Launceston Running Festival secures elite status

The Launceston Running Festival has become the first, and only, half marathon event with the title of ‘elite status’ in the Southern Hemisphere. The Launceston Running Festival will take place on Sunday, 1st June 2025 starting and finishing at Riverbend Park with around 4000 runners from across Australia and the world anticipated to participate.

The World Athletics Elite Label places Launceston alongside the world’s premier running events with Tasmanian Minister for Sports and Events, Nick Duigan noting the elite status would “support the Launceston Running Festival to attract athletes both from across the globe as well as drive significant interstate visitation to Tasmania during our off-season.

“Organisers are expecting 4000 competitors and more than 600 travelling from interstate and overseas to compete.

“This now-premier running event, like many others held across Tasmania, is another fantastic example of the community coming together through exercise.”

Minister Duigan said the Tasmanian Government, through the Festival and Event Support Fund, was supporting the Launceston Running Festival over 2025 and 2026.

“The fund has been created to boost regional visitation and strengthen the Tasmanian economy during the shoulder and winter months, and the Launceston Running festival is a fantastic example of this,” Minister Duigan said.

“Our Government recognises our winter economy is crucial. Our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future is committed to ensuring the off season must be filled with engaging events enticing visitors to stay and travel within our beautiful State.

More information is available here.