What is the West Australian Marathon Club?
The West Australian Marathon Club (WAMC) is a not-for-profit, volunteer-run running club based at the Burswood Water Sports Centre, on the Swan River in Perth. It was founded in 1970 and describes itself as WA’s largest running club, with more than 1,000 members aged from four to over eighty.
Don’t let the name put you off. You don’t need to run marathons, or be fast, to join. WAMC runs events from 300m kids’ dashes and 4km fun runs up to half and full marathons, plus free weekly training sessions. Its own motto is “a club for runners, by runners”.
This guide covers what membership costs, what you get for it, the weekly sessions, the 2026-27 race calendar and how to join.
Information checked October 2026. Prices, times and dates come from the WAMC website and can change, so check before you go.
West Australian Marathon Club at a glance
- Founded: 1970
- Members: 1,000+, aged from four to over eighty
- Clubrooms: Burswood Water Sports Centre, 1 Camfield Drive, Burswood WA 6100
- Office hours: Tuesday to Friday, 9am to 2pm
- Phone: (08) 9472 4833
- Adult membership: $75 a year (2026)
- Run by: volunteers (apart from office staff), with a committee that meets monthly
- Website: wamc.org.au
Who is WAMC for?
WAMC suits a wider range of runners than its name suggests. The club says its members are a mix of competitive and casual runners, and its calendar reflects that: plenty of 4km and 5km options sit alongside the half marathons.
It’s a good fit if you:
- Want regular, low-cost races around Perth without paying big-event prices every time
- Like a bit of structure, such as a time trial or interval session with a coach
- Have a family who might enjoy a 300m kids’ dash while you run
- Are new to Perth and want a ready-made running calendar and people to train with
- Enjoy giving back, as volunteering is part of the deal
If you’re after a purely social run with coffee and no race bibs, a smaller social club may suit you better. Many Perth runners do both. Our Perth run club directory lists free, friendly social clubs across the city.
How much does WAMC membership cost?
These are the 2026 membership fees listed on the WAMC join page:
| Membership type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | $75 |
| Youth (under 18) | $40 |
| Senior (65+) | $40 |
| Family (up to 2 adults and 4 children) | $145 |
New members receive a welcome pack with a cloth membership bib, a welcome letter and a WAMC timing chip.
WAMC membership benefits: what do you get?
The biggest saving is on race entry. Members get reduced entry to WAMC races and seminars, and free entry to designated club runs. The club lists 10 of these free member runs for 2026.
Here’s how that plays out at two upcoming events, using the fees on the WAMC event pages:
| Event | Members | Non-member adults |
|---|---|---|
| Wally Cairns Pancake Run, 15km solo | $15 | $30 |
| Matilda Bay Run, 10km | Free | $30 |
| Matilda Bay Run, 4km | Free | $25 |
Run a handful of club races a year and the adult membership can pay for itself. Other benefits listed by the club include:
- A free Wednesday night social run
- VIP benefits for the Perth Running Festival
- 15% off at Running Warehouse Australia
- 30% off at P A Sports and Leisure
- 20% off initial dietitian consultations at SportsMed Subiaco
- Eligibility for the annual Club Championship trophies
- Invitations to seminars and a quarterly newsletter
- An online account to manage your details and race history
The volunteering commitment
WAMC events are run almost entirely by members. All marshals and race officials come from the membership, so members are asked to nominate two events a year to volunteer at. Members living more than 100km from Perth are exempt.
Roles range from registration and drink stations to photography and course marshalling, and the club notes that some roles, such as set-up, pack-up, tail runner and registration, still let you run on the day. Volunteers get a pack explaining their role, time required and other details (lollies included). The WAMC volunteer page has the full list.
WAMC training sessions in Perth
WAMC runs a weekly training program, listed on the WAMC training page as free, and says its sessions cater for all ability levels.
| Day and time | Session | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, 6pm | 8km time trial | Point Walter, to the right of Walters River Cafe |
| Tuesday, 5:30pm | 4.8km interval session | Alderbury St Reserve, Perry Lakes |
| Wednesday, 5:30pm | 6km+ social run | WAMC clubrooms, Burswood |
| Thursday, 6pm | 8-10km group trail run (hosted by Perth Trail Series) | Kings Park, out the front of Aspects |
The Tuesday intervals are coached by Peter Grose, who is certified by Athletics Australia. The club also lists a Northern Suburbs Running Group in Joondalup offering 5km to 15km sessions.
The Wednesday social run from the clubrooms is the easiest way in, and a good chance to meet members who can tell you which races suit beginners. If you’re not a member yet, call the office first to check whether you can try a session.
Will I be the slowest?
Possibly, and that’s fine. Most WAMC events have a shorter option, and tail runner is one of the club’s listed volunteer roles. The membership ranges from four-year-olds to runners over eighty, so it’s not just for elite athletes.
