The race is based in the town of "South-West Rocks" which is on the East-Coast of Australia, about mid-way between Sydney and Brisbane, and about 70km North of Port Macquarie(Which is the home of the 'Australian Ironman Triathlon') and about 70km South of Coff's Harbour.

By car, the following driving times are applicable:

From Sydney: 5 to 6 hours

From Newcastle: 3+hours

From Brisbane: 5 to 6 Hours

From The Gold Coast 4.5 to 5.5 Hours.

From Sydney, both Qantas and Virgin have services into Port Macquarie.

All 3 domestic Airlines have services into Newcastle.

Regional Airline(Brinadella Airlines), service both Port Macquarie and Coff's Harbour from Canberra, Newcastle and Brisbane.

The airlines webpages are:

QANTAS

Virgin Blue

Jetstar

Brindabella

South West Rocks is a very small town(pop: 1,500), and most accommodation is within a 5 min drive of the race start, which is about 2km out of town at the "Old Goal/Light House precinct. If you are camping, then the start/finish is actually adjacent to the camping ground.

More information is available by clicking here.

The course is an 'out and back course', with the 1st quarter(and last quarter) of the course through the town area, which has some undulations. The last 1km will also get your attention, as it is uphill0-but not toobad.

Beyond where the Half Marathoners turn(The Half Marathon is also on an out and back course), the course is flat, and follows the Macleay River through agricultural land. Somedays it can be windy, but most times its 'just a pleasant run in the country'

There is generally no official pre or post race functions, but as always, things can change, so please double check this with the official webpage.

As with most Australian Marathons, there are "Associated Races", and Soth West Rocks is no exception.

On raceday, you have the option of running either the Marathon, Half Marathon or 10km.

The Half Marathon is on the same course as the Marathon, but turns at the appropiate point.(As does the 10km)

In 2008, the Marathon had 92 Finishers(Slowest: 7+ Hours)

I've only run this race once(2007), and found the course scenic, and like all Australian country towns, you get that special 'country hospitality', where ever you go.

Several community groups and local business's help make this race the success it is.

The South West Rocks weather can be found by clicking here

Again, I have resisted the temptation to indicate the degree of difficultly of the course, because as with beauty, its "in the eye of the beholder", but I found the course, reasonably flat, but not very challenging, but the uphill run to the finish(inside the last km), will get your attention"

The following video is a youtube 'Tourist' video, gives an over view of Sout West Rocks and its surrounds.

This race is always held on the Sunday of the Holiday Weekend in June. Therefore, in the future it should be held on the following dates:

2011: Sunday 12th June

2012: Sunday 11th June