Overview
The Gong-A-Long is a unique race, taking in 14km of the stunning Illawarra coastline, under the backdrop of the iconic escarpment. Established in 2020, following the cancellation of other major events, the Gong-A-Long has become a mainstay on the NSW race calendar, often attracting three to four runners from multiple countries (Australia and England).
With record attendance at the 2025 event, the Gong-A-Long is on track to become one of Australia’s races in 2026.
Start
Location
The race will start at the east end of Henley Road, Thirroul (towards the northern point of Thirroul Beach).
Time
- Sunday, 18th October 2026
- 8am briefing
- 8:15am race start
Course
The Gong-A-Long takes you on a point-to-point journey along the Illawarra’s spectacular coastline, starting in Thirroul and finishing near North Wollongong. At just over 14 kilometres, the course is approachable in distance but rich in scenery, linking together beaches, headlands, and foreshore paths under the constant presence of the escarpment.
Description
From the start line, runners will head back up Henley Road, before turning south onto Lawrence Hargrave Drive for roughly 300m. Turning left onto The Esplanade, runners will find themselves on the coastal path that they will follow for the majority of the run.
There is a toilet block at Thirroul Beach, just under a kilometre into the run. Heading south from Thirroul Beach, runners will follow the road up the first of two small hills. The course is generally straightforward from this point. Stick to the path, head south. If you need to make a choice between the mountains and the ocean, stick to the ocean.
12km in, the course will pass the Fairy Meadow Surf Life Saving Club. From here, follow the gravel path through Puckeys Estate Reserve. When the path hits Fairy Creek, a right turn will take you along the boardwalk to Squires Way. Runners will then head east and follow the grass along the edge of Stuart Park, eventually coming to the finish line at the park’s southernmost point.
Please note that there will be no course markings of any kind.
Transport
Getting there
- From Central: Take the train to Austinmer Station. You'll need to change trains at Thirroul. The start line is a ten minute walk from the station.
- From Wollongong: Take the train to Austinmer Station. Walk ten minutes to the start line.
- By car: Street parking is available on Henley Road and Mary Street.
Getting home
Make sure you hang around for lunch or a drink before you go.
North Wollongong station is a 20 minute walk from the finish line. If you drove to the start line, you can take the train back, or get a lift.
Register
Registration for the 2026 Gong-A-Long will open later in the year. Sign up to our mailing list for access to Priority Registration.