WA Coastal Running Festival Wanneroo 2026: the quick version
The WA Coastal Running Festival heads to Lake Joondalup on Sunday 29 November 2026, with a 6km and a 12km solo run starting from Lake Joondalup Park (next to Rotary Park) in Wanneroo. Both distances are chip-timed, it’s an early start, and it’s a handy northern-suburbs option if you’ve been doing 5km parkruns and want to try something a bit longer.
Here’s everything we could confirm about the course, start times, entry costs and what to expect, plus a few tips for a late-November morning run around the lake.
Information checked October 2026.
Key facts at a glance
- Date: Sunday 29 November 2026 (event window 6am to 9.30am AWST)
- Where: Lake Joondalup Park (next to Rotary Park), 275 Scenic Drive, Wanneroo WA 6065
- Distances: 6km solo and 12km solo
- Start times: 12km at 6.30am, 6km at 6.35am
- Entry: 12km $65, 6km $45, plus a small processing fee
- Timing: both distances are fully chip-timed (timing by Runningworks)
- Age: entrants must be 12 or older
- Entries close: midday Friday 20 November 2026
- Register: WA Coastal Running Festival Wanneroo on Humanitix
What is the WA Coastal Running Festival?
The WA Coastal Running Festival is a series of small, timed community runs held at different coastal and lakeside spots around Perth’s northern suburbs. The Humanitix event page says it was founded by Sean McCrory of Rebel Fitness, and previous editions have included a June 2025 event at Burns Beach with 8km and 16km solo runs and partner relays.
The Wanneroo edition keeps it simple: two solo distances, one lakeside setting and an early finish, so you’re done before the day heats up.
Where is the course? Lake Joondalup and Yellagonga Regional Park
Lake Joondalup sits inside Yellagonga Regional Park, a 13km-long chain of lakes and wetlands about 20km north of the Perth CBD, managed by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. The park is roughly 30 minutes’ drive from the city and is named after Yellagonga, a Mooro leader, with strong cultural significance to the Nyoongar community.
The run starts at Lake Joondalup Park on Scenic Drive, on the Wanneroo side of the lake. At the time of writing, the organiser’s course maps for both distances were listed as “information to come”, so check the event page closer to race day for the exact route.
Sharing the path
The course uses a public shared path, so you’ll be running alongside walkers, other runners and cyclists. The organiser asks runners to keep left. Kids and dogs aren’t permitted to run with entrants.
6km or 12km: which distance should you choose?
Both distances start within five minutes of each other, so the choice is really about where you’re at right now.
| Distance | Start | Entry | Good fit if you… |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6km | 6.35am | $45 | run a comfortable 5km and want a small step up |
| 12km | 6.30am | $65 | regularly run 8-10km and want a timed 10km-plus effort |
If you’re unsure, pick the 6km. A good first event is one you finish smiling, and a 6km is a realistic jump from parkrun’s 5km. You can always come back for the 12km next time.
Will I be the slowest?
It’s the question nearly every new runner asks. Community runs like this attract a wide mix of paces, and the shared lakeside path means there are plenty of everyday walkers and joggers around you anyway. The event runs from 6am to 9.30am, which gives you a generous window to get round.
If you’re nervous, bring a friend, or come along to a social club run in the weeks before to build some confidence. Our Perth run club directory lists free, friendly groups across the city, including The Early Ones in Scarborough and Perth Run Collective at Trigg, both handy for northern-suburbs runners.
Running in late November: heat and sun tips
Perth Metro’s long-term average maximum for November is 26.6°C, according to the Bureau of Meteorology, and summer is close by the end of the month. A 6.30am start helps, but the sun is up and strong early.
- Sunscreen before you leave home. An SPF50+ sports sunscreen is worth it even at dawn. We’ve rounded up options in the sunscreen section of our shop.
- Cap and sunglasses. The lake reflects a lot of glare. See our running sunglasses guide.
- Drink before the start. Have water in the hour before you run and bring a bottle for afterwards. Check the event page for any drink stations on course.
- Check the forecast the night before on the BoM and adjust your pace on a warm morning.
For more on summer kit, our guide to running gear for Perth’s summer heat covers sun protection, hydration and lightweight clothing.
What to bring on the day
- Your race bib and chip (check your confirmation email for collection details)
- Comfortable, worn-in running shoes (race day isn’t the time for new ones)
- Sunscreen, cap and sunglasses
- A water bottle for before and after
- A light layer for the pre-dawn wait, if it’s cool
- Something to eat afterwards
Refunds and entry rules
According to the event page, refunds are only offered if the event sells out and there’s a waitlist to take your place. If the event is cancelled before race day, entry fees are refunded, minus Humanitix booking fees. Entrants under 18 need a parent or guardian to complete their entry and make sure they understand the waiver terms.
Frequently asked questions
When is the WA Coastal Running Festival Wanneroo 2026?
It’s on Sunday 29 November 2026. The 12km starts at 6.30am and the 6km at 6.35am, with the event running from 6am to 9.30am AWST.
How much does it cost to enter?
Entry is $65 for the 12km and $45 for the 6km, plus a small processing fee. Entries are through Humanitix and close at midday on Friday 20 November 2026.
Can I walk the WA Coastal Running Festival?
The event page doesn’t say walkers are excluded, and the finish window runs until 9.30am, but it doesn’t give a cut-off time either. If you plan to walk, email the organiser at info@wacrf.com.au to confirm before you enter.
Can kids or dogs take part?
Entrants must be 12 or older, and the organiser says kids and dogs aren’t permitted to run with you. Younger children can come along to watch from the park.
Where do I park?
The start is at Lake Joondalup Park, 275 Scenic Drive, Wanneroo. Parking details weren’t published at the time of writing, so check the event page or the WA Coastal Running Festival Facebook page in race week.
Ready to run around Lake Joondalup?
If a timed 6km or 12km on a lakeside path sounds like your next step, enter the WA Coastal Running Festival Wanneroo on Humanitix before entries close on 20 November. Then find a club to train with in our Perth run club directory, and pick up sunscreen and summer kit in the Perth Running Clubs shop.
For more events, see the Running Calendar listing or browse our runners’ guides and blogs.
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