This one's for the speedsters. The Sydney Olympic Park Track 5km is a no-frills, all-business time trial run on the track at the Sydney Olympic Park Athletic Centre — the same Edwin Flack Avenue venue that hosts the state's biggest meets. The whole point is simple: a flat, fast, perfectly measured 5km where you can go all-in for a personal best, held early in the morning to dodge the heat.
Runners are split into graded races (subject to entries) so you're racing people around your own pace, with timing and results emailed out afterwards. Entry includes access to the warm-up track, and the event is run on a not-for-profit basis, with fees going towards track hire.
Entry is for quick runners only: you'll need to have run a sub-20-minute 5km in the past year to line up. Close but not quite there? The organisers may be able to add a race depending on interest, so it's worth getting in touch. The final schedule lands the week of the event. With the 2026 edition on Friday 17 July, it's a brilliant mid-winter chance to chase a sharp 5km time on a genuine athletics track.
Bronwyn and Josh who organise the event have pulled together something special here. These events are an incredible opportunity to punch out a 5000m PB, in the morning when it's cool. Something you can't do during a 35 degree summer day at an ANSW event, or on a jam packed parkrun course. Grass roots running at it's best, surrounded by local legends who will help you keep up the pace.
Timothy Broxup, Delta Running Project.
