Sunday’s McGrath Launceston Running Festival, presented by Rio Tinto Bell Bay Aluminium is on target to be the biggest, fastest and most thrilling in history.
Already the largest ever edition in terms of participation, with entries on target to exceed 4000 for the first time, a record more than $12,000 (and rising) in fundraising has also been achieved. Interstate and international entrants make up 18% of the entries, approximately double the 2025 edition, showing the popularity of the ‘runcation’.
However it’s the fast times that runners have come to expect on what is widely regarded ‘Australia’s Fastest Course’ that many hope this Sunday will bring. The Peppers Silo Half Marathon is the top ranked half marathon in the southern hemisphere and has attracted an elite field not seen before.
Australian half marathon record holder Izzi Batt-Doyle is eyeing off another national record, as she will attempt to better her 1:07:17 set last year in Japan. She’ll have to fend off Olympic marathoners Sinead Diver and Gen Gregson, along with a trio of Japanese stars, with Yumi Yoshikawa, Ayaka Shimoyamada and Kaho Onishi. 2025 World Championships representatives Sarah Klein and Tara Palm also return to Tasmania and will face off against Tasmanian record holder Milly Clark.
Triple Olympian Brett Robinson held the national record for the event until his team mate Jack Rayner sliced 4seconds off it earlier this year. While a winning time of under 60minutes may seem unprecedented on Australian soil, that may be the time it takes to win, given the field assembled.
Defending champion Teruki Shimada of Japan returns, as one of five Japanese men in the field. The fastest being Tsubasa Ichiyama, who was the top placed Japanese athlete at the 2025 Tokyo Marathon. They’re joined by Yuta Asakawa, Jinya Ozaki and Ryuichi Yoshioka. America’s 7th fastest ever marathoner Ethan Shuley also makes the journey, from his current base in Japan.
Although, it could be the Ethiopian born and raised Australian Haftu Strintzos who clips the heels of the pacemakers the most. Adopted by a Melbourne-based Greek family in 2011, he’s been quietly making waves in the Australian distance running scene since. In 2025 he became the Australian marathon champion and the third fastest ever at the half marathon distance, with a time of 1:00:36 and won the Melbourne Half Marathon in October.
The Tamar Chiro 10km starting at 10:00am is also expected to produce some fast times.
In the men’s, current Australian record holder Sam Clifford will battle the man he took the record from last year, Jack Rayner, who is undefeated at the event, winning in 2018 and 2020. With in form Ed Marks in the field, Stewart McSweyn’s 12 month old course record of 27:58 will be under threat.
The women’s field has seen some updates, with New Zealander Georgie Grgec, with Australian’s Caitlin Scott (nee Adams) and defending champion Ruby Smee all late switchers for the 10km.
A livestream will be available on Sunday for both the Peppers Silo Half Marathon and Tamar Chiro 10km, via the links;
Results for all events will be available here.
Images will be available from race day upon request.
The McGrath Launceston Running Festival will take place this Sunday 31 May 2026, featuring four events catering to elite and recreational runners alike:
Entries are still available, but some events may sell out - enter here.