Just a short drive from Melbourne and Geelong, the You Yangs Trail Running Festival turns the granite peaks and bushland of the You Yangs Regional Park into a weekend-long celebration of trail running. Part of the Trailsplus Mountain Trail Series, it's a friendly, well-run event that caters to absolutely everyone, from first-time trail runners to seasoned 100-mile ultra-runners.
The festival spreads its events across the weekend: a 21km and 42km on Saturday, then 5km, 15km, 30km and 50km on Sunday, plus a huge 100km and a 100-mile for the truly committed, run across both days. The trails roll through open forest and around the distinctive granite outcrops, with enough climbing to keep things interesting without being brutal.
The winter timing means cool, crisp running conditions — ideal for going long. The You Yangs are exposed in places, so check the forecast and dress accordingly. With so many distances, it's a great event to bring the family and all pick a challenge. Entries are through Trailsplus, and the longer ultras have field limits, so don't leave it too late.
Brett Mcevoy won the 100-mile race in 22:30:36 at the 2026 You Yangs Trail Running Festival, which began on Saturday 18 July. Nagiska Mayes was the fastest woman in 26:23:55, fifth outright from 28 starters.
| Position | Name | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brett Mcevoy | 22:30:36 |
| 2 | Rhys Antonio | 22:52:43 |
| 3 | Stuart Cox | 23:35:24 |
| 4 | Nathan Constable | 25:44:38 |
| 5 | Nagiska Mayes | 26:23:55 |
| 6 | Dean Underwood | 26:33:24 |
| 7 | Jarrod Burke | 28:12:31 |
| 8 | Ryan Bridgman | 29:05:40 |
| 9 | Dylan Lindsay | 31:16:22 |
| 10 | Simon Agostinelli | 31:46:52 |
James Bland took the 100km in 10:58:25, more than half an hour clear of Keaton Poulton. Katie Dawson was the fastest woman in 15:07:36, 17th overall.
| Position | Name | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | James Bland | 10:58:25 |
| 2 | Keaton Poulton | 11:32:47 |
| 3 | Brad Heywood | 12:01:12 |
| 4 | Dylan Taylor | 12:38:27 |
| 5 | Arjun Bhardwaj | 12:56:49 |
| 6 | Myles Jamieson | 13:13:28 |
| 7 | Rhys Mchugh | 13:13:28 |
| 8 | Reece Nunn | 13:17:26 |
| 9 | Callum Hunter | 13:18:02 |
| 10 | Dominic Packham | 13:21:53 |
Chris Wilder won the 50km in 4:28:56 from 102 finishers. Sophie Broome was third outright in 4:48:40, the fastest woman and the only one on the overall podium across the festival's four longest races.
| Position | Name | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chris Wilder | 04:28:56 |
| 2 | Nicholas Wines | 04:40:54 |
| 3 | Sophie Broome | 04:48:40 |
| 4 | Christopher Byrne | 04:51:29 |
| 5 | Daniel Hutchins | 04:52:28 |
| 6 | Jade Bucklow | 04:57:33 |
| 7 | David Balfour | 05:09:20 |
| 8 | Scott Bewley | 05:09:46 |
| 9 | Ryan Milloy | 05:12:02 |
| 10 | Nathan Ricalio | 05:13:22 |
The 21km drew 191 finishers, the second-biggest field of the weekend behind the 15km. Matt Bayley won it in 1:30:01, ten minutes clear of Mikey Combe. Simone Brick was the fastest woman in 1:50:39, eighth overall.
| Position | Name | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matt Bayley | 01:30:01 |
| 2 | Mikey Combe | 01:40:05 |
| 3 | Augustir Jeevan | 01:45:31 |
| 4 | Chris White | 01:46:57 |
| 5 | Edward Eccles | 01:46:59 |
| 6 | Carl Morgan | 01:50:10 |
| 7 | Sam Morales | 01:50:23 |
| 8 | Simone Brick | 01:50:39 |
| 9 | Michael Kennedy | 01:52:45 |
| 10 | Jake Quick | 01:53:13 |
Results published by Trailsplus: complete 2026 You Yangs Trail Running Festival results, all distances.
