There are marathons… and then there are races that take you somewhere unforgettable.
Set against one of Australia’s most dramatic coastal landscapes, the Kangaroo Island Run Festival is quickly carving out a reputation as one of the country’s most unique destination running events — where the challenge is matched only by the scenery.
Where the course meets the wild
Held within the raw beauty of Flinders Chase National Park, this is a run that feels worlds away from city streets.
Clifftop trails, rugged coastline and windswept wilderness define the course, with native wildlife often part of the experience. It’s not unusual to spot kangaroos, echidnas or seabirds as you move through the landscape.
In 2026, the event steps things up with the introduction of the KI50 — a 50-kilometre ultra challenge — joining the existing marathon, half marathon and 10km distances.
Each distance offers a different way to experience the island, from the full 42.2-kilometre marathon through the national park to shorter scenic routes that still deliver on views.
More than just a race
This is not a fly-in, run-out kind of event.
The Kangaroo Island Run Festival is designed as a complete travel experience, with tailored itineraries encouraging runners to stay, explore and connect with the destination. Visitors typically spend between three and ten days on the island, diving into its food scene, wildlife encounters and coastal adventures.
From pre-race calm to post-run celebrations, the atmosphere is as much about community as it is about competition.
Why destination running is on the rise
For many travellers, races like this offer something deeper than a finish line.
They create a reason to explore places that might otherwise sit off the radar — combining physical challenge with immersive travel. And in locations like Kangaroo Island, where the environment is as powerful as the experience itself, that connection runs even deeper.
This is running stripped back to its essentials: movement, landscape and a sense of place.
