What is the Bridges Fun Run Perth?
The Bridges Fun Run Perth is a community running and walking event on the Swan River, run by volunteers from the West Australian Marathon Club (WAMC). It starts and finishes at Barrack Square in the city and takes you across some of Perth’s best-known bridges, with river and skyline views most of the way.
It’s one of Perth’s longest-running fun runs, and it’s built for everyone. You can race the 10km, jog or walk the 5km, or bring the kids for a 300m dash. Nobody is checking your pace.
Information checked October 2026. Dates, fees and times can change, so confirm on the official event page before you register.
Bridges Fun Run 2027: key facts
The next Bridges Fun Run is on Sunday 4 April 2027, according to the official WAMC event page. Here’s the short version:
- Date: Sunday 4 April 2027
- Start and finish: Barrack Square, Perth
- Distances: 10km, 5km and a 300m Kids Dash
- Start times: 10km at 8:20am, 5km at 8:35am, Kids Dash at 10:15am
- Organiser: West Australian Marathon Club (volunteer-run, not-for-profit)
- Charity partner: the Perron Institute, supporting youth mental health research
- Registrations close: Thursday 1 April 2027 at 12pm, unless it sells out first
How much does the Bridges Fun Run cost?
Entry is cheaper if you’re a WAMC member, and there are reduced prices for under-18s. These are the 2027 prices listed by WAMC:
| Distance | WAMC member | Non-member |
|---|---|---|
| 10km | $45 (under 18: $35) | $60 (under 18: $43) |
| 5km | $35 (under 18: $30) | $50 (under 18: $35) |
| 300m Kids Dash | Free | Free |
WAMC notes a late penalty for non-members closer to race day, so it pays to enter early. If you’re planning a few WAMC events across the year, it’s worth comparing the member and non-member prices before you sign up.
The course: which bridges do you cross?
The 10km is a loop of the Swan River. Runners cross the Narrows Bridge at the freeway end, follow the South Perth foreshore, then cross the Causeway at the East Perth end before heading back along the city side to the finish, as described by Go Running Tours. WAMC describes it as a course across “some of the city’s most iconic bridges” with views of the river and city skyline.
A few things to know about the route:
- It’s a riverside route. Most of it follows the foreshore paths, with the two bridge crossings in between.
- You’ll see the city from both sides. South Perth gives you the classic skyline view back across the water.
- The 5km is shorter, not harder. It’s a good first event if you’ve been doing parkrun or a social run club.
WAMC confirms the final course for each year closer to the date, so check the course map on the event page before race day.
Is the Bridges Fun Run good for beginners and walkers?
Yes. The Perron Institute describes it as an event for “people of all ages and abilities”, where you can choose “a relaxed walk along the scenic course or a more competitive run”. The 5km starts 15 minutes after the 10km, so the paths have room for everyone.
Event listings also note wave starts where you seed yourself into a marked group, plus a 10:30am cut-off. Pick the wave that matches your pace and you’ll be among people moving at your speed. If you’re worried about being last, the 5km gives you plenty of time.
Why it matters: the Perron Institute partnership
The event is sponsored by the Perron Institute and raises money for youth mental health research. The institute says proceeds help explore new treatments and therapies, noting that two in five young Australians are living with a mental health disorder.
For a lot of Perth runners, that’s part of the appeal. Running is already how many people look after their own headspace, and this is a simple way to do it for someone else too.
Getting to Barrack Square on race morning
Barrack Square sits on the river at the bottom of Barrack Street, beside Elizabeth Quay and the Bell Tower. According to the Bell Tower’s visitor guide:
- Train or bus: Elizabeth Quay Train Station and Busport is about 400m away, roughly a 10-minute walk.
- Free bus: the Blue CAT runs between Barrack Square and Northbridge.
- Driving: there’s limited paid parking on Riverside Drive and in Barrack Square, with larger car parks nearby at Terrace Road, the Concert Hall, the Convention Centre and Council House.
