Thanks for entering the 2025 The Athlete’s Foot Fernleigh 15.
Get ready for 15 km of leafy bushland, buzzing community spirit and the iconic Fernleigh Tunnel on Newcastle and Lake Macquarie’s much-loved rail trail. It’s going to be an incredible day.

Please read on for all the key race weekend information below.

It’s not too late to join the fun — share this with friends and family and invite them to run, walk or roll the Fernleigh Track alongside you.

We can’t wait to see you out there.
Please pass this information on to any entrants who may not receive this email.

– The H Events Team

Course Information and Race Day Guide — The Athlete’s Foot Fernleigh 15 2025

Course Improvements and Updates

Following last year’s success and continued growth in participation, we’ve made a few updates to improve safety and flow on course:

Finish Area
The finish line will again be located in the grassed area on the southern side of Belmont TAFE off Alick Street – just 270 m past the old station. This area provides plenty of space for spectators and finish-line celebrations.

Start Line Area
The start line will be positioned slightly further down the track to allow for multiple wave starts. Please marshal at Trinity Catholic College (formerly St Pius X High School), follow announcements from the MC, and only move to the track when directed by marshals.

Race Kit Collection

We recommend collecting your kit the day before race day to make your morning stress-free.

Saturday 18 October | 9 am – 5 pm
The Athlete’s Foot Kotara (HomeCo Store) - NOT WESTFIELD

or

Sunday 19 October | 6 am – 7:15 am
Trinity Catholic College (formerly St Pius X High School) -  (Start Marshalling Area)

Your race kit includes your bib (with timing chip), any bus wristband you purchased, and sponsor inclusions.
If collecting for others, you will need to know their email or phone number used when entering and they will need to send you the code. 

A bag drop will be available at Trinity Catholic College (formerly St Pius X) – all bags will be transported to the finish area. Bags will not be returned to the start after the event.

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Weather

October conditions have been warm, so please plan ahead for higher temperatures. With an earlier start time, substantial shade along the course, and regular aid stations, conditions should be comfortable for most runners.
Make sure you are well hydrated before the event and stay alert to your surroundings. If you feel unwell, notify a marshal. Mobile first aid and paramedics will be available along the course and at the finish line.
Tailwind Nutrition will be available at all aid stations, along with water, to support your hydration.

Start Marshalling

The Fernleigh Track is approximately 4 m wide, so start marshalling must be well organised to ensure everyone’s safety.
Please arrive at Trinity Catholic College, formally known as St Pius X High School (Park Avenue, Adamstown) and follow marshal instructions carefully.
Due to limited parking, we recommend being dropped off where possible. Each wave will be escorted from the school to the start via the traffic-controlled crossing — please only cross when directed by traffic marshals.

Course Overview

The course is simple: follow the Fernleigh Track from start to finish.

• Start: Corner of Bailey St and Park Avenue, Adamstown

• Finish: Alick St Belmont (southern side of Belmont TAFE)

• See course map HERE

Race Day Timetable and Waves

6.00 am – Race Office opens (Trinity Catholic College, Park Ave)
7.10 am – Wheelchair athletes marshal
7.15 am – First waves marshalled to start - please wait for your wave
7.25 am – Start – Wheelchair athletes
7.30 am – Start – Elite & Speedy runners (sub 4 min/km male, sub 4:30 min/km female)
7.35 am – Start – Ages Junior to 29 years
7.40 am – Start – Ages 30–39 years
7.45 am – Start – Ages 40–49 years
7.50 am – Start – Ages 50–59 years
7.55 am – Start – Ages 60+ years
8.05 am – First finisher arrives at Belmont (Alick Street) 
9.15 am – Presentation of overall winners
9.30 am – Return buses commence departures from Gen St (200m from finish) 
10.00 am – Fernleigh 1500 for Kids starts

11.00 am – Last bus leaves from finish back to start 

Waves Explained

Waves are designed to reduce congestion on the narrow Fernleigh Track and create a smoother running experience.
Your official time will not start until you cross the start mats.

Waves are age-based, allowing the field to spread out more evenly along the course. The schedule order is:

• Wheelchair athletes

• Elite & Speedy runners (sub 4 min/km male, sub 4:30 min/km female)

• Ages Junior – 29 years

• Ages 30–39 years

• Ages 40–49 years

• Ages 50–59 years

• Ages 60+ years

Each wave will start approximately 5 minutes apart.
If you’re planning on running with friends or family from different age groups, you’re welcome to start together – please join the oldest person’s wave and keep to the left to allow others to pass.

There will be no pacers to avoid large packs forming on the narrow course. Kilometre markers will be displayed every 1 km.

Fernleigh 1500 for Kids

Kids’ race participants will marshal at the finish area on the southern side of Belmont TAFE from 9:45 am.
The 1.5 km out-and-back event starts at 10:00 am. Please ensure all race kits are collected beforehand. Parents may run with their child but should avoid blocking other runners.

Parking and Transport

Limited parking is available at Trinity Catholic College (formerly St Pius X School)- (Park Ave, Adamstown) – vehicles must be removed by 12 pm. Please avoid parking in driveways or restricted zones.

Both Westfield Kotara and HomeCo Kotara (1 km away) offer additional paid parking.

Return buses from Belmont to Adamstown are available for $10. If not purchased during entry, tickets can be added via the entry page. Bus wristbands are included in your race kit – please wear yours to board.
Buses depart from Gen St near the finish from 9:30 am and rotate until 11:00 am.
Purchase Bus Ticket Here

Aid Stations and Toilets

There are four aid stations on course, plus the finish line station:

1. Burwood Rd – 3.1 km – Thanks to Newcastle Runners

2. Whitebridge – 5.2 km – Porta Loo and public toilets near track – Thanks to Night Striders

3. Cowlishaw Rd – 9.2 km – Porta Loo and public toilets – Thanks to 530 Runners

4. Kalaroo Rd – 11.8 km – Thanks to Newcastle Runners

5. Finish Line – Belmont TAFE – Thanks to Charlestown Rotary (portaloo toilets on site this year)

Both water and Tailwind Nutrition Endurance Fuel will be available at every station. 

Toilets are also available at the start, along the course, and next to TAFE building at the finish.

First Aid and NSW Police

Qualified Medical and Police personnel will be on duty at the start, on course, and at the finish compound. Mobile first aid, police teams and paramedics can respond quickly if needed.

Timing and Results

Your timing chip is built into your race bib – please wear it on the front of your shirt or singlet and avoid folding it.

Results and splits will be available on the Multisport Australia website. 

Race Photos

Official race photos will be captured by our friends at Marathon Photos.
Visit their website the day after the event, search your bib number, and view or purchase your images.

Presentations

Overall prizes will be presented once final positions are confirmed (approximately 9:15 am).
While age-category results will be listed, no age-category prizes will be presented.

Bag Drop

A secure bag drop will be available at Trinity Catholic College (formerly St Pius X) on Sunday morning.
Bags will be transported to the finish area – please collect them there after your run.
Bags will not be returned to the start after the event.

Volunteers

A huge thank you to our volunteers from Trinity Catholic College, Newcastle Runners, 530 Runners, Night Striders, and Charlestown Rotary Club.
They make the event possible – please show them your thanks out on the track.