BARKIN’ MAD ULTRA 2026
Is a walk or run to help support Aus Hair of the Dog Resuce Inc. There are the following distances: 2km, 5km, 10km, 20km and 50km.
WHAT IS THE BARKIN’ MAD ULTRA?
For the third year running, we bring you the Barkin Mad Ultra. What better way to spend a weekend than running with your best friend on beautiful native forest trails.
YOU DO NOT Need a Dog to Enter!
The Barkin’ Mad Ultra 2026, bought to you by Aus Hair of the Dog Inc., is an ultrarunning festival that celebrates the human animal bond. Dogs running to save dogs. Ultrarunners, let alone trail runners, are a different breed of people. Often the best running companions are those of the canine persuasion.
This event welcomes 400+ runners and walkers to challenge themselves and their four legged friends to collectively raise $30,000+ to support the work done by the Aus Hair of the Dog Inc. and educate on the predicament of the Baw Baw Shire dog shelter.
WHY?
Aus Hair of the Dog Rescue Inc. is a Victorian based rescue that is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming of dogs. Here are a just a few reasons the Barkin' Mad Ultra was established:
- Funding to house rescue dogs as they wait for their FurEver homes
- Create new economies for local communities
- Get more people into wild places
- Enhance the human animal bond
We have the chance to help make positive pawprints for change!
DETAILS?
Where: Rokeby Recreation Reserve
Date: 3rd and 4th October 2026
Races:
Saturday:
6:00 am – 50 km Race Start
8:30 am – 20 km Race Start
9:00 am – 10 km Race Start
9:30 am – 5 km Race Start
10:00 am – 10 km Walk Start
Sunday:
9:00 am – 2 km Trail walk for the Dogs
Capacity: 400 participants/ dogs
Entry: $35 / 2 km walk; $50 / 5 km run, $75 / 10 km walk/run; $120 / 20 km run; $275 / 50 km run
Fundraising: In 2025 we raised $18,000, lets raise this bar in 2026!
Registration fees
Prices are inclusive of mandatory charges, items, and fees
2km Walk/Run with a dog (Sunday 4th October) Opening soon
All dog ages, dogs are welcome to be in strollers Humans under 14 years must be supervised by an adult
-
$35.00
2km Walk/Run without a dog (Sunday 4th October) Opening soon
If you don't have a dog to run with, but still want to be part of this great event. Humans under 14 years must be supervised by an adult
-
$35.00
2km Walk/Run Adaptive Runner (Sunday 4th October) Closed
Our adaptive walk/runner category
-
$35.00
5km Run with a dog (Saturday 3rd October) Opening soon
All dog ages, dogs are welcome to be in strollers Humans under 14 years must be supervised by an adult
-
$50.00
5km Run without a dog (Saturday 3rd October) Opening soon
If you don't have a dog to run with, but still want to be part of this great event. Humans under 14 years must be supervised by an adult
-
$50.00
5km Walk/Run Adaptive Runner (Saturday 3rd October) Closed
Our adaptive walk/runner category
-
$50.00
10km Walk/Run with a dog (Saturday 3rd October) Opening soon
For dogs older than 1, younger than 15
-
$75.00
10km Walk/Run without a dog (Saturday 3rd October) Opening soon
If you don't have a dog to run with, but still want to be part of this great event.
-
$75.00
10km Run Adaptive Runner (Saturday 3rd October) Closed
Our adaptive runner catergory
-
$75.00
20km Run with a dog (Saturday 3rd October) Opening soon
For dogs older than 1, younger than 10
-
$120.00
20km Run without a dog (Saturday 3rd October) Opening soon
If you don't have a dog to run with, but still want to be part of this great event.
-
$120.00
20km Run Adaptive Runner (Saturday 3rd October) Closed
Our adaptive runner category
-
$120.00
50km Run with a dog (Saturday 3rd October) Opening soon
For dogs older than 1, younger than 10
-
$275.00
50km Run without a dog (Saturday 3rd October) Opening soon
If you don't have a dog to run with, but still want to be part of this great event.
-
$275.00
50km Run Adaptive Runner (Saturday 3rd October) Closed
Our adaptive runner category
-
$275.00
50km Team Relay (Saturday 3rd October) Opening soon
Run the 50km Ultra event as a team. With dogs, without dogs, all are welcome!
-
$275.00
Breed Limits
A note on breed limitations. Certain ages and breed of dogs will not be able to participate in the longer races. This is to prevent harm to the dogs. Dogs with restrictions to breathing such a brachycephalic dogs (flat faced dogs like pugs, French bull dogs etc) will be not permitted to run in the 20 and 50 km races. Dogs younger then 1 years of age will not be permitted to run in the 20 and 50 km in order to reduce the risk of damage to growing bones.
Dog Rules
- All dogs must be on leads for the entirety of the race. No retractable leads permitted.
- All dogs must have an identification tag/ collar/ harnesses.
- If a little antisocial we ask to use one our red bandanas so as to alert other competitors of your dogs temperament. Other dogs can wear green if okay with other dogs and people. Yellow is if the dog just has some mild anxiety. These bandanas will be picked up at race rego.
- You must pick up any dog waste from the trail. Poo bags are part of mandatory gear.
- It is your responsibility to condition your dog to the level of endurance required to run in this event. There will be veterinarians on course but this does not substitute for conditioning and training.
- Bring the necessary supplies for your dog, such as favourite treats and collapsable water dish.
