If you’re looking for some big goals to add to your 2026 New Year’s resolution list, might we suggest the recently announced Parramatta Half Marathon?
In yet another feather in the cap of Western Sydney’s boundless development, the Parramatta Half Marathon will arrive in 2026 – giving running fanatics the chance to pound the pavement for glory (blisters and all).
The 21.1km course will begin on O’Connell Street and take runners through the CBD, past Parramatta Square, out to Western Sydney Uni, before tracking back to CommBank Stadium for a well-earned fist pump across the finish line.
The event will take place on June 21 – because let’s be honest, nobody wants to be hoofing it through Western Sydney when the temps are high – and marks the beginning of an exciting running season in Greater Sydney.
RELATED READ: These are the best running routes in Sydney.
With the world-major Sydney Marathon taking place on August 30, this will be the perfect warm-up for the big race (if you manage to draw a ballot spot).
Lord Mayor Martin Zaiter is expecting the new event to bring a real buzz to the calendar, drawing in runners from all over.
“We’ve seen the rise and rise of marathons around the world, and it’s the perfect time to leverage this for Parramatta,” he told the Sydney Morning Herald. “It’s just amazing… athletes will be coming from all over the world to participate in this.”
Keen runners are encouraged to register here to secure a spot on the start line.
It’s time to get training, folks – and you may as well start carb-loading now, too.