Winter in Sydney usually means lazy café mornings and mist lifting off the Hawkesbury, but the Sydney Ultra Marathons on July 26th 2025 turn that gentle scene into a full-throttle trail festival. Three single-loop courses—SUM 30, SUM 50 and SUM 80—all launch from St Ives Showground and dive straight into the sandstone labyrinth of Ku-ring-gai Chase before threading through Garigal National Park and, for the longest race, the lakeside trails of Manly Dam. Every climb rewards you with a new slice of bushland or a glittering inlet, and every descent reminds you Sydney’s north-shore single-track can be as technical as it is beautiful.
| Race | Distance | Elevation gain | Gun time | Field cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUM 30 | 30 km | ≈ 975 m | 08:00 | 200 (sold-out, wait-list) |
| SUM 50 | 50 km | ≈ 1 587 m | 07:30 | 200 |
| SUM 80 | 81 km | ≈ 2 125 m | 07:00 | 200 |
SUM 30 – Sydney’s ultimate 30 km hit-out
A single lap that punches above its weight: creek-side boardwalks, razor-back ridges, and a finale that pops you onto the Showground oval with the crowd almost inside the gum canopy. Perfect for road runners wanting a first taste of technical trail.
SUM 50 – The premier 50 km challenge
Add Garigal’s flowing valleys and the notorious “Stegosaurus Spine” climb and you have a genuine ultra that still finishes in daylight for most runners. Aid stations every 12–14 km keep legs fresh and packs light.
SUM 80 – The big one
North to Cowan Track switchbacks, east to Manly Dam rollers, then home via the fern tunnels of Cascades—SUM 80 is a grand tour of every surface Sydney trail culture loves. Two thousand metres of vert means quads sing; sunset finishers will switch on head-torches for the last forest stretch.
What every Sydney Ultra Marathons bib delivers
- Premium event shirt (soft poly-blend, gender-specific cut)
- Professional race photos—all digital shots free, no watermark drama
- Chunky finisher medal with distance-specific ribbon
- Well-stocked, cupless aid stations (fruit, Tailwind, coke, savoury bites)
- Live online tracking for friends glued to the couch
Mandatory gear snapshot
All distances are cupless—bring a soft cup or flask.
| Item | SUM 30 | SUM 50 & SUM 80 |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile phone & emergency numbers | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Compression bandage | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Water capacity | ≥ 500 ml | ≥ 1 L |
| Space blanket | — | ✔️ |
| Head-lamp & hi-vis vest (if >10 h) | — | ✔️* |
| Thermal top & waterproof shell (weather-call)** | — | ✔️ |
* Sunset is ~17:10; pack lights if you’re a 10 h+ runner.
** RD makes the final call 48 h pre-race.
Why the Sydney Ultra Marathons sell out
- One-lap freedom – no mental grind of repeats; every kilometre is fresh.
- True national-park immersion 45 minutes from the CBD.
- Limited fields – 200 runners per race keeps trails uncluttered and aid volunteers attentive.
- Feel-good entry fees – the event partner, 180 Cadence, pours a slice of proceeds into track-maintenance grants for Ku-ring-gai and Garigal.
Lock it in
Final-spots pricing is live: $180 (SUM 30 wait-list), $275 (SUM 50) and $375 (SUM 80). Hit REGISTER NOW, start practising rocky creek crossings, and be ready when Sydney Ultra Marathons calls the roll on 26 July 2025.