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Race guide · New South Wales, Australia
How to train for the Six Foot Track Marathon
45 km across the Blue Mountains, from the Explorers Marked Tree near Katoomba to the Jenolan side: a steep drop, a big climb and a 7-hour limit. Here's what to know and how to get ready.
Next race Sat Mar 13, 2027
| Distance | Climb | Time limit | Start | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Six Foot Track | 45 km | 1,528 m | 7:00 | In waves |
Starts at the Explorers Marked Tree near Katoomba and currently finishes at Binda Bush Cabins; the course drops 1,788 m in total. Runners start in allocated waves. Entry needs a qualifying time, and places go to preferred entries and a lottery; see the 2027 entry guide on sixfoot.com.
What makes it hard
A steep, rocky drop to start
From 1,050 m at the start, the course drops through Nellie's Glen on narrow, rocky track to 725 m in the first 1.7 km, then into the Megalong Valley.
Train for it: Practise steep, rocky descents early in your long runs, when fresh legs make it tempting to go too fast.
Coxs River to the Black Range
From the lowest point at the Coxs River (270 m, 15.5 km) the course climbs to the Pluviometer (990 m, 26 km) and on to the Black Range above 1,190 m.
Train for it: Long, sustained climbs and power hiking, so the middle of the race feels familiar.
Cutoffs all the way
Intermediate cutoffs at the Coxs River (15.5 km, 2:10), the Pluviometer (26 km, 4:10) and the Deviation (39 km, 6:05), then a 7-hour finish limit.
Train for it: Know your splits and rehearse pacing, so the early descent doesn't cost you the climb.
How long to train
Plan on 14–18 weeks if you're already running regularly, like a trail marathon build. Spend the time on long climbs, technical descents and runnable fire trail.
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How much elevation gain is the Six Foot Track Marathon?
The course climbs 1,528 m and drops 1,788 m over 45 km, according to the organiser, so it's net downhill with a big climb in the middle.
When is the Six Foot Track Marathon 2027?
Saturday, 13 March 2027, according to the organiser. Entry needs a qualifying time, and places are allocated through preferred entries and a lottery.
Race facts checked October 22, 2026 against sixfoot.com. Confirm dates and rules with the organiser. Vert.run is not affiliated with the race.