Every distance of the Mt Macedon Trail Run starts on the steps of the Memorial Cross, one of Victoria’s most recognised mountain landmarks. From there the course drops off the summit into the cool forests of the Macedon Ranges, onto a network of trails that are favourites for walkers, hikers and runners alike.
Mt Macedon rises more than 1,000 metres above the surrounding plains, built from ancient volcanic rock and covered in towering Mountain Ash and Messmate, with fern-lined gullies and a cool climate that shifts with the seasons. Each distance shows a different side of the mountain: flowing single track, steep climbs, technical descents and rugged volcanic ridgelines.
Whether it’s your first trail event, a step up to the half marathon or marathon, or one of the longer mountain challenges, every course rewards the effort. The terrain suits newcomers and experienced runners alike, and few people run Macedon just once.
It isn’t only the trails that bring people back. It’s the cool forests, the changing seasons, the history of the mountain and the Trailsplus community that turns up for every runner, whatever their pace. From the first steps beneath the Memorial Cross to the last descent through the forest, Macedon is a mountain that stays with you well after the finish.
First Trail Adventure
Whether this is your very first trail event or you’re chasing a fast run through the forest, the 10km offers a rewarding challenge for runners of all experience levels.
Half Marathon Trail Challenge
For many runners, the half marathon is where confidence grows. Every climb conquered and every kilometre completed is another step in your own trail running journey.
Endurance Trail Adventure
The 30km rewards patience, smart pacing and determination. It’s a distance that encourages runners to discover they’re capable of more than they imagined.
Trail Marathon
The trail marathon is an achievement few forget. Every ascent, descent and finish line becomes part of a story earned through commitment, resilience and adventure.
Ultra Trail Challenge
The 50km is where preparation meets possibility. Reaching the finish is more than completing an ultramarathon, it’s discovering just how far determination can take you.
A course that begins at the Memorial Cross and drops into the cool forests and volcanic ridgelines of Mt Macedon.
Runners will experience:
From the 10km through to the 50km ultra, every distance takes on the same climbs, forest and volcanic ridgelines.
| Check-in | Briefing | Race Start | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50KM | 6:30am | 7:15am | 7:30am |
| 42km | 6:30am | 7:15am | 7:30am |
| 30km | 8:30am | 9:15am | 9:30am |
| 21km | 9:30am | 10:15am | 10:30am |
| 10km | 10:30am | 11:15am | 11:30am |
Cameron Drive
Mt Macedon VIC 3441
The Macedon Trail Run is set on the mountain itself, at the southern end of Victoria’s Great Dividing Range. Mt Macedon rises to just over 1,000 metres above the surrounding plains, its slopes built from ancient volcanic rock and covered in cool mountain forest. The Memorial Cross near the summit was raised in the 1930s in memory of those lost in the First World War, and remains one of Victoria’s most recognised mountain landmarks. It’s about an hour from Melbourne, but the cool climate and towering forest feel a long way from the city.
Download the official Macedon trail map for every distance, from the 10km to the 50km. Each map shows the full course, elevation and key landmarks across Mt Macedon.
The Macedon Trail Run is the fourth event in the Trailsplus Mountain Series, five trail running events across some of Victoria’s most distinctive destinations. Each has its own history, terrain and character, from the volcanic forests of Mt Macedon to the granite peaks of the You Yangs and the waterfalls of the Otways. Run one, or take on the whole series and build your experience across a season of very different adventures.
Trailsplus has now contributed more than $90,000 to Canteen Victoria thanks to the support of runners, volunteers and the wider trail running community.
As a thank you, volunteers can earn race entry credits to use towards a future Trailsplus event. After volunteering, simply contact us when you’re ready to enter your next race and we’ll provide a discount code for your entry.
