9-10 MAY 2026, MARGARET RIVER REGION, WA

Whether you run 80km SOLO, 42km SOLO, ~20km in a TEAM or tackle the tough-as-nails “GRAND SLAM” – you’ll quickly realise why runners dub The Margaret River Ultra “the best weekend of the year!”

OVERVIEW:

WHEN	9 – 10 May, 2026
WHAT	– 80KM ultra marathon solo or in a relay team (of 2 to 5 runners) – 42KM trail marathon solo – 2km kids race
WHERE	MARGARET RIVER REGION, WESTERN AUSTRALIA – 80KM ultra: Hamelin Bay > Howard Park – 42KM marathon: Yallingup > Howard Park – Kids race: Howard Park
WHO	Salt of the earth humans ranging from Australia’s most elite runners, to trail running newbies, to school groups, to 72 year old first-timers wanting to test their limits (true story). Everyone is welcomed with open arms!
ENTRY INFO	Entries for the 2026 event will open at 9:00am WST on Monday 13th October 2025. CLICK HERE for entry information and fees.
FIELD LIMITS	The event has the strict entry limits: 80KM ULTRA: 400 solo runners and 250 teams 42KM MARATHON: 400 solo runners

IMPORTANT: This will sell out quickly. In 2024, this event sold out in 27 hours. Last year, the teams category sold out in 32 minutes (and the solos not long after). If you’re planning on running, please be ready to click “enter” at 9am WST on 13th October.

“The scenery for the course is absolutely to die for! Everyone you meet on course is super friendly and there’s no better feeling than hearing the crowds cheering as you come into a checkpoint 🥰”

– Kris, 2025 runner

Dear runner, 

We have an admission…

Even though we run 12 events each year – and each one has a special place in our hearts – there’s something about the Margaret River Ultra that gets us fired up like nothing else on the calendar. 

• The buzz of 2,000+ endorphin-fuelled runners…
• The ruggedly stunning landscape of “down south” WA…
• The tales of triumph, tribulation and human kindness that filter back to us at the finish line…
• And the post-race PARTY at Howard Park Wines…

All of these ingredients mix together to make the Margaret River Ultra one, big, life-affirming celebration of nature and humanity. 

And while we’d love to take full credit for what this event has become… 

The truth is we’re just custodians of the race. 

The real magic gets created each and every year in the footsteps, the sweat, and the camaraderie of the people who run it (YOU). 

So…

If you’re a returning runner, THANK YOU for helping to make this event so special.

And, if you’re new here – WELCOME! We can’t wait to meet you and share your journey in 2026.

We’ve been hard at work, sifting through feedback, reviewing our notes and planning furiously to ensure the 2026 Margaret River Ultra is the BEST ONE YET. 

Here’s to new memories and new friends in 2026 at “the best weekend of the year”.

The (eternally grateful) Rapid Ascent Team

Here’s what last year’s runners had to say:

“Such a vibe at MRU. It has to be on the bucket list of any trail runner. Spectacular scenery, superb support, saucy sand😉.  An event that will continue to sell itself !!!”

– Sean, 2025 runner

“I started trail running two years ago at the age of 72 and thought (ultra runners) were really mad. I had a few falls but eventually came to love it. I did leg 5 last year over the rocks at Gracetown and loved it. Never in my wildest dream did I think I would be doing another marathon let alone an Ultra. But the crazy idea entered my head last year and I decided it was possible. I followed all the advice on nutrition and the free program for training provided on your website. The advice from Sam was really helpful. My goal was to enjoy and complete the course. I loved every minute of it and was jumping with joy as I crossed the finish line second last just minutes before 10:30pm. I am still on cloud 9 5 days later.”

– Eddie, 2025 80km Runner

“Margaret River Ultra by Rapid Ascent is, in my opinion, the pinnacle of trail events in Western Australia. Superbly organised by the most enthusiastic team, the event showcases the best of the west with the rugged beauty of the Cape to Cape Track and traversing through the famed wine region of the south west. If you are only ever inclined to run one trail ultra – whether solo or as a team -make it MRU. The variety of options for participants, including the 80km solo, teams relay, kids race, 42km marathon or the grand slam is truly the most inclusive offering for any event in Australia. Be warned though, enter once and I guarantee you’ll be back.“

– Sarah, 2025 Runner

“Trail run rookie here – I’ve only run a City to Surf once before. This event completely blew me away and may have made a trail run addict out of me. I was surpised and delighted just how continuous the endorphin doses were from the moment I signed up with team mates, all through training, on the drive down, watching the start, cheering on all the other competitors and my team mates, running my leg and crossing the finish line with my team….and now watching the highlights on YouTube and telling everyone I know about the day. Continuous froth for weeks and weeks. What an event, incredible scenery and brilliantly organised. Bravo”

– Stuart, 2025 runner

“What a day!!… the Margaret River Ultra Marathon 42 kms. The Cape to Cape trail is utterly stunning!!….Keep your eyes on the trail though, they are challenging and technical….Don’t stumble and graze your knees like I did…it makes scrambling up the rocks really difficult.  Have i mentioned sand?… think of the Simpson desert and you’d be close!..The checkpoints have got your back out there and so have the other runners…Get off the couch and get yourself out there in the middle of nature, there’s nothing else like it..except when you cross that glorious finish line!“

– Christine, 2025 42km runner

“I bloody love this event. It’s beautiful, it’s breathtaking, it’s brutal – most of all, it’s just fun. Sam and the team clearly love it, the race day vibe is amazing, Rob’s commentary at the finish line is great value. I’m a five-timer, and as a long as you keep putting it on, I’ll keep running it!“

– Yannick Spencer, 2025 runner

“An incredible race experience! The trails were absolutely stunning, and I enjoyed every second of it. I came with friends who were also running solo, and we turned it into a fantastic weekend getaway. This event has become a yearly tradition for us—can’t wait to come back!“

– Lucas, 2025 runner

“It was my first marathon. I knew it would be hard. But the mental negotiations you undertake and overrule as well as the time taken to spend in your own head is second to none. The accomplishment and feeling of doing this race is awesome!  80km here we come!“

– Ben, 2025 runner

“The race atmosphere among the supporters was electric. So much enthusiasm and support throughout the entire event. I could not believe their energy and am so thankful for the encouragement.” 

– Adam, 2025 runner

“Fantastic setup at the finish line, the course was extremely challenging and gave me a great sense of achievement once I had completed it due to the sheer difficulty”

– Brad, 2025 runner

“For a solo runner with no crew the support & organisation was amazing, from the vollies, drop bags, RA crew, recovery area, have no worries about coming alone.”

– Alison, 2025 runner

“The camaraderie on the trail was phenomenal. As a slower solo runner, the words of support from the team runners as they flew past was greatly appreciated!!”

– Jacqui, 2025 runner

“What an amazing race run by an amazing team. Some of the most incredible coastal trails I’ve ever run. Great way to complete the triple crown.”

– James, 2025 runner

“If you can find a more holistic trail ultra than MRU, sign up immediately, and in any case, run Margs at least once in your life.”

– Geoff, 2025 runner

“Brutal but stunning course, incredible atmosphere, and wonderful people. MRUM is a sure thing in my calendar every year.”

– Simon, 2025 runner

“MRUM is more than another ultra. It’s about making lifelong friends as you bond over the torture of unending sand.”

– Rachel, 2025 runner

“Absolutely brilliant piece of coastline. the weather turned it on. Even saw pods of dolphins surfing.”

– Roger, 2025 runner

“This is the race where the runner’s high begins before the race and lasts well into the days after“

– Maija, 2025 runner