Newcastle has undergone a quiet transformation over the past decade. The old steelworks city is now a genuinely exciting place — a coastal city with a thriving arts scene, excellent food and coffee, some of the best surf beaches in NSW within walking distance of the city centre, and one of the country's great harbours. The Henderson Newcastle Marathon, staged from the Old Newcastle Railway Station, makes full use of all of it, threading runners through the city's heritage precinct and along the Harbour foreshore on a World Athletics certified course.
Starting at The Station (the beautifully restored old Newcastle railway terminus), the course winds through the city's heritage streetscapes, along the Harbour foreshore, and through the surrounding parklands. It's a course that showcases the best of what Newcastle has to offer, on a World Athletics certified route suitable for PB attempts and qualifier races. The April date catches the city in its autumn best — mild temperatures, clear skies, and the beach crowds of summer well gone.
Marathon (42.2km) and Half Marathon (21.1km). The event is run by H Events, the same company behind the Gold Coast Marathon, which speaks to the quality of organisation. Register at newcastlemarathon.com.au.
Newcastle is genuinely worth the trip even without the race. Nobbys Beach, Bar Beach, Merewether, and Dixon Park are all world-class surf spots within a few kilometres of the city centre. The Hunter Street precinct and Darby Street cafe strips are excellent, and the accommodation scene has improved dramatically with the city's revival.
Newcastle is 2.5 hours north of Sydney by car via the Pacific Motorway. Newcastle Airport receives flights from Melbourne, Brisbane, and Gold Coast. By train, the Newcastle Interchange is roughly 3 hours from Sydney Central with a connecting service to the city.
