WELCOME
Welcome to Portland NSW, the home of the ANT Fitness Born To Run Festival.
Whether you have travelled from near or far, I thank you for supporting our small town trail running festival.
At Born To Run, our aim is to provide a trail running experience that is inviting to all, whether you are a seasoned professional, new to running or somewhere in between.
We want to create a family friendly event, where you feel part of our small community, whilst showcasing an important part of Portland's history - the old Portland Cement Works site.
I wish you all the best for your race on Saturday, 3rd October, and again thank you for supporting the Born To Run Festival.
Enjoy The Run,
Andrew Neville
Born To Run Festival
Race Director / Founder
THANK YOU
The Born To Run Festival is offered through ANT Fitness, a small family owned business, that has been offering fitness and health services to Portland and surrounding communities for over 21 years.
In 2024, Andrew, the owner and sole operator of ANT Fitness, realised that he couldn't continue to grow the Born To Run Festival and offer a highly professional experience on his own.
He reached out to local businesses for support and sponsorship, and was overwhelmed with the response, which has continued every year since.
A big thank you to sponsors past and present, that has enabled Born To Run Festival to become what it is today.
Please support our sponsors where and when you are able. Without them, we would not be able to offer the opportunity for you to be able to run the trails in Portland NSW.
GOLD sponsor
silver sponsors
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bronze sponsors
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EVENT SUPPORTER
RACE DAY SCHEDULE
3rd October 2026
6am Half Marathon Bib Collection Opens
6:30am 10k / 5k / 2k Kids Bib Collection Opens
6:50am Half Marathon Pre-Race Briefing
7am Williams Waste Half Marathon START
9:05am 10km Pre-Race Briefing
9:15am Bowyer & Livermore 10km Race START
10:00am Half Marathon PRESENTATION
10:20am 5km Pre-Race Briefing
10:30am Health & Fitness Supplies Australia 5km Race START
10:45am 10km PRESENTATION
11:20am 5k & Trail Boss Presentation
11:25am 2k Kids Pre-Race Briefing
11:30am Wallerawang Community & Sports Club
2k Kids Race START
12:05pm 2k Kids PRESENTATION
12:30pm Event Closes
Williams Waste
Half Marathon
IMPORTANT TIMES
- 6am Bib Collection Opens in the Portland RSL Event Village in front of the Silos at The Foundations
- 6:50am Pre-race Briefing
- 7am Half Marathon Start
- 8:55am First Finisher expected
- 10am Half Marathon Presentation
IMPORTANT INFO
- Half Marathoners will be wearing Blue Bibs
- Half Marathoners will be following the blue ribbons around the course
- The Half Marathon involves 2 laps of the 10km course, and a little bit more
- Checkpoints:
There will be Gatorade and Water available at the Checkpoints 3 and 6 (2.7km / 4.8km / 6km / 7.2km / 13.1km / 15.2km / 16.4km / 17.6km)
- After the Finish Line: Head into the Family 4 Physiotherapy Recovery Zone to collect your free bottle of Gatorade and water, plus a selection of fruit. There is room for stretching or just simply sitting and reflecting on your achievement.
Recommended Gear
The following items are recommended not mandatory:
Snake Bandage
500ml Water
1 Energy Gel or Solid Food
Bowyer & Livermore
10km Race
IMPORTANT TIMES
- 6:30am Bib Collection Opens in the Portland RSL Event Village in front of the Silos at The Foundations
- 9:05am Pre-race Briefing
- 9:15am 10km Start
- 10:05am First Finisher expected
- 10:45am 10km Presentation
IMPORTANT INFO
- 10km Participants will be wearing Yellow Bibs
- 10km Participants will be following the yellow ribbons around the course
- Checkpoints:
There will be Gatorade and Water available at the Checkpoints 3 and 6 (2.7km / 4.8km / 6km / 7.2km)
- After the Finish Line: Head into the Family 4 Physiotherapy Recovery Zone to collect your free bottle of Gatorade and water, plus a selection of fruit. There is room for stretching or just simply sitting and reflecting on your achievement.
Recommended Gear
The following items are recommended not mandatory:
Snake Bandage
500ml Water
Health & Fitness Supplies australia
5km Race
IMPORTANT TIMES
- 6:30am Bib Collection Opens in the Portland RSL Event Village in front of the Silos at The Foundations
- 10:20am Pre-race Briefing
- 10:30am 5km Start
- 10:55am First Finisher expected
- 11:20am 5km Presentation
IMPORTANT INFO
- 5km Participants will be wearing Pink Bibs
- 5km Participants will be following the pink ribbons around the course
- Checkpoints:
There will be Gatorade and Water available at the Checkpoint 3 (1.5km)
- After the Finish Line: Head into the Family 4 Physiotherapy Recovery Zone to collect your free bottle of Gatorade and water, plus a selection of fruit. There is room for stretching or just simply sitting and reflecting on your achievement.
