The 2026 Kangaroo Island Marathon, Half Marathon and Sealink 10K took place last Sunday 23rd August, drawing runners from across Australia and around the world to Flinders Chase National Park for one of the country’s most remote and unique marathon events.
Following the event, one runner aptly described the course as “brutiful” – a blend of “brutal” and “beautiful” – a description echoed by many amongst the field as they battled tough terrain against a backdrop of some of Australia’s most striking coastal scenery.
A total of 279 runners took part in the Kangaroo Island Run Festival, out of 299 registered, and together they brought over 500 additional guests to the island – more than 800 visitors in all, a strong boost for the local economy.
Runners represented 20 different nationalities, reflecting the event’s growing international appeal, up significantly from 221 registered runners and 187 participants in 2025. Alongside a strong Australian contingent, the USA (39), Great Britain (11) and Canada (5) made up some of the largest overseas cohorts, with runners travelling from as far afield as Nepal, the Philippines and Uruguay.
Also among the field was Siu Fung Leung, who used Kangaroo Island to complete a remarkable challenge: his eighth and final marathon across all eight Australian states and territories. Finishing in 5 hours 21 minutes, his South Australia leg brought the journey to a fitting close on one of the country’s most demanding courses.
The strong international turnout reflects growing interest in Kangaroo Island as a running destination. Many international participants also used the trip as an opportunity for a self-drive holiday, exploring the island beyond race day itself.
Jeff Adams, President of Marathon Tours & Travel, said: “Kangaroo Island continues to prove itself as one of the most special destinations on our calendar. To see runners travelling from so many different countries, with hundreds of friends and family in tow, speaks to how much this event means to people, not just as a race, but as a genuine bucket-list travel experience. It’s fantastic for the island too, welcoming visitors to experience its wildlife and landscapes in a way few other events can offer.”
Shannon Stacey, Race Director, said: “Every year this event feels more special. The course takes runners through some genuinely wild parts of the island, and it’s always a privilege watching people experience Flinders Chase and the Remarkable Rocks for the first time, often at the hardest and most rewarding point of their race. The atmosphere out on course, and the support from the local community, is what keeps people coming back.”
Results: Full results from the 2026 event can be found here
To find out more about the Kangaroo Island Marathon visit: www.kangarooislandmarathon.com
And for more information about Marathon Tours & Travel, visit: www.marathontours.com.
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Founded by runner and travel visionary Thom Gilligan in 1979, Marathon Tours & Travel (MTT) is a longstanding recognized leader and innovator in the destination travel industry for runners and their supporters. With offices in Boston (USA), Manchester (UK),Adelaide (Australia) and Shanghai (China), the team has industry-leading global prominence.
Marathon Tours & Travel are an approved International Tour Operator to many marathons and other running events, including the Abbott World Marathon Majors, which consists of the Tokyo Marathon, Boston Marathon® presented by Bank of America, TCS London Marathon, TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS, BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, Bank of America Chicago Marathon and TCS New York City Marathon
kate@competepr.com
Compete PR Ltd
