The Athletics West summer season 2026 has started: here’s what’s coming up
The Athletics West summer season 2026 is under way, and the next few months are packed for Perth track athletes. Athletics West is the governing body for track and field, road and cross country running in Western Australia, and its 2026-27 summer calendar runs from October 2026 through to March 2027, mostly at the WA Athletics Stadium in Mt Claremont.
If you’ve only ever done parkrun or a Sunday social run, the track season can look a bit intimidating from the outside. It doesn’t need to be. Below you’ll find the key dates, what each event involves, who can enter and how to get started, without needing to be fast.
Information checked October 2026. Dates and entry details can change, so always confirm on the event page before you go.
Key dates at a glance
Here are the main summer events listed on the Athletics West events calendar and its 2026-27 State Championship Events page.
| Date | Event | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Sun 11 Oct 2026 | State Marathon Championship (Perth Marathon) | WA residents 18+ |
| Sun 18 Oct 2026 | Winter Cup Series #4: Pancake Run, Kings Park | Open to the public |
| Sat 24 Oct 2026 | WA Women’s Track Night | Women 15+, girls 12+ |
| 30 Oct to 1 Nov 2026 | WA All Schools Championships | WA school students aged 12-18 |
| 21-22 Nov 2026 | WA State Combined Event Championships | U12 to Senior and Masters |
| Sun 22 Nov 2026 | WA State Open 10,000m Championships | Members 16+ by 31 Dec 2026 |
| 12-13 Dec 2026 | WA State Relay Championships | U7 to Senior and Masters |
| 15-17 Jan 2027 | WA Country Championships, Bunbury | Regional members and others |
| 23 Jan 2027 | WA State 60m and State Open & U20 5,000m Championships | U13+ (60m), U20+ (5,000m) |
| 12 Feb 2027 | WA State 3,000m Championships | U15 to Open |
| 19-21 Feb 2027 | WA State Junior Championships | U13 to U18 |
| 6-7 Mar 2027 | WA State Senior Championships | Open and U20 members |
What is Strive, the weekly summer track competition?
Strive is Athletics West’s regular summer track and field series. According to the Strive program page, it runs from October to March at the WA Athletics Stadium, mostly on Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons. It’s the bread and butter of the track season: a chance to race regularly, chase personal bests and get a feel for competition without the pressure of a championship.
The rounds alternate between Program A and Program B, which offer different event mixes. The upcoming rounds listed on the events calendar are:
- Strive 2 (Program B): Sat 10 Oct 2026, 4pm-8:30pm
- Strive 3 (Program A): Fri 16 Oct 2026, 5:30pm-9:30pm
- Strive 4 (Program B): Fri 23 Oct 2026, 5:30pm-9:30pm
- Strive 5 (Program A): Fri 6 Nov 2026, 5:30pm-9:30pm
- Strive 6 (Program B): Sat 14 Nov 2026, 4pm-8:30pm
- Strive 7 (Program A): Sun 29 Nov 2026, 9am-1pm
To compete in Strive you need an eligible Junior, Senior or Masters membership, either through an Athletics West-affiliated club or as an independent member. The full season schedule is available as a PDF on the Strive page.
State championships: the big ones for 2026-27
State championships are where WA’s best compete for medals, but plenty of them are open to everyday club athletes too. Several have no qualifying standard at all.
2026 State Marathon Championship (Sunday 11 October)
The Perth Marathon, hosted by the Perth Running Festival, is the official State Marathon Championship this year. It runs from Burswood Park and finishes inside Optus Stadium. State championship medals go to the top three men and women who live in WA and are 18 or older.
All festival distances (4km, 10km, half and full marathon) are listed as sold out, with a waitlist open. If you missed out, it’s a great one to watch: a live stream is also planned.
WA State Open 10,000m Championships (Sunday 22 November)
This is the one to circle if you’re a road runner curious about the track. The State Open 10,000m event page says there’s no qualifying standard. You need to be 16 by 31 December 2026 and be a club or independent Athletics West member.
- Entries close: Sunday 8 November 2026, 11:59pm
- Late entries: 6pm Thursday 12 November to 12pm Friday 13 November, if places remain
- Shoes: must be on the World Athletics Shoe Compliance List
- Bib: pinned with four pins
Twenty-five laps sounds like a lot. In practice, plenty of runners find the track easier to pace than a hilly road course, and you always know exactly how far there is to go.
WA State Combined Events, Relays and Seniors
The Combined Event Championships (21-22 November) cover multi-event disciplines from U12 to Masters. The State Relay Championships follow on 12-13 December, and the season finishes with the State Senior Championships on 6-7 March 2027, open to Open and U20 members with no qualification standard required.
Distance championships in the new year
Middle and long-distance runners have two more chances early in 2027: the State Open & U20 5,000m Championships on 23 January and the State 3,000m Championships on 12 February. These suit runners who’ve built fitness over spring and want a target race in the hotter months, when long road races are thin on the ground.
WA Country Championships in Bunbury (15-17 January 2027)
Bunbury will host the 2027 Country Championships. This one is open to regional Athletics West members, non-members and athletes from metropolitan clubs and centres, so it’s worth a look if you fancy a summer weekend down south.
WA Women’s Track Night (Saturday 24 October)
The WA Women’s Track Night, presented by Rec Lab, is a women-only evening of racing at the WA Athletics Stadium. The event page describes it as a night for “runners of all abilities”, with five 5,000m races seeded by ability, plus a 1,000m junior girls race.
