Australian 24 Hour Championships is a 24 hours ultra marathon in Adelaide, Australia. Elevation: 50m D+. Difficulty: challenging (Challenge Rating 27/100). DNF rate: 15%. Time limit: 24h. Surface: road. Established 1990.
Australian 24 Hour Championships
Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
"24 hours. One flat loop. How far can you go? Australia's national championship."
Australia's official 24-hour national championship on a flat certified loop.
The Course
The official Australian national championship for 24-hour running, held on a certified 400m track or 1km loop course. Runners accumulate as many kilometres as possible in exactly 24 hours. The course is pancake-flat and immaculately measured — this is pure endurance distilled to its essence, with no terrain to blame and no navigation to worry about. The only variable is how long your body and mind will cooperate. Elite runners target 250+ km; the Australian record stands above 270km.
flat
multi-loop
1
Runner Experience
Loop-based format with continuous access to a central aid area between laps.
Last-person-standing events create uniquely intense bonds. Spectators and eliminated runners cheer on those still going.
Race Day Weather
18°C
10° – 24°
50%
15%
Adelaide spring — pleasant daytime temperatures with cool nights.
Stats & Records
1990
80
24:00:00
24:00:00
Martin Fryer (2019)
24:00:00
Kellie Emmerson (2021)
450
Entry
AUD 180
March
months
Lore & Trivia
The 24-hour format is ultra running stripped to its mathematical core: distance equals will. Australia has a proud tradition in timed events, with Yiannis Kouros — a Greek-Australian — holding multiple world records in the format. The national championship attracts a mix of dedicated 24-hour specialists (who train specifically for loop-course pacing), ultramarathon runners testing their endurance ceiling, and first-timers who just want to see how far they can go in a day. The social atmosphere is unique: crews set up elaborate aid stations trackside, music plays through the night, and the communal suffering creates bonds that trail races rarely match.
- ▸ Australia's national 24h championship attracts the country's best timed-event specialists.
- ▸ Top runners regularly exceed 200km in the 24-hour window.
- ▸ The flat loop course is ideal for consistent pacing and crew support.
- ▸ Established in 1990.
- ▸ Total elevation gain: 50m.
In a 24-hour race, the track doesn't change. Only you change. That's the whole point.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Australian 24 Hour Championships? +
Australian 24 Hour Championships is a 24 hours ultra with 50m of elevation gain on road terrain.
How hard is Australian 24 Hour Championships? +
Australian 24 Hour Championships is rated challenging with a Challenge Rating of 27/100 (Moderate). The DNF rate is 15%. Runners have 24 hours to finish.
What is the weather like at Australian 24 Hour Championships? +
Average temperature is 18°C (range 10°C to 24°C) with 50% humidity and a 15% chance of rain. Adelaide spring — pleasant daytime temperatures with cool nights.
Are crew and pacers allowed at Australian 24 Hour Championships? +
Crew access is allowed. Pacers are not allowed.
What is the course record for Australian 24 Hour Championships? +
The men's course record is 24:00:00 set by Martin Fryer in 2019. The women's course record is 24:00:00 set by Kellie Emmerson in 2021.
What is the average finish time for Australian 24 Hour Championships? +
The average finish time is 24:00:00. About 80 runners finish each year. The DNF rate is 15%.
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