The Brisbane River Ultra + Midnight Marathon is a unique endurance event taking place from Friday evening, May 8, to Saturday morning, May 9, 2026. Staged at the Queensland Maritime Museum in South Brisbane, the race utilizes a 5 km loop course along the scenic banks of the Brisbane River. The event is designed to be highly social and accessible, allowing runners to experience the city under the electric glow of the skyline. It features a range of formats from traditional distances to time-based challenges and large team relays, making it an ideal entry point for those new to ultra-running.
| Race Category | Distance / Format | Start Time | Time Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100KM Individual | 100 km (20 loops) | Fri 5:00 PM | 15 Hours |
| 15-Hour Individual | Run for time | Fri 5:00 PM | Sat 8:00 AM |
| Midnight Marathon | 42.2 km | Fri Midnight | Sat 8:00 AM |
| 100km Team Relay | Teams of 2–10 | Fri 5:00 PM | 15 Hours |
Brisbane is the capital of Queensland and the third-most populous city in Australia, with a metropolitan population of approximately 2.6 million residents. The city is known for its youthful and multicultural demographic; approximately 33% of its residents were born overseas, with the largest migrant groups coming from New Zealand, England, and China. According to recent census data, Indigenous Australians (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples) represent about 2.4% of Brisbane’s population. The median weekly household income in Brisbane is approximately $2,100 AUD. Geographically, the race is held in South Brisbane, a cultural hub characterized by its riverside promenades and the South Bank Parklands, providing a flat and fast paved surface for the looping course.
The event supports Dreams2Live4, a charity that grants dreams to adults living with metastatic cancer. Registration remains open, though price increases are scheduled to take effect five days from today. For marathon participants, the course begins with a 2.2 km out-and-back segment followed by eight 5 km loops. The "Midnight Marathon Mates Run" offers two variations: a "Run Together" format where both runners complete 21.1 km simultaneously, or a "Dual Relay" where they run consecutively. For technical information or charity partnership details, participants can contact the organizers through the official Run The River Events website or the Race Roster platform.
May 09, 2026
Distance — 100km
Type — Running
08:00
$199.00
May 09, 2026
Distance — 100km
Type — Running
08:00
$49.00
May 09, 2026
Distance — 100km
Type — Running
08:00
$79.00
May 09, 2026
Distance — 15 Hours
Type — Running
08:00
$179.00
May 09, 2026
Distance — 42km
Type — Running
08:00
$89.00
May 09, 2026
Distance — 42km
Type — Running
08:00
$89.00
May 09, 2026
Distance — 42km
Type — Running
08:00
$129.00
These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for May in South Brisbane.
Learn more about the host city, South Brisbane.
South Brisbane is an inner southern suburb in the City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, South Brisbane had a population of 14,292 people.
Read more launchWatch highlights and course previews from previous years.
Explore other exciting events happening in this same region.
location_on Enoggera Reservoir, Queensland, AU
calendar_today Apr 26, 2026
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