Human Rules
- Adhere to the mandatory gear requirements. If not carrying the mandatory gear at completion of the race, the result is a disqualification. Race director has the final authority on any issues as they arise during the race.
- Follow the course markings, short cuts are not permitted. Obey checkpoint staff and on course marshals.
- Be kind and courteous will all volunteers.
- do not wear headphones that obstruct hearing. Shokz or bone conducting headphones are permitted.
- If requiring first aid on the course, call the number on the back of the Bib or seek help at the aid station. If you elect to drop out of the race, please notify staff.
- You understand the nature of trail running at short and long distances and you have completed the necessary training required to complete a race. You safety depends on your own skills and abilities.
We have been blessed to have met some incredible runners over the years and we
have been inspired to include in our race an adaptive category.
Our Policy
We believe that running is meant for all.
Our race welcomes you to have a ball.
It doesn’t matter if you need crutches and aids to finish your race.
It doesn’t matter about your pace.
It doesn’t matter if you see the world in different shades of black and grey
We welcome you to have a guide to help you find your way.
It okay also if you need more time to think on your feet,
For Barkin Mad Ultra is a race you can complete.
Our Categories
For eligible runners we have the following categories:
1. Vision/ Hearing Differently Abled
a. Vision: full or partial loss or impairment of sight
b. Hearing: full or partial loss of hearing that will significantly impact ability
to hear others on trails.
2. Neurological or Physical Movement Differently Abled
a. Neurological: significant full or partial impairment of a limb/s
b. Mechanical loss: full or partial loss of upper or lower limbs
c. Seated: athlete requires the use of a wheelchair; this athlete is
welcome to enter the 2km or 5km along the rail trail has wheelchair
access.
3. Intellectually Differently Abled
a. Acquired brain injury leading to full or partial loss of mental cognition
b. Congenital brain injury or deficit leading to full or partial loss of mental
cognition
What this Looks Like:
At Registration:
1. Select the Adaptive Athlete Category of your choice distance.
2. Fill out the questionnaire that gives us a bit more information about you and what
you will need from us on Race day.
3. Let us know if you will be running/ walking with a dog.
4. Let us know if you will be having a guide. Your guide/ assistant will receive their
own bib and will need to carry the same mandatory gear as the athlete.
5. You have now signed up as an adaptive athlete at Barkin Mad Ultra!
On Race Day:
Easy to access facilities including a wheelchair friendly toilet, accessible trail
head and accessible event village.
Appropriate Cut off times
Allowance for guide including race bibs
Supportive community vibes
Participation Pre-condition
• Must be at least 15 years of age or be accompanied by an adult
• Each participant must agree to the terms and conditions of participation.
• Athletes must be classified into one of the above categories to ensure eligibility.
These categories are reserved for individuals with permanent impairments not
athletes with temporary injuries (e.g. fractures).
Together we can all make paw-sitive changes!
Humans:
10 km: 500 ml fluid minimum, mobile phone, collapsible cup, snake bandage
20 km: waterproof jacket and hood, 1 litre fluid capacity minimum, snake bandage, mobile, collapsible cup, phone
50km: waterproof jacket and hood, thermal long shirt and long pants (TBA based on bad weather), beanie or buff, full fingered gloves, 1.5 L fluid capacity, snake bandage, mobile phone, space blanket, collapsible cup
Dogs:
All races: lead/ harness, poo bags, nutrition (favourite treats), collapsable water bowel
You acknowledge that Aus Hair of the Dog Rescue Inc as at the Event date holds Public Liability Insurance for the Event. This Insurance does not cover personal injury insurance for You, the participant or your dog. We strongly recommend You hold your own personal insurance and ambulance cover and your own pet insurance.
You understand that our insurance may not cover you for all injury, loss or damage sustained by You and your dog in participating in the Event and you acknowledge that the Event does not make any representation about the suitability of the insurance.
The Ambulance service is not a free service in Victoria. It’s your responsibility to check your health cover and ensure you are covered for ambulance cover in the case of an emergency.
To arrange cover with Ambulance Victoria, visit ambulance.vic.gov.au
Rokeby is a short 10 minute drive north of Warragul. Parking will be available onsite at Rokeby reserve at the entry of the cricket grounds.
Results will be made available on the event website upon completion of the races.
VFuel nutrition electrolytes
Water
Coca Cola and Bundaberg Ginger Beer
Lollies and Chips
Sunscreen,
Salt, sugar
Dog treats include: milk bones, liver treats, watermelon and fresh water
Dog crates will be made available at every aid station and event hub to sub dogs out if they fatigue or become injured.
10 km: 4 hours
20 km: 5 hours
50km: 8 hours – this means averaging a minimum of approximately 2 hours per 10 km loop.
Course Markings will make your life easy.
The course will be well marked so please keep an eye out for pink and orange markings/ribbons/cones on course. Digital maps have been provided to participants via GPX files, but familiarising yourself with the course beforehand could save you a lot of time on the day.
Ideally, bring a mobile phone on the Telstra network. There will be some portions of the track that does not have service. Just retrace your steps until you get reception and give us a call.
On the reverse of the timing bib provided will be the mobile phone numbers for the Race Director and Medical Team Leader, who may be able to help orientate you or assist.
There will be sweepers for each race and these amazing people will ensure that no one is left on course.
Contact information
- Event contact
- Amy Hewitt
- Website
- Visit website
