Saturday 22 August, so don't leave registration too late.
The Barossa is one of Australia's great food and wine destinations. Seppeltsfield Road, the Maggie Beer Farm Shop, and a staggering density of cellar doors are all within easy reach of Tanunda. The post-race recovery scene here is genuinely exceptional — there are few better places in Australia to sit in the sun with tired legs and a very good glass of something red.
Tanunda is about 75km north of Adelaide, roughly an hour by car. Adelaide Airport is your best bet for interstate travellers. The Barossa has excellent accommodation options, and Adelaide itself is worth a few days either side of race weekend.
