Ultra Perth race guide: the essentials for 2027
Ultra Perth is an annual road ultramarathon run along the Swan and Canning rivers in Perth, Western Australia. This Ultra Perth race guide covers the 50K course, the 2027 date, cut-offs, aid stations, getting to the start and how to prepare. If you’re more interested in the half or the 10K, most of it applies to you too.
The next edition is on Saturday 26 June 2027, with the event village at Site 6, Sir James Mitchell Park in South Perth. Entries are open through the official Ultra Perth website.
Information checked October 2026. Details can change between editions, so check the race manual before race week.
Ultra Perth 2027 at a glance
- Date: Saturday 26 June 2027
- Event village and finish: Site 6, Sir James Mitchell Park, South Perth
- 50K start: Garrett Road Bridge Park, Bayswater
- Distances: 50K solo, 50K relay, 21.1K half marathon, 10K
- Course: flat, AIMS-certified road course on riverside paths
- 50K time limit: 9 hours (finish line closes at 4pm)
- Organiser: Ultra Series
Why is Ultra Perth called one of the fastest 50Ks?
The organisers describe Ultra Perth as “one of the fastest certified 50K road courses in the Southern Hemisphere”. There are a few reasons it earns that reputation.
- It’s certified. The course is measured and certified by AIMS (the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races), so times count and the distance is accurate.
- It’s flat. The 50K has about 346m of total climbing across the whole route, most of it from bridges and ramps.
- There are no road crossings. The route uses wide shared paths, so you won’t be stopping at traffic lights.
- It’s run in winter. A late-June morning in Perth is usually cool, which suits running long.
The 2026 race on 20 June showed what’s possible. According to the AUTRA race report, Joel Gray won the men’s 50K in 3:10:44 and Nera Jareb won the women’s race in 3:18:24. A total of 196 runners finished the 50K.
Fast doesn’t mean you need to be fast, though. Most finishers are there for the experience, and a 9-hour limit gives plenty of room for run-walk strategies.
The Ultra Perth 50km course
The 50K is a point-to-point course that finishes back at the South Perth foreshore. According to the organisers, the route runs from Bayswater to East Perth, over the Matagarup Bridge and the Causeway, past Elizabeth Quay and on to Nedlands, then back through the Narrows to Deep Water Point before finishing at South Perth.
You’ll pass under or over several of Perth’s best-known river landmarks along the way, including the Boorloo Bridge, Elizabeth Quay and the Narrows. The finish has the city skyline across the water behind it.
An interactive map and GPX file are available on the Ultra Perth 50K page. Loading the GPX onto your watch, or running sections of it in training, is one of the easiest ways to take the unknowns out of race day.
Ultra Perth distances compared
| Distance | Elevation gain | Time limit |
|---|---|---|
| 50K solo | +346m | 9 hours |
| 50K relay | +346m | 9 hours |
| 21.1K half marathon | +132m | 8 hours 20 minutes |
| 10K | +41m | 7 hours |
The relay is a good option if you’d like a taste of the 50K atmosphere without running the full distance. Check the entry page for current team sizes.
Start times, cut-offs and the shuttle bus
For 2027, the 50K starts at 7:00am AWST in Bayswater, with elites going first and wave starts at 7:03am and 7:06am. Because the start is across town from the finish, there’s an optional shuttle bus from the event village to the 50K start line. It costs $10 and leaves at 6:15am sharp.
The published cut-offs are:
- The Narrows (second pass): 11:30am, all distances
- Deep Water: 1:30pm, 50K only
- Finish: 4:00pm
The 9-hour limit works out at an average of about 10:48 per kilometre. That’s comfortable for most run-walkers, but keep the intermediate cut-offs in mind and plan your pacing around them, not just the finish.
Check-in is available early on Friday 25 June from 4pm to 7pm, or on race morning in staggered windows by distance. Early check-in means one less thing to think about at 5am.
Aid stations, drop bags and pacers
The course has five full-service aid stations and three hydration-only stations. The full-service stations stock water, Coke, Tailwind, crisps, lollies and in-season fruit.
If you plan to use the on-course sports drink, practise with Tailwind in training so your stomach knows what’s coming. If you prefer your own gels or chews, carry them.
- Drop bags: allowed for all 50K runners and 21K elite runners, and available at all aid stations. Bags can be collected until 4pm on the Sunday.
- Pacers: official pacers run target times from 4:00 to 6:30 hours in the 50K, 1:30 to 2:30 hours in the 21K and 40 minutes to 1:20 in the 10K.
- Crew: support crews can only help their runners at the designated transition and aid stations. Outside help anywhere else on the course isn’t allowed.
Ultra Perth entry: who can enter?
Entries are handled through EventPlus, linked from the Ultra Perth website. Prices can change as race day gets closer, so check the entry page for the current fee before you commit.
