The Marathon takes in Bridgewater Bay, Discovery Bay and Portland Bay. This year, the event will start at Alexandra Park, Portland, at the Westerns Football Oval.

From Alexandra Park, the course follows mostly the same spectacular route as previous years, heading out towards Bridgewater Bay via a gently undulating course. Spectacular views are afforded as competitors climb the first of our two big hills, the ‘Dipper’. From there, the course weaves through Bridgewater Lakes and past the intriguing limestone caves, before runners attempt the second climb, the ‘Shuffler’.

The course then heads back towards town along ‘Cashmore Straight’, a mentally challenging 8km of flat, straight road. Runners then make their way through Portland, skirting Portland Bay before continuing down Bentinck Street and along to the Portland Foreshore, where the finish line awaits.

Please note: The start and finish locations have changed for 2026. The race now starts at Alexandra Park and finishes on the Portland Foreshore.

The Half Marathon follows the second half of the Marathon course. Runners will be bused from Alexandra Park, Portland, to the start line near Bridgewater Lakes.

The start line is one third of the way up the ‘Shuffler’, so the race commences with a steep climb. From here, the course undulates for approximately 5km before turning onto ‘Cashmore Straight’, an 8km-long, straight and flat stretch of road.

From there, it’s back into town and along Portland Bay before heading down Bentinck Street and continuing to the Portland Foreshore for the finish line.

The 10km follows the final section of our Marathon course, offering runners a scenic and enjoyable route into Portland and along the beautiful Portland Bay coastline.

Runners will be bused from Alexandra Park to the start line, where the course gets underway before joining the final section of the Marathon route. With the challenging hills of the middle section left behind, the 10km is a fast, relatively flat and approachable course — perfect for runners looking to step up from shorter distances such as parkrun, or simply enjoy a great 10km run.

The course heads back into town before following Bentinck Street down towards the Portland Foreshore, finishing alongside Portland Bay as the Marathon runners make their way towards the finish.

A great distance, a spectacular setting and the perfect way to be part of the 3 Bays Running Festival.​​

A huge part of the three bays atmosphere is created by our relay competitors.  We have the primary and secondary school relays, and the 8 person (7 x 5km, 1 x 7km) relay. On the marathon course (but with a delayed start), it’s a great way to be part of the festival without having to run a huge distance yourself.

​

​

​

​

​