Recommended Gear:
The following item is recommended not mandatory:
Snake Bandage
Wallerawang community
& sports club
2km Kids race
IMPORTANT TIMES
- 6:30am Bib Collection Opens in the Portland RSL Event Village in front of the Silos at The Foundations
- 11:25am Pre-race Briefing
- 11:30am 2km Kids Start
- 11:40am First Finisher expected
- 12:05am 2km Kids Presentation
IMPORTANT INFO
- Children in the 2km race will be wearing Orange Bibs
- 2km Participants will be following the orange ribbons around the course
- Parents are invited to run with their children if they wish (no registration or bib is required)
- No prams are allowed on the course due to our insurance conditions
- After the Finish Line: Head into the Family 4 Physiotherapy Recovery Zone to collect your free bottle of water, plus a selection of fruit. There is room for stretching or just simply sitting and telling your family how much fun you had.
RESULTS
In 2026, we are grateful to be employing the services of Skywalker Creative to manage the timing of each of our races.
This has been made possible through the support of our sponsors.
We thank Luke and the Skywalker Creative team for providing their Timing Services for our day.
Results will be available online shortly after the event.
There will be a QR Code on the back of your bib that will also give you access to the results page.
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Pictured: Our unique Bottle Kilns Trophies designed and created by one of our sponsors - Valley Concrete Art.
MOre Important information
GEtting here
Great Western Highway Closure:
For travellers coming from the east, please allow extra travel time due to the closure of the Great Western Highway at Mount Victoria, and the detours in place.
Please check www.livetraffic.com for traffic updates.
Location:
The Born To Run Festival is held at The Foundations, Portland NSW.
Address: 36 Williwa Street.
When you come into Portland, follow the wayfaring signs for the Born To Run Festival.
Parking: There is on-site parking in the Silo Precinct of The Foundations, as well as ample street parking.
Safety & Medical
EVENT FIRST AID:
The First Aid will be located in the Event Village.
Please notify the First Aid Officer on duty if any first aid is needed.
Location:
ON COURSE SAFETY :
There will be a roaming golf buggy on the course if any assistance is required by participants.
There are 9 checkpoints with each having access to first aid supplies, emergency water and phone contact with our 2 Race Directors back in the Event Village.
If you see a fellow runner in need of assistance, please help as you can and notify the nearest checkpoint.
If you need to withdraw from the race, please do so at the nearest checkpoint notifying them, and they can help arrange assistance off the course.
ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS:
In the case of extreme weather conditions such as lightning strikes, the race directors will make a decision that is in the best interests of all participants safety. This decision must be adhered to by all participants.
spectators
There are a number of viewing spots, spectators can view short parts of the race from.
1. Event Village (in fron of the Silos): Catch all the start and finish line action.
2. Silo Precinct Northern Border: A short stroll across to the fence will give you sweeping views across Limestone Lake, where you can spot runners in the early kilometres of the race, moving along the top trail on the far side of the lake or on the shoreline below you (in the final 1-2km of their race)
3. The Millpond: A short 500m drive to the western end of Williwa Street, brings you to the Anglican Church. Enter through its grounds and out the rear gate to be well positioned to cheer runners on as they complete their lap of The Millpond (around the 4km mark in the 10k; the 4km and 14km mark in the Half Marathon; and the 3km mark in the 5k race)
4. For those super keen to catch a glimpse of their runners in the 10k and Half Marathon, you can take a short drive around to Forest Street and see them through the fence as they cover a 100m section through the pine forest (around the 7.5km and 18km points for the Half Marathoners, and the 7.5km mark for the 10k runners.
See map on left.
Spectator Viewing Map
food and drink
Thank you for supporting our small local businesses whilst you are visiting Portland.
Location:
The Race Village is within 400m of the Portland Main Street where there are a mixture of eating options on offer.
Two of our Gold Sponsors are open early on race morning.
Zig Zag Brewery, is located in The Foundations, 150m from the Race Village and will have coffee available from 7am, with food available out the front of the Brewery from 8am. The Brewery is open till late Saturday night, so head there after your race for a bite to eat and drink to celebrate your accomplishments.
Portland Bakery is located at
63 Williwa Street, 300m from the Race Village and is open from 6am till 2pm on Race Day, ideal for an early morning coffee, or a pie or sweet treat following your run.
THANK YOU
The Born To Run Festival could not happen without my amazing team of volunteers. Working with me to bring this event to life each year, is a team of over 20 enthusiastic people who give up their Saturday morning on the long weekend, to ensure we have a trail running festival on offer in Portland, NSW.
To each of my team, thank you. I really appreciate everything you do to help bring the Born To Run Festival to life on the October Long Weekend.
When you pass one of the volunteers, whether it is in the event village or out on the course, please give them a smile, a high five and say thanks - they are there for you.
