In the picturesque inner-city Albert Park precinct, the Lakeside:5 includes one lap – out and back from Lakeside Stadium to Junction Oval on Lakeside Drive. You’ll then finish inside Melbourne’s premier Athletics arena, Lakeside Stadium! The Lakeside:5 is the perfect opportunity for you to hit that 5km goal, run a quick time or simply enjoy the lake’s picturesque surroundings.
XCR
XCR’26 Round 2 – XC:Relays
Teams will take to Jells Park for the first Relay of the XCR Season.
Please Note: Athletes do not enter themselves into relay competitions. Clubs will enter and pay for team entries and select the athletes for their teams. Any questions regarding team selection should be made directly to your club.
XCR’26 Round 3 – XC:8
St Anne’s Bendigo offers sweeping landscapes of stunning views featuring picturesque wetlands, ancient River Red Gums and vineyards. This is a runner’s paradise. Why not make a weekend of it and bring the family?
XCR’26 Round 4 – XC:12
The 2026 Heritage Round is at Cruden Farm, hosting 5km, 7km and 12km distances. The grounds of Cruden Farm offer athletes a challenging course with a mixture of different terrains to accompany the beautiful areas encompassing the farm. This event is an excellent opportunity for clubs to showcase their history, and we encourage athletes to do so again in 2026.
XCR’26 Round 5 – R: Relays
Start your engines for the Thunderdome Road Relays! Grab your teammates and tear up the raceway in the second Relay event of the XCR’26 Calendar.
Please Note: Athletes do not enter themselves into relay competitions. Clubs will enter and pay for team entries and select the athletes for their teams. Any questions regarding team selection should be made directly to your club.
XCR’26 Round 6 – XC:10
Bundoora Park returns to the XCR season and hosts the selection trials for the Australian Cross Country Championships for the Open and U20 events once again.
The open and overage men’s and women’s race covers 10km of the grueling slopes of Bundoora Park. Juniors race over shorter distances as another round of the XCR season.
XCR’26 Round 7 – Lakeside:10
Welcome to what could be Australia’s flattest 10km road race, the Lakeside:10. In the picturesque inner-city Albert Park precinct, the Lakeside:10 includes two laps out and back from Lakeside Stadium to Junction Oval on Lakeside Drive. You’ll then finish inside Melbourne’s premier Athletics arena, Lakeside Stadium! The Lakeside:10 is the perfect opportunity for you to hit that 10km goal, run a quick time or simply enjoy the lake’s picturesque surroundings.
XCR’26 Round 8 – R:Half
The traditional stomping ground of XCR legend Steve Moneghetti, Lake Wendouree provides the backdrop for this fast-paced event, with Open completing 6km or Half Marathon courses and Juniors 6km. After the race, stay on and enjoy the best that Ballarat and the surrounding Goldfields offer, including the Eureka Centre, Sovereign Hill, the Gold Museum and the Botanic Gardens.
XCR’26 Round 9 – R:15
A level course along the banks of the Yarra River, the Burnley 4km and 15km is the perfect opportunity to challenge yourself and aim for a personal best or tune-up for a big spring and summer of fitness.
XCR’26 Round 10 – Tan: Relays
The XCR’26 season culminates back at the home of racing in Melbourne, The Tan. Athletes will complete one lap of the 3.8km circuit in the hope of bringing the XCR’26 premiership to their club.