The Toowoomba Road Runners is proud to present this year’s Murphys Creek Challenge on Sunday 16 August, offering runners a 7km, 14km and 21.1km half marathon option. The 7km option is perfect for those getting into trail running/walking offering an undulating course, while the 14km and 21.1km half marathon option includes a challenging climb up Penderest Road. The course is mostly on dirt roads and 4WD track among beautiful scenery.
We are excited to have Pirtek Toowoomba continue as our event sponsor for this year. Pirtek Toowoomba is a locally owned business that is a leading provider of hydraulic & industrial hoses.
7KM RUN / WALK
14 KM
HALF MARATHON
The event is located at Murphys Creek Recreation Reserve, Dodts Road, Murphys Creek.
The half marathon starts at 7:00am, followed by the 14km event at 7:45am and 7km event at 8:00am. A race briefing for all participants will be conducted at 6:45am.
There is a 3.5 hour cut off and all participants must finish by 10:30am.
Course Map and Preview
The course is an out and back starting and finishing at Murphys Creek Recreation Reserve and run mainly on Penderest Road, an undulating 4WD track. 7km runners turnaround at the 3.5km mark while 14km runners continue along the road until the turnaround point at the 7km mark then head down towards the finish. Half Marathon participants complete one 14km lap then the shorter 7km lap before finishing.
There are 3 water stops available on the course, one at each turnaround point and one at the 5km point. Water and refreshments are available at the start and finish area. We also recommend participants bring their own water and sun protection.
No dogs, prams, horses, bikes and scooters are permitted.
Post event area
The start and finish area at Murphys Creek Recreation Reserve will have stalls set up such as a sausage sizzle, coffee van and TRR merchandise for sale.
Running clubs and groups are welcome to set up tents the day before the event for their members. Please reach out to [email protected] to secure a spot.
Race Pack Collection
Race packs will be available for collection as follows:
Saturday 15 August:
9am – 12pm: TriRunning, 94a Mort Street, Toowoomba
2pm – 4pm: Murphys Creek Recreation Reserve, Dodts Rd, Murphys Creek
Sunday 16 August (Event Day):
5:30am – 6:40am: Murphys Creek Recreation Reserve
Entry Fees – All entries come with a hot breakfast
7KM: $45
14KM: $55
Half Marathon: $65
Entry fees exclude TimingWizards online booking fee of 4.10% or $2.10 min (includes GST)
Event Schedule (Sunday 16th)
6:45am – Race Briefing (for all participants)
7:00am – 21km start
7:45am – 14km start
8:00am – 7km start
10:30am – cut off time for all events
Presentations will be conducted after each race event once most participants are back.
Sponsors and prizes
A big thank you to our major sponsors who so generously donate to the success of our
event:
– Pirtek (thanks John!)
– The Gillett family
– TriRunning – (huge thank you to owner Robyn)
With the funding and gifts provided by these sponsors there will be the following great
prizes:
First, second and third prizes from TriRunning for each of the events (7km, 14km
21.1km) for male and female categories. TriRunning also donates great prizes for our
lucky bib winners this gives everyone a chance on the day to be a winner!
The Gillett family are offering a cash bonus for the winner who also breaks the course
record in both male and female categories.
- 21.1km – Course Breaking winner – $200
- 14km – Course Breaking winner – $150
- 7km – Course Breaking winner – $100
If this bonus entices you further and you wish to know the details of the course records, here is what you have to beat (and for interest which runners currently own the records).
- 21.1km:
male 1:30:02 – Blake Reinbott (2024)
female 1:35:23 – Kathryn Parkinson (2023) - 14km:
male 57:52 – Timothy George (2025)
female 1:08:59 – Serena Dwyer (2023) - 7km:
male 27.50 – Hayden Thun (2025)
female 29:47 – Caitlyn Garratt (2024)
MCC Merchandise
Unique Murphy’s Creek Challenge performance shirts with will be available for
purchase on event day and we will also be selling them at club runs where possible.
They are $36 each:
After Party
After a hard morning running, volunteering, participating or sponsoring, everyone
deserves a celebration. This year we will gather at the Irish Hotel in Russell St from
12:45pm (meals and drinks to be individually purchased). So we can ensure an
appropriate space please RSVP by text to Wendy 0412 362 669 by 9th August 2026.
THANK YOU TO ALL TRR MEMBERS (AND PIET AND THE RUN TOOWOOMBA RUN
COMMUNITY) FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND REMEMBER TO LIKE AND SHARE OUR SOCIAL
MEDIA POSTS!
For any questions, please contact [email protected].
