Push your limits, or complete a race as part of a team.
The Margaret River Region is a glorious natural amphitheatre.
Every year these pristine surroundings play host to a raft of outdoor sporting events. Of course it’s world-renowned for surfing, but there is also mountain biking and marathons and ocean swims. It’s not all gruelling, Ironman kind of stuff though, with events for everyone of all abilities.
Whether you want to push your own limits or complete a race as part of a team, here’s a few of the top races across the calendar year.
The Sandman 50 is a 50km run. Just to challenge you a little more, it’s on the beach… and at night.
Competitors start from the Old Dunsborough Boat Ramp at 2am, and run along the beach to the Busselton Jetty and back.
It can be completed solo (for the extreme only!), or participants can compete in teams of two, making a changeover at Busselton Jetty.
These events aren’t as challenging as you might think, with a variety of options for all abilities and a course that’s known as one of the fastest (read: flattest). There’s the full marathon, a half-marathon, and five and ten kilometre fun-run events.
The full marathon is two out and back laps, the half-marathon one lap, of Busselton’s pristine coastal paths.
The Busselton Jetty Swim is one of WA’s premier open ocean swimming events, and has become an international event since it began in 1996.
It’s celebrated over two days, usually in the middle of February, and features solo and team swims of 3.6km, right around the longest timber-piled jetty in the southern hemisphere.
There’s also a one-mile swim to shore event, where swimmers jump in at the deep end of the jetty and swim to shore, and a 222m kids swimming event around the outside of the swimming jetty.
The TransCape Swim is a new adventure along the Cape Naturaliste coast, and features 10 runs and nine swims over 26 kilometres.
It’s about experiencing nature in the purest possible way, and pairs race the 26 kilometres together, with no transitions between the swimming and running legs.
The endurance event runs from the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse to the Dunsborough Bay Yacht Club along trails, beaches, rocks, and paths, taking in the rugged beauty of Cape Naturaliste, Meelup Regional Park, and stunning beaches in between.
XTERRA Dunsborough is Australia’s largest off-road triathlon, and the ultimate mix of triathlon and adventure racing.
Formerly known as X-Adventure, it features ocean swimming, trail-running, and mountain bike riding, and rather than competition this about a friendly, welcoming atmosphere for everyone.
You can race solo or in teams with your mates, and it takes place in Dunsborough’s stunning crystal-clear waters, granite coastline, and wildflower hinterland.
Busselton 100 is the region’s newest road-based triathlon, and features the iconic Busselton Jetty, Tuart Forest, and Geographe Bay.
Participants take on a two-kilometre swim, and 80km cycle, and an 18km run.
It’s the feature event of the Busselton Festival of Triathlon, held in late April and early May, and takes place of the previously named IRONMAN 70.3.
The Margaret River Ultra is an incredible 80km ultra-marathon through the region’s forests, trails, beaches, and bluffs on the beautiful Cape to Cape coast.
You can run either solo or in teams of two and five people, and it takes you past famous surf breaks, iconic wineries, and charming coastal hamlets. Whether you’re an ultra-marathon rookie or long-distance devotee, this is something that will really test you!
The Cape to Cape mountain bike stage race is held over four days in an iconic riding experience that takes you through some of the regions stunning private trails, vineyard visits, brewery finishes, and some of the warmest hospitality the region has to offer.
It starts at Cape Leeuwin lighthouse, near Augusta, and finishes four days, 200km, and 2,500m of climbing later at Cape Naturaliste. Each day is between 34 and 59km, and features constantly changing terrain in the diverse landscape of the region. There are fast flowing single trails, farm tracks, groomed downhill tracks, and fire trails, many of which are on private land and can only be ridden in this race.
The course is not overly technical and is rideable for anyone with a reasonable level of fitness and mountain bike riding skills.
An awesome adventure weekend for everyone, the Eagle Bay Epic is the ultimate mix of off-road adventure racing. It combines mountain biking, ocean swimming, trail running, and a new kayak leg through the azure Geographe Bay.
Eagle Bay Brewery is the official event venue. It offers sweeping views out to Cape Naturaliste, and is simply the most perfect race headquarters you could imagine.
You can step up to the challenge by racing solo or teaming up with a few mates.
The Cool Water Classic is a 20km point-to-point open water swim in the pristine waters of Geographe Bay. WA’s newest open-water swim event promises to establish itself as the perfect opportunity to welcome summer with wide arms.
Starting in Dunsborough and finishing at the iconic Busselton Jetty, there won’t just be action in the water. With multiple beach parties along the course solo, duo and teams will have the opportunity to fuel up, swap swimmers and hear the cheers of spectators.
The IronMan WA event is one of WA’s largest international sporting events, and features competitors from all around the world.
It’s a triathlon, with swimming, running, and riding events, and is globally renowned as the place to find a personal best on the Asia Pacific triathlon scene, thanks to the flat, fast, and fabulously picturesque course.
It’s grown enormously since it first arrived on the scene in 2004 and features international athletes and local competitors.
