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As the weather warms up in Queensland’s south-east corner, the attention of the trail running community turns to the SEQ Trail Series.

This eight-race series, now in its 13th edition, features races on beautiful country in Brisbane and the hinterlands of both the Gold and Sunshine Coasts. Four events take place across October and November each year, and another four in February and March.

Each event features both long and short course races, making it the perfect opportunity for trail curious folks to dip their toes in the trail racing scene. Long courses start at 10.8k and range up to 18.3k while the shortest course comes in at just 7.3k and the longest of the short course events runs to 12.6k.

One thing that unites these eight events is that the courses are beautiful, winding through a variety of landscapes and foliage.

Many runners enter the full series, which earns them a discount on the entry fee and a free series singlet, which each year features a bright and colourful depiction of local fauna. For the 2025-26 series, the koala is the star.

First, second and third at each race take home medals, and at the front of the field there is a series championship in both the long and short courses with prizes for the top three in each.

Back-of-the-pack runners can still take home a prize with a host of random prize draws as the presentations are being made. At that point, I’m usually onto my second sizzled sausage and coffee - it’s important to refuel after a race and those needs are always catered for.

To whet your appetite, here’s a quick preview of each event:

Enoggera Reservoir

Each year the series kicks off with this out and back trek around the back of Enoggera Reservoir, just a dozen kilometres from Brisbane’s CBD. The races start at the SEQ Water facility at the foot of the dam, and skirt the “ressie” as it’s affectionately known.

The short course consists pretty much entirely of fire trails, so it’s an easy introduction for newbies. There is some single track on the long course. The hills do pack a punch though - there are not a lot of flat sections to cruise around. One hill in particular, around 4.5k into each race, is vicious.

Pomona

Event 2 takes place in the Sunshine Coast hinterland town of Pomona, nestled amongst the Glasshouse Mountains. The races start at the Cooroy/Pomona Lions Club Hall and heads out around Mt Cooroora.

The short course is an out and back, but the long course is a lollypop shape - you run out along the stick, around the lolly then back down the stick to finish. Both courses feature steep climbs, but there are also relatively flat sections that run along ridgelines.

Numinbah Valley

It’s off to the beautiful Gold Coast hinterland for event 3, and what in my opinion is the gnarliest but also most picturesque of the SEQ Trail Series races. The Numinbah Valley course is just south of Hinze Dam, and the vegetation is lush and green.

There are lots of creek crossings, and you run through both remnant rainforest and soaring gum trees. It really is a feast for the eyes. Not so much the legs though - it’s hilly and there is one particularly brutal hill that both short and long course runners will hit with about 4k to go.

But if you survive that, it’s a gorgeous downhill cruise to the finish line.

Bayview

What Bayview lacks in length and elevation, it makes up for in views. This is a course that winds around Mt Cotton and features views to Moreton Bay - hence the name. It’s another very pretty course, apart from the stretch that runs along the fence line bordering a chicken farm.

Both long and short courses are circuits and this is another ideal event for beginners - not too long, not too much vert and reasonably close to the city. It’s not all easy going though. Both courses finish with a bunch of switchbacks through a very steep downhill section.

It’s a precarious finale that more often than not keeps the medics busy patching up broken skin.

Bunyaville

Another very accessible event to kick-off the post-Christmas half of the series and the site of the Bunyaville trail Parkrun. Both courses are circuits and feature lots of up and down - there are not a lot of flat sections to enjoy.

This also tends to be one of the hottest events in the series, in part because it’s in February, but also because there is a long stretch to finish each course that’s exposed to the sun. So bring plenty of hydration - you’ll need it.

Wyaralong Dam

Wyaralong Dam, event 6 in the series, is a relatively new course, drafted into the itinerary to replace Hinze Dam which is no longer available. Located near Beaudesert, south of Brisbane, it’s another beautiful location.

The course is an out and back and tracks along the lakeside for its entire duration. There is one big climb in the long course and it comes just before halfway - and just after the short-course runners have turned for home.

Ewen Maddock Dam

If you don’t like hills, but you love trails, Ewen Maddock is the course for you! With just 136m of vert on the long course and a very cushy 72m on the short course, this is one event that won’t leave your quads and calves shredded.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, it’s another gorgeous course that heads along the water’s edge. Both long and short courses are out and back, with a loop or two thrown in to keep things interesting.

One highlight of both courses is a section that runs out along a path with water views on both sides. And at the finish, you can literally run straight across the finish line and into the dam’s swimming area to cool off. That’s the way to finish a race!

Daisy Hill

The series finishes with by far the longest race on the itinerary, running through Daisy Hill Conservation Park, a koala habitat in Logan City.

Both courses run around the back of a cricket field and football pitches, then across a duck pond via boardwalks. A Buddist temple and pagoda is the next item of interest before the course hits the conservation park proper.

One treat for the long course runners is a trip around the old quarry in the park which these days looks like a very inviting oasis. On a hot morning, it can be very tempting indeed.

Upcoming Events

There are way too many events for me to list everything that’s happening around the country, but here is a selection of upcoming races (with a bias towards South East Queensland).

The Running Calendar website is a great source if you want a comprehensive understanding of what’s available around Australia.