Inaugural marathon set to welcome runners this November

Western Sydney is set to showcase a very different side of the region this November, with hundreds of runners already committed to race in the inaugural Western Sydney Lakes Marathon, taking place on Saturday 21 November, 2026.

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With the spectacular backdrop of the Blue Mountains, the event takes runners along the picturesque lakeside setting of Western Sydney Lakes, including sections of the lakes and surrounding landscape that have never before been included as part of a running event. The result is a scenic and unexpected race experience, just moments from the heart of Western Sydney.

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Produced by Elite Energy, the Nowra-based company celebrated for its popular mass participation sports events including Run Huskisson, Huskisson Triathlon and Run Wollongong, Western Sydney Lakes Marathon features five popular distances - the full marathon, half marathon, 10km, 5km and 2km - with the 42.2km and 21.1km courses showcasing the stunning lakeside environment and surrounding natural landscape.

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For Elite Energy CEO Mark Emerton, securing the venue was an exciting opportunity to create something special and unique for the running community.

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“When we first looked at Western Sydney Lakes, we knew we had found something special. It’s not necessarily a location people immediately associate with distance running, but once you’re there the beauty of the lakes, the open space and those incredible views are impossible to miss.

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“We wanted to create an event that would surprise people - an event that felt like an escape from the city without actually leaving Western Sydney. It’s a picture-perfect setting and we’re incredibly excited to share it with runners from across Western Sydney, NSW and beyond.”

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Taking place in late spring, all distances will feature early starts to give runners the best possible conditions and help beat any potential springtime warmth. The early start will also allow participants to experience the lakes and surrounding landscape in the cool morning light, adding to the atmosphere of race morning.

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For Western Sydney, this race day represents more than just running. While creating an opportunity for the broader community to benefit from a major new local sporting event, it will also bring athletes, supporters, families and visitors together to experience a unique local destination.

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Andrew Bondini, General Manager of Western Sydney Lakes, said, "We can't wait to welcome runners to Western Sydney Lakes for the inaugural Western Sydney Lakes Marathon, and to see participants and spectators enjoy our trails, lakes and beaches for themselves.

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"It's a real privilege to keep building on this site's sporting legacy, from hosting rowing, canoeing and whitewater at the Sydney 2000 Olympics to now welcoming the next generation of runners, as we build on the site's transformation into one of Western Sydney's great recreational destinations."

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Entries are open and available across all five distances. For more information and to enter, visit https://www.eliteenergy.com.au/event/western-sydney-lakes-mara/

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The November weekend will also see the return of the iconic Nepean Triathlon on Sunday 22 November, creating a full weekend of endurance sport in Western Sydney. Australia’s oldest triathlon, the Nepean, has been a fixture on the Australian sporting calendar since 1982 and now offers a range of triathlon events for first-timers through to experienced athletes.

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For more information and to enter, visit https://nepeantriathlon.com.au

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The combination of Western Sydney Lakes Marathon and Nepean Triathlon will create a significant weekend of racing and community activity at one of Western Sydney’s premier sporting venues.

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"I'm immensely proud of what we’ve been able to create at Elite Energy and this event is another exciting chapter for us," said Mark Emerton, CEO of Elite Energy. "We have this great opportunity to showcase part of Western Sydney that many people may not have experienced in this way before. To bring hundreds of runners and their supporters to such a beautiful location, while creating an event that the local community can get behind, is something I’m really excited about. I truly love producing events that bring people together and showcase the incredible regions we’re lucky enough to live and work in."

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- Ends-

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Media Enquiries

For Western Sydney Lakes media enquiries, please contact:

Biarta Parnham | E: biarta@biased.com.au | M: 0438 337 408

For Elite Energy Events media enquiries, please contact:

Seb Gallery | E: seb@eliteenergy.com.au | M: 0409 121 120

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Elite Energy Events:

‍Website | Instagram | Facebook

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About Western Sydney Lakes:

‍Website | Instagram | Facebook

Western Sydney Lakes is a 2,000-hectare area in Western Sydney, dedicated to creating spaces where communities thrive alongside nature. Located 3km north of Penrith CBD adjacent to the Nepean River and bordering Penrith's Great River Walk, the former quarrying sites have been transformed into dynamic recreational destinations due to extensive work to regenerate the landscape and rehabilitate ecosystems and biodiversity. The proposed vision for the Lakes is centred around the creation of a vibrant tourism and leisure precinct with a host of retail, food and beverage and public spaces linked to the water. Western Sydney Lakes is a joint venture between Boral, Holcim and Heidelberg Australia.

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