West Australian Marathon Club events: the 2026-27 calendar
WAMC runs one of the busiest race calendars in Perth. Most events are on Sunday mornings, with early starts to beat the heat. Here are the remaining 2026 events from the WAMC programme:
| Date | Event | Distances | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun 18 Oct 2026 | Wally Cairns Pancake Run | 15km (solo or relay), 10km, 5km, 300m | May Drive Parkland, Kings Park |
| Fri 23 Oct 2026 | John Gilmour Track Race (members run free) | 10km | Coker Park, Cannington |
| Sun 8 Nov 2026 | Revo Fitness Fremantle Running Festival | 21.1km (solo or relay), 10km, 5km, 300m | Fremantle Oval |
| Sun 22 Nov 2026 | McNally Applecross Shoreline Run | 15km, 7.5km, 3km | Tompkins Park, Applecross |
| Sun 13 Dec 2026 | Founders City Beach Christmas Cup | 8km, 4km | Challenger Parade, City Beach |
| Sat 26 Dec 2026 | Parlouf Relay (members run free) | 5km | Perry Lakes Hockey Club |
The Wally Cairns Pancake Run is a nice first club race. It’s a lapped 5km course on grass and sand, so you choose one, two or three laps. The club warns it’s “not a flat course”, but there are free pancakes and fruit at the finish. Members pay $10 for the 5km and 10km and $15 for the 15km; non-member adults pay $25 for the 5km and $30 for the 15km. The 300m kids’ dash starts at 7:15am and the main races at 7:30am.
Early 2027 highlights
- Matilda Bay Run, Sunday 17 January: 10km and 4km, free for members
- John Forrest Trail Run, 7 February: 13km and 4.3km in the hills at Hovea
- Point Walter Run, 21 February: 16km and 5km, free for members
- Peninsula Twilight Run, 1 March: 10km and 5km from the clubrooms, 5pm start
- Darlington Half Marathon and 8km, 21 March
- Perron Institute Bridges Fun Run, 4 April: 10km, 5km and 300m from Barrack Square
- Rockingham Coastal Classic, 18 April
- Joondalup Running Festival, 16 May: 21.1km, 10km, 5km and 300m
The WAMC Half Marathon Grand Slam
If you’re working towards longer distances, WAMC awards a Grand Slam medal to anyone who runs all four of its half marathons in a calendar year: Darlington, Joondalup, Perth and Fremantle. It’s a good year-long goal that spreads the training out.
What about the Perth Marathon?
The 47th Perth Marathon is part of the Perth Running Festival on Sunday 11 October 2026, finishing inside Optus Stadium. WAMC lists it as its marquee event and is a partner of the festival. All distances (marathon, half, 10km and 4km) were sold out when we checked, with a waitlist open. WAMC lists VIP benefits for the festival among its member perks; check with the club for details.
How to join the WA Marathon Club
- Go to the WAMC membership page and pick your membership type.
- Fill in the online application form and pay the fee.
- Nominate your two volunteer events.
- Collect your welcome pack with your bib and timing chip.
- Turn up to a Wednesday social run or your first club race.
You don’t have to join to race. WAMC’s club runs are open to everyone, and the programme notes that most club runs (other than special events) take registrations on the day. Late entries for non-members can attract a penalty fee, so register online where you can. Running one or two events as a non-member is a good way to see if the club suits you.
Tips for your first WAMC race
- Get there early. Allow time for parking, bib collection and a toilet stop. Most races start between 7am and 7:30am.
- Plan for the heat. Perth summers get hot quickly, even early. Drink water beforehand, wear a cap and sunscreen, and slow down on warm mornings.
- Eat something light. A small, familiar snack an hour or two before an early start is plenty for most people over 4km to 10km.
- Pick the shorter option first. Most events have a shorter distance. You can step up next time.
- Check the course. Kings Park and John Forrest include hills and trails; Matilda Bay and City Beach are flatter.
If you’re kitting out for your first races, our running shop has caps, hydration gear and other everyday essentials for Perth conditions.
FAQs about the West Australian Marathon Club
Do I need to be a member to run a WAMC race?
No. WAMC club runs are open to non-members, who pay a higher entry fee. Members get reduced or free entry depending on the event.
How much is WAMC membership?
For 2026, adult membership is $75, youth (under 18) and senior (65+) memberships are $40, and family membership (up to two adults and four children) is $145.
Is WAMC suitable for beginners and walkers?
Yes. The club says its training caters for all ability levels, and most events include a short option of 3km to 5km. Members range in age from four to over eighty, and many are casual runners.
Where does the West Australian Marathon Club meet?
The clubrooms are at the Burswood Water Sports Centre, 1 Camfield Drive, Burswood. The Wednesday 5:30pm social run starts there; other sessions are at Point Walter, Perry Lakes and Kings Park.
Do WAMC members have to volunteer?
Yes. Members are asked to nominate two events a year to volunteer at, unless they live more than 100km from Perth. Some volunteer roles still let you run on the day.
Does WAMC organise the Perth Marathon?
WAMC lists the 47th Perth Marathon as its marquee event, held as part of the Perth Running Festival on 11 October 2026. The festival lists WAMC as a partner organisation alongside Athletics WA.
Find your running club in Perth
The West Australian Marathon Club is a solid choice if you want cheap, regular races, structured training and a big, long-established community. If you want something more social first, there’s no rule against doing both.
Browse our Perth run clubs directory to compare free social groups near you, or read more runner’s guides on events, training and gear. For broader encouragement, LiveLighter’s guide to free walking and running clubs in Perth is also worth a look.