Sunday, October 25 in 2026
October 6, 2026
Some of Australia’s best distance runners will line up along side thousands of community runners when the Strait Link Burnie 10 returns to Tasmania’s North-West on Sunday, 25 October 2026.
The 42nd edition of the iconic race will once again incorporate the Australian 10km Road Running Championships, with national championship honours on the line for the second consecutive year.
The Strait Link Burnie 10 has built a reputation as Australia’s Premier Community Running Event, combining a world-class competitive field with an atmosphere and level of community support that has made the race a favourite among elite athletes and recreational runners alike.
Leading the men’s field will be defending champion Adam Goddard, who returns to Burnie determined to defend the title he won in 2025. He will have to face off against Australian record holder and Tasmanian own, Sam Clifford, World Championship representatives Matt Ramsden and Tim Vincent, along with Olympic Steeple chaser Ben Buckingham who makes his first serious appearance on the roads.
Goddard said his first experience of Burnie left a lasting impression.
“I really enjoyed my first experience of Burnie as a place and race event last year. The community feel was really cool,” Goddard said.
“Coming into this year feels slightly different off the back of a tough six months of things not going perfectly to plan. I feel like I carried momentum off the back of a few wins into last year, which definitely helped.
“I think being the defending champ is a pretty surreal opportunity. Whilst it does carry a weight of expectation, I’m still really excited to do my best to defend that title, against what I hope is a really strong field.”
Goddard will face a quality line-up of Australian athletes as he attempts to add another Burnie 10 victory to his record and claim Australian Championship honours.
Among those with a strong connection to the race is 2021 Burnie 10 winner Isaac Heyne, who remains a passionate supporter of the event and its unique atmosphere.
“I love the Burnie 10 – I lovethe race, I love the course, I love the town and the locals,” Heyne said.
“It is a very special place tome and I love coming back to race when I can!”
Olympic marathoner Ellie Pashley headlines the women’s race. She will look to make it two Australian championships in a row, after she stood in the middle of the podium at the Sydney Marathon a little over a month ago.
New Zealander Georgie Grgec carries the quickest PB in the field with 31:57 and placed second over 10km in her first visit to Tasmania at the McGrath Launceston Running Festival back in May.
Sydney City2Surf winner Holly Campbell is the third ranked lady in the field, ahead of in form Tasmanian’s Ruby Smee, Milly Clark and former Australian Cross Country Champion Georgia Hansen.
The 2026 race will offer one of the strongest prize pools in the event’s history, with equal prize money for men and women. The winner of each race will receive $5,000, with $2,500 for second, $1,000 for third, $750 for fourth and $500 for fifth.
There will also be $500 awarded to the first Tasmanian across the finish line, while the first participant to reach the 5km mark will receive $500, provided they complete the race.
Adding further incentive for the nation’s fastest runners, a $3,000 course record bonus is available for any athlete who breaks the existing 10km records of 27:43,held by Jack Rayner, or 31:40, held by Leanne Pompeani.
The Australian 10km Road Running Championships will be staged within the Strait Link Burnie 10 in 2025, 2026 and 2027.
To be eligible for Australian Championship prize money, athletes must be registered with their relevant member association, such as Athletics Tasmania. This requirement applies only to individuals eligible to represent Australia.
With elite athletes chasing national titles and significant prize money, and thousands of community runners preparing to take on the famous Burnie course, the 2026 Strait Link Burnie 10 promises another memorable chapter in one of Australia’s great road races.
The Strait Link Burnie 10 will be held on Sunday, 25 October 2026.