- 50K: you must be at least 18.
- Half marathon and relay team runners: you must be at least 12.
- Refunds: entries aren’t refundable, but you can transfer your entry through the Ultra Perth Buy/Sell Group at the original purchase price.
What’s the weather like for Ultra Perth?
Late June is early winter in Perth. The Bureau of Meteorology’s Perth Metro statistics show a June average maximum of 19.5°C and an average minimum of 8.7°C, with about 127mm of rain across the month.
In practice, that means a cold start in Bayswater and a mild finish. A few tips:
- Wear an old layer to the start that you’re happy to leave behind, or put it in a drop bag.
- Pack a light rain jacket if showers are forecast. Wet and windy stretches along the river can feel colder than the thermometer says.
- Use anti-chafe on everything that rubs. Fifty kilometres in damp kit finds every seam.
- Check the forecast in race week and adjust your plan.
How to prepare for your first road 50K
If Ultra Perth would be your first ultra, the good news is that a flat road 50K is one of the friendliest ways to step up from the marathon. It’s only 7.8km further, there’s no technical trail, and the river paths are easy to train on.
Build your long runs gradually
Give yourself time. Most people stepping up to 50K have a marathon or several solid half marathons behind them. Increase your long run slowly over the months before June, and include some back-to-back weekend runs so your legs learn to keep going when tired. If you develop a niggle in your shins, knees or hips, see a physio or GP before it becomes an injury.
Practise your fuelling
Running for four to nine hours means eating and drinking on the move. Use your long runs to work out what you can stomach and how often. A common approach is to take in fuel little and often from early in the race, not when you start to feel flat. A sports dietitian can help you build a plan if you’re unsure.
Test your gear
Race in shoes and socks you’ve already run long in. A hydration belt or a light vest with soft flasks makes it easier to carry your own fuel between aid stations. You’ll find running belts, soft flasks and other gear in the Perth Running Clubs shop.
Train with company
Long runs are easier with people around you. Several Perth run clubs meet along the Swan River and in South Perth, and you can browse them in our Perth run club directory. Check each club’s socials for current meeting times.
Getting to the Ultra Perth village and where to stay
Sir James Mitchell Park sits on the South Perth foreshore, across the water from the CBD. You can reach it by car via the Narrows Bridge or the Causeway, by ride-share, or on foot across the bridges from the city. Parking is available nearby, but arrive early.
The South Perth ferry runs from Elizabeth Quay, but the organisers noted it didn’t start until 7:30am on race-day Saturday in 2026. That’s useful for spectators, but too late for 50K runners catching the 6:15am shuttle. Check timetables on the Transperth Journey Planner closer to the date.
Travelling from interstate or regional WA? The organisers say the village is about a 20-minute drive from Perth Airport, and the Airport Line train runs into the city. South Perth and the CBD both have plenty of accommodation within easy reach of the foreshore.
Where can you watch Ultra Perth?
Ultra Perth has six cheer zones for crews, family and friends:
- Matagarup Transition Station
- The Narrows Transition Station
- Nedlands Transition Station
- Preston Street Transition Station
- Deep Water Transition Station
- The finish line cheer zone at South Perth
Map pins for each are on the organiser’s crew and spectators page. If you’re crewing, remember you can only help your runner at these designated stations.
Ultra Perth FAQs
When is Ultra Perth 2027?
Ultra Perth 2027 is on Saturday 26 June 2027. The event village and finish are at Site 6, Sir James Mitchell Park in South Perth, and the 50K starts in Bayswater.
Is Ultra Perth a trail race?
No. Ultra Perth is a road ultramarathon on sealed riverside paths along the Swan and Canning rivers. The 50K has about 346m of total elevation gain and no road crossings.
How long do you have to finish the Ultra Perth 50K?
The 50K has a 9-hour time limit, with the finish closing at 4pm. There are also intermediate cut-offs at the Narrows (11:30am, second pass) and Deep Water (1:30pm), so plan your pacing around those too.
Can beginners run Ultra Perth?
Yes, with enough preparation. The 50K suits runners who already have a marathon or solid half marathons behind them. If you’re newer to running, the 10K, the half or a relay team are good ways to be part of the day.
Can you walk Ultra Perth?
The generous time limits make run-walking realistic for the 50K, and the shorter distances have long time limits too. Keep an eye on the intermediate cut-offs and check the race manual for any rules that apply to your distance.
How old do you need to be to run Ultra Perth?
You must be at least 18 to run the 50K. Half marathon and relay team runners must be at least 12.
Ready to start your Ultra Perth build?
June comes around quickly, and a 50K rewards months of steady training. Find a club to share your long runs in our Perth run club directory, sort your belt, flasks and anti-chafe in the Perth Running Clubs shop, and read more race and training guides on the Perth Running Clubs blog. Then lock in your spot on the Ultra Perth website.