All roads, and paths, will lead to the Lower Hunter with the return of the Loxford Maitland Running Festival this weekend.
Hosted by local company H Events, the sporting extravaganza continues to grow each year.
And, 2026 will be no exception, thanks to a new half-marathon course, naming rights sponsor and a late deadline for entries.
“The festival’s set to bring thousands of runners, walkers and spectators to town on Sunday 7 June,” Paul Humphreys said.
“Once again, we’ll transform the Maitland Regional Athletics Centre into a vibrant race-day hub filled with entertainment, hometown businesses and a community atmosphere.
“Maitland’s a bit of a secret, so to speak.
“However, after going out there into the market and telling people about it, the numbers are certainly climbing.
“I think that’s also partly because The Mutual Bank Half-Marathon has been changed this year.
“We’re moved away from a five-lap course, which was a bit grinding, to two.
“It’ll now take runners through Maitland Park, Harold Gregson Reserve and sections of the traditional riverbank loop before finishing back on the athletics track in front of spectators.
“So, I think it’s more interesting.
“People have taken to it…. and entering in droves.
“At the moment, half-marathon running is red-hot.
“It’s sort of a distance between your classic 5km or 10km and a full one.
“So, individuals can push themselves to tick that box where they’re doing a long endurance race but it’s not quite a marathon.”
Apart from the main event, the festival also features the Quarry Mining 12km, The Athlete’s Foot 8km and The Loxford 4km.
“Unfortunately, staging one race, over one distance, isn’t viable these days,” Humphreys told the Newcastle Weekly.
“Creating a program, like ours, not only adds numbers to the event, it gives you a better atmosphere at the finish line.
“Maitland boasts a world-class facility in the Regional Athletics Centre.
“We start and finish there.
“There’s really great infrastructure and it’s a terrific spot for people to sit, particularly with the laps, and high-five their loved ones, family or friends as they come through.
“So, it’s a fabulous venue and enables others to involve themselves in what’s essentially an individual sport.”
Another benefit, according to Humphreys, is the fact the Maitland Running Festival will take place on a long weekend.
“There’s always a good local contingent, especially when you include Newcastle and right up the valley,” he said.
“But, we’re increasingly getting a lot of people from Sydney and the Central Coast.
“Now, with it being the King’s Birthday, which is usually the second weekend in June, more are travelling here for the first time.
“So, it’s worked in our favour.
“Sport tourism is a big thing.
“People who like to run, go away.
“This [event] gives them a chance to spend an extra day or two here.”
Humphreys took time to praise the Maitland community and businesses, too.
“The support we continue to receive, from everyone, has helped turn this into something much bigger than just a running race,” he said.
“It’s become a fantastic community event that welcomes experienced runners to families and first-timers.
“So, a big thanks goes to The Loxford Estate and long-term partners The Mutual Bank, Quarry Mining and The Athlete’s Foot, as well as Tailwind Nutrition, Hunter Resource Recovery and KCE.”
Entries will remain open online right up until race morning, subject to capacity.
For more information or to enter, visit Maitland Running Festival 2026 or contact Paul Humphreys on 0409 684246 or paul@hevents.com.au.
RACE START TIMES
(Sunday 7 June)
- 7am: The Mutual Bank Half-Marathon 21.1km
- 8.45am: Quarry Mining 12km
- 9.45am: The Athlete’s Foot 8km
- 10.30am: The Loxford 4km
For more sports stories:
- Jacob Ure bringing new life to Newcastle’s past
- The Hunter’s most haunted ghostly tales
- Reputation and reality… The Lacey Hickson story
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