Event Overview
The 3 Bays Running Festival is held in Portland, Victoria across 31 October–1 November 2026. The weekend combines a 60km trail ultra on Saturday with Sunday road races including the 42.2km marathon, 21.1km half marathon and 10.5km quarter marathon, plus marathon relays. A “Hybrid Fool” option is also listed for athletes who complete the 60km on Saturday and return to run the marathon on Sunday. The event is organised by Portland Runners Club.
What the Course Demands
Across the program, the festival blends long sustained running with sections that require controlled pacing. The 60km ultra is listed at 1300m of elevation gain and includes multiple checkpoints and cut-offs. The marathon course is described as gently undulating overall with two major climbs (“the Dipper” and “the Shuffler”) and an extended flat straight section late in the race that can test rhythm and focus.
Who This Event Suits Best
This event suits runners who want a clear choice of distance within the same weekend, from a 10.5km step-up through to marathon and ultra. The quarter marathon is presented as approachable for runners progressing from shorter events, while the half and marathon will suit athletes comfortable managing climbs and longer sustained efforts. The relay formats fit runners who prefer sharing the full marathon distance across a team.