Entry includes electronic timing, a DJ, spot prizes and podium presentations. As of early October, the women’s 5,000m races are sold out with a waitlist, while junior 1,000m places were still available. Registrations close at 11:59pm on Monday 5 October 2026, so move quickly if you’re after a junior spot.
The UWAAC x WAMC Winter Cup Series: road meets track
One of the more interesting developments this year is the Winter Cup Series, a four-event series run jointly by the UWA Athletics Club (UWAAC) and the WA Marathon Club (WAMC). It mixes cross country, road racing and team relays, and it’s open to the public. You don’t need to be a member of any athletics club.
Round #3 was a 5km cross country at Lake Gwelup on 27 September. The final round is coming up:
- Event: Winter Cup Series #4, the Pancake Run
- When: Sunday 18 October 2026, 7:30am-9am
- Where: May Drive Parkland, Kings Park
- Format: 3 x 5km cross country relay
- Entries: through the WA Marathon Club website
Yes, there are pancakes afterwards. Mixed teams of four need two women and two men, and three-person relay teams can be any mix. Cash prizes go to the first male, female and mixed teams, according to the Pancake Run event page.
Why does this matter? Road and track running in Perth have often felt like separate worlds. A track club and a road running club teaming up gives social runners an easy, low-stakes way to try something closer to competition, and gives track athletes a reason to get out on the grass in winter.
How do you join Athletics West?
You’ll need Athletics West membership for Strive and most state championships. There are two main routes:
- Join an affiliated club. Your membership comes through the club, along with coaching, training groups and teammates. This is the most common path.
- Register as an independent member. Good if you train on your own or with a non-affiliated group but still want to race.
Athletics West uses an integrated model from Tiny Tots through to Masters. It also offers Senior Community and Training memberships, but note that these are not eligible for State or National competitions. Member registrations for the 2026-27 season opened on 1 September 2026. Fees and inclusions are published in PDFs on the Athletics West membership page, or you can call Athletics West on 08 6272 0480.
What about Masters athletes?
Masters Athletics WA runs its own summer program for older athletes. Its track and field page lists Tuesday meets at the WA Athletics Stadium from 6:30pm and Thursday meets at the Ern Clark Athletics Centre in Cannington from 6pm during summer, usually with four track races, a jump and two throws.
There’s a bigger goal on the horizon too. Perth will host the 2027 AMA National Track & Field Championships at Ern Clark Athletics Centre from 23 to 26 April 2027, for athletes aged 30 and over. A summer of local racing is perfect preparation.
Can you just train on the track?
You can. The WA Athletics Stadium on Stephenson Avenue, Mt Claremont, offers casual training entry. VenuesWest lists a single session at $9 for adults and $4.50 for seniors and students, with 10-visit passes available.
Casual hours are Monday to Thursday 3pm-7:30pm and weekends 8am-12pm. It’s closed on Fridays and public holidays, and hours can change around events. There are 193 car bays, and buses connect from Claremont train station.
Tips for your first track season
- Start with Strive. It’s regular, relaxed compared with a championship, and you’ll quickly learn how meets run.
- Pick one target. A 3,000m, 5,000m or 10,000m gives you a clear goal for summer.
- Check your shoes. Championship events require footwear on the World Athletics Shoe Compliance List. Ask your club before buying spikes.
- Plan for the heat. Perth summers are hot. Evening sessions help, but bring water, a cap and sunscreen, and arrive early to warm up in the shade.
Need a few basics before you start? Our running shop has hydration gear, caps and other summer essentials.
Not ready for the track yet? That’s completely fine. Our Perth run club directory lists free, friendly social groups across the city, and many members use those runs as a base before trying a race.
Frequently asked questions
When does the Athletics West summer season start?
The 2026-27 summer season runs from October 2026 to March 2027. Strive competition rounds began in October, and the season finishes with the State Senior Championships on 6-7 March 2027.
Do I need to be fast to compete in Strive?
No. Strive is a regular competition series for members of all abilities, and races are run in heats. Plenty of athletes use it simply to stay fit and enjoy racing with their club.
Where is the WA Athletics Stadium?
The WA Athletics Stadium is on Stephenson Avenue in Mt Claremont. It has 193 car bays and bus links from Claremont train station.
Can I run the State 10,000m Championships without a qualifying time?
Yes. The 2026 WA State Open 10,000m Championships has no qualification standard. You must be 16 by 31 December 2026 and hold club or independent Athletics West membership, and entries close on 8 November 2026.
Do I need to be a club member to run the Winter Cup Series?
No. The UWAAC x WAMC Winter Cup Series is open to the public, and you don’t need to belong to any athletics club. Entries for the final round, the Pancake Run on 18 October, are through the WA Marathon Club website.
How much does Athletics West membership cost?
Fees depend on age group and membership type, and they’re published on the Athletics West membership page. Your club may also add its own fee, so check with the club you plan to join.
Find your people for summer
The Athletics West summer season 2026 has something for every kind of runner, from a pancake relay in Kings Park to a state title on the track. Pick a date, find a club and give it a go. Browse our Perth run club directory to find a group near you, and read more event guides on the Perth Running Clubs blog.
Perth Running Clubs may earn a commission from purchases made through links on this page.