Check the Sunday timetable the night before. Road closures for the course can also affect parking near the river, so leave extra time if you’re driving.
Race-day logistics
Event listings for the 2027 race note a few practical details. Confirm these in your registration email, as they can change:
- No race-day entries. Online registration closes at noon on the Thursday before. There are no late entries on the day.
- Bib collection is before race day. If you’re coming from outside Perth, contact the organisers in advance to arrange collection on the morning.
- Electronic timing. Results are timed electronically by Bluechip Timing.
- Medals. Finishers in the 10km and 5km get a medal, and Kids Dash participants get one too.
- Presentations are held near the Bell Tower, including overall winners and under-16 placings.
How to prepare for the Bridges 10km or 5km
April is a nice time to run in Perth, but early autumn mornings can still be warm. Keep an eye on the Bureau of Meteorology Perth forecast in race week and plan your fluids around it.
If it’s your first 10km
- Give yourself 8-10 weeks if you can already run 5km comfortably.
- Run three times a week, and add a little distance to one run each week.
- Include some walking breaks. Run-walk is a perfectly good way to finish a 10km.
- Practise on the actual paths. The Swan River foreshore is great for training, and you’ll know what to expect on the day.
Race-morning basics
- Eat a familiar breakfast 2-3 hours before an 8:20am start. Nothing new on race day.
- Wear shoes and socks you’ve already run in.
- Bring sunscreen and a cap, even for an early start.
- Arrive 45 minutes early to find your wave, use the toilets and settle in.
Need kit? Our running shop has value-focused picks for caps, belts and hydration. If you get a niggle in your shins or knees during training, ease off and see a physio or GP rather than pushing through.
Train with a Perth run club
Training is easier with company. Plenty of Perth’s social run clubs meet along the river, at Kings Park and on the coast, and many are free with no sign-up. Browse our Perth run club directory to find a group near you. Check each club’s socials for current meeting times, and ask whether they’re planning a group entry for the Bridges.
For more race guides and training tips, head to our Perth runners’ guides and blogs.
Other WAMC events to put in your calendar
The West Australian Marathon Club was founded in 1970 and is run by volunteers. It has more than 1,000 members aged from 4 to 80-plus, so you’ll find every kind of runner and walker at its events, which run through most of the year. Coming up after this guide was written:
- Wally Cairns Pancake Run: 18 October 2026
- Fremantle Running Festival: 8 November 2026
- Applecross Shoreline Run: 22 November 2026
- City Beach Christmas Cup: 13 December 2026
Bridges Fun Run Perth FAQs
When is the Bridges Fun Run in 2027?
The Bridges Fun Run is on Sunday 4 April 2027, starting at Barrack Square in Perth. The 10km starts at 8:20am, the 5km at 8:35am and the Kids Dash at 10:15am.
How much does it cost to enter?
The 10km costs $45 for WAMC members and $60 for non-members. The 5km costs $35 for members and $50 for non-members, with cheaper under-18 prices. The 300m Kids Dash is free.
Can I walk the Bridges Fun Run?
Yes. Walkers are welcome in both the 5km and 10km. There’s a 10:30am cut-off, which gives 5km walkers close to two hours.
Which bridges does the Bridges Fun Run cross?
The 10km loop crosses the Narrows Bridge and the Causeway, with the South Perth foreshore in between. Check the official course map each year, as routes can be adjusted.
Can I enter on the day?
No. Online registration closes at 12pm on the Thursday before the race (1 April 2027), and there are no race-day entries. The event can sell out earlier.
Is there a kids’ race?
Yes. The 300m Kids Dash starts at 10:15am, is free to enter and finishers receive a medal.
Ready to cross the bridges?
The Bridges Fun Run is a relaxed, scenic way to tick off your first Perth event, or to see how your training is going. Register through the WAMC event page, then find a crew to train with in our Perth run club directory.