SUN 25 OCT 2026
FAQs
Sydney City Race 2026
When is the Sydney City Race and what time does it start?
The Sydney City Race will be held on Sunday 25th October 2026, between 8:00am and 10:30am. It's not a mass start event. You will be given a pre-allocated start time between 8:00 and 10:30am. These will be published in the week before the Race.
What is the Sydney City Race?
The Sydney City Race involves navigating your way around a series of checkpoints, where the fastest time wins. There are varying line course distances, and an "all control points" 90 minute time limited mini rogaine.
City Races like this are held all over the world, including London, Venice, Barcelona and Lisbon. There is even a Euro Tour of city races across Europe each year.
What is the format for each event?
The Sydney City Race will be 4 different map running distances that are line courses where you find a series of control points in order, all located in the City and around the harbour. Or you can do a mini rogaine with a 90 minute time limit to find as many control points as possible. Half of the control points are shown on one side of the map, and the remaining ones on the other side. Competitors can find as many control points as possible within the 90 minutes, but once they've flipped their map, they can't flip back, so careful planning and tactics will be key!
Where will the Sydney City Race be held?
The Sydney City Race will be run in and around North Sydney and harbourside areas, NSW, Australia. It will start and finish within walking distance of North Sydney station and Victoria Cross Metro.
How do I get there?
The Sydney City Race is easily accessible by train, light rail, buses or ferries. You can even ride your bike using the extensive bicycle lane network in and around Sydney. There is extremely limited parking.
What map do we use and how do I register at the control points?
You will get a specially prepared map that shows all the roads, parks, buildings, other special features and where the harbour is. We will display the map at the registration areas on the day of the races so that you can familiarise yourself with it.
Your course will be printed on the map for you to navigate around. You might need a compass to help navigate, but it is up to you.
When you collect your Race Pack, you will receive an electronic timing stick that you will use to register at each control point. The stick stores the details of the control point so that when you finish, you can get an instant printout of your result. You will be given a unique timing chip on the day of the race, which you return to the organisers after your finish.
What is the mini rogaine?
This is a time limited race where you can find the control points in any order.
Each control point is given a point value that the competitors accumulate throughout the race. The competitor or team that accumulates the most points within the time limit is declared the winner. However, time penalties do apply for teams that return late. You will need to plan your route carefully as for each minute you're late back, you will lose the points from one control point, so don't be late back! Successful teams will require good planning to ensure they visit enough control points while allowing themselves time to return back to the finish without incurring too many penalties. So you will need to plan your route for maximum points and minimum penalties. You will be given 10 minutes before you start to plan your route.
How do I enter?
You will be able to enter online through our website. Enter on the Home page or by clicking on the orange Entry button.
What are the entry fees?
Sydney City Race distances:
15k race $55
10k race $40
6k race $30
3k race $20
90 minute mini rogaine $45
Juniors 12yo and under $10 on 3km or mini-rogaine (must be accompanied by an adult)
What is the age limit to participate?
The minimum age limit when competing solo is 14. The races will use and cross public roads, so competitors will need to be aware of the dangers inherent in this. Competitors aged under 14 are able to run any of the races as part of a Team, provided there is at least 1 person on the team aged 18 or over. Competitors aged 12 or less must be accompanied by an adult. We understand that everyone is different though, so please contact us for more information or to discuss specific needs that you may have. For the purposes of these age limits, age is as at 31 December 2026.
Do I have to run by myself or can I run with other people?
You can run solo or you can run with other people as part of a team.
The maximum team size is up to 4 people.
Each person must enter individually, and indicate in their entry which team they will be part of.
Can my whole family compete?
Absolutely! Everyone aged 16 years old or more can compete in the races, either on their own or as part of a Team. Children 12 years old and under will need to be accompanied by an adult (after the adult has finished their race if they are competing separately). Children aged 13 or under will need to compete in a Team with one other person who is 18 years old or more, or be accompanied on their course by an adult.
How long can I take to do the Race? What is the cut-off finish time and what if I haven't located all of the checkpoints?
Competitors can take as long as they want to do their course, however there are cut off times that you must finish by, regardless of whether you have located all of the control points.
You will be given an allocated start time, between 8:00am and 10:30am. You must return to the finish by 12:00 noon.
The mini rogaine is suitable for competitors who are unsure about locating all of the control points before the Race Day event cut off time. There is no requirement to find the control points in order in the mini rogaine, or to find them all. Competitors can choose which control points they want to find within the allocated time.
Do I have to be a fast runner or an experienced navigator to take part?
No! The Sydney City Race, whilst a competitive map running event, is open to people of all skill and fitness levels. There is a variety of race distances and the option of running as part of a team. Participants can choose what they are comfortable with and do it at their own pace.
What happens if there is bad weather on Race day?
The Race Director will be keeping a close eye on the weather forecast for each day. Any decision to cancel the race will be advertised as early as possible before the race if weather conditions are deemed too dangerous to hold the race.