Cocos (Keeling) Islands Marathon

🇨🇨 The inaugural Cocos (Keeling) Islands Marathon will be held on Wednesday 19 August 2026. Registrations is now open, and closes 31 July 2026 or when capacity is reached or at the sole direction of the race directors.

Please join our group chat if you are registered or keen to learn more including sharing accommodations etc. don’t delay.

https://chat.whatsapp.com/IWNwigG8CyMFXbprbVnoE4?mode=gi_t

Important: The race starts at 4pm local time (UTC +6.5) which is 5:30pm Perth Australia time (AWST). As the system doesn’t allow a local time of UTC +6.5 the time listed is Perth time, but is translated to 4pm local time which is the start time. All participants will be expected to attend a mandatory race briefing at 6pm the day before race - Tuesday 18 August at Tropica Restaurant. Headlamps (which will last the entire race - bring recharging/batteries), your own nutrition, your own hydration and electrolytes are a requirement for the race. You can leave these items at the aid station checkpoint and the race will feature 6x7km laps plus and extra 195m to deliver the 42.195km.

As stated the race is 42.195km (official marathon distance) and will be measured ahead of time via GPS and is designed to coincide with the annually scheduled Christmas Island Marathon which is held on the 16 August 2026. More information on that race is at cimarathon.com.

All participants are expected to use smart watches and record their race in Garmin/Strava and provide evidence at completion. Failure to do so will result in disqualification, no further correspondence will be entertained, the race directors decision is final. Entrants are expected to conduct themselves in line with the rules and customs of the Islands.

There is a 10 hour cut off for this race. Head lamps are mandatory as we will run into the evening. You should also bring your own hydration and nutrition. This is all in order to minimize the amount of heat and stress for slower runners and walkers. This is at your own risk event, no insurance is provided by the race organizers and you take full responsibility. We suggest you take out adequate travel insurance. The reason for an evening start vs morning start is to cater for locals who may want to visit, support and race. And cater for the final ferries in the evening.

It will be a loop course held along on West Island. We will confirm exact location closer to the start date at the race briefing.

There will be a staffed volunteer aid station and time keeper.

Our itinerary would be as follows, this page only allows for registration of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands Marathon.

15 Aug: fly from Perth into Christmas Island arrive 3:30pm (Qantas)

15 Aug: check into accommodations

15 Aug 6pm: Pasta Dinner for Christmas Island Marathon

16 Aug morning: Christmas Island Marathon

16 Aug afternoon: recovery/explore island

17 Aug: Fly Qantas from Christmas to Cocos Island. Depart 3:55pm, arrive 4:55pm. We intend to have dinner at Surfer Girl Restaurant at 630pm. Prices at your cost, menu here: https://cocosartisanscollective.com.au/restaurants/surfer-girl-restaurant-brewery/

18 Aug: Free day to explore (we stay on West Island) - at 4:30pm we will do a shakeout run with Hash House Harriers, the local run club on West Island and a social afterwards and carb loading dinner and race briefing at Tropica Restaurant (at your cost) from 6pm.

19 Aug: Cocos Island Marathon - 4pm local time start. We may allow slower runners/walkers to start earlier. We will confirm this closer to the event. At this stage the start location will be outside the entrance of Tropica Restaurant. We set this time to allow locals to also participate and still have time to catch the last ferries from West Island back to Home Island.

20 Aug: Free day or explore - suggest we go to Direction Island (Ferry departs 730am). This is the best place to beach and places to swim and snorkel in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. Ferry returns in the afternoon. At your cost. We intend to have an Asian Inspired Dinner at 630pm at Surfer Girl Restaurant at your cost menu here: https://cocosartisanscollective.com.au/restaurants/surfer-girl-restaurant-brewery/

21 Aug: Morning: Early day - morning trip to Home Island (730am departure from West Island) and explore. Return on Ferry is at 1030am - in time to fly at 2:45pm from Cocos Island back to Perth (flight goes via Christmas Island)

Cocos (Keeling) Islands Ferry schedule below:

The flight schedules is as follows:

Your flight from Perth to Christmas Island on Qantas on the 15 August. There is accommodation at VQ3 still on Christmas Island 15-17 August.Book now.
Your flight from Christmas Island to Cocos Island on Qantas on the 17 August:

Your flight from Cocos back to Perth (via Christmas Island) on Qantas:

For accommodation on Cocos you should stay on West Island - book now acommodation goes quickly and is limited join our group chat for share options: https://cocoskeelingislands.com.au/

The race directors are Wojtek and Bryan:

Bryan is a retired Australian, having lived and worked around the world. He has a goal to be the first Australian to have run 100 marathons in 100 countries. And also to run a marathon in every inhabited Australian State and Territory. And as of writing this e-mail Bryan has completed 55 marathons in just over 2 years. Bryan is also completing 52 marathons in 52 weeks this year as he celebrates the 52nd anniversary of International Frontrunners (IFR) - a not for profit whose mission is to bring LGBT+ runners around the world together - their first club was established in 1974 and now represents 11,000+ athletes around the world from 130+ clubs worldwide from London, New York, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo to Perth and beyond. Bryan is the President of IFR and is also celebrating his 52nd birthday this year.

Note - race entry is just for the entry to the race, it does not cover any other costs. There is a strict no refund, no transfer policy. You take your own responsibility for your health and readiness for this race.

The organizers take no responsibility and you compete at your own risk. The race organizers reserves the complete right to refuse applications to race. We have limited places. Do not register if you won’t run. By registering you agree to advise us immediately if you have no intention to run.!If you do not feel well you should not race. You should have medical clearance before racing. This race is only in 42.195km distance.

The race medal and bib: