Comparison of all 29 parkrun Sydney courses [+ start times]

If you want to parkrun Sydney, it’s worth knowing the difference between parkrun locations to pick your best option.

parkrun (yep, “parkrun” is too cool for a capital letter and it’s definitely not “park run”) is an awesome worldwide initiative to encourage runners of all abilities.

It’s why thousands of Aussie runners have been searching for “parkrun near me” every Friday night since 2011.

It’s a free 5km race on Saturday morning in thousands of locations around the world, including hundreds of parkrun Australia locations.

We’re lucky enough to have 29 parkrun Sydney locations, each with their own challenges and vibe.

Sydney has some of the best and most unique routes in the parkrun Australia collection.

Each Sydney parkrun has a unique offering – there are iconic runs around Sydney landmarks, super fast parkrun courses to set your 5k personal best and scenic, picturesque courses for a bit of weekend chill.

So if you’re searching for “parkrun near me”, here’s the list of every Sydney parkrun, feedback on the course and their Facebook page for updates.

Because the nearest option might not match what you’re looking for in a 5km run (fast vs adventure vs crowd).

(If you’re planning a trip to Melbourne or Geelong and want to explore other parkrun Australia options, here’s our listing of every parkrun in Melbourne and Geelong.)


Got a niggle and need a fast diagnosis?

Bioathletic, one of Sydney’s leading Sports Physiotherapy clinics, has developed an app to provide an on-the-spot provisional injury diagnosis.

It provides fast answers about initial self-treatment, what to avoid and might just help you decide if parkrun is a go for this week!

Comparison of all 29 parkrun Sydney courses [+ start times]
bioathletic app download
Comparison of all 29 parkrun Sydney courses [+ start times]

List of parkrun regions around Sydney

See our winners of “best of parkrun Sydney” awards.


parkrun Sydney – Awards for best locations

Most iconic Sydney location – Centennial Park parkrun

Fastest course – Parramatta parkrun

Most scenic location – Cronulla parkrun

Most adventurous course – Wildflower parkrun


parkrun Sydney – Central

Centennial Park parkrun (7am start) – what could be more “parkrun Sydney” than a run around Centennial Park. Fairly flat and on hard packed gravel, it’s a scenic course. Find the latest updates on their Facebook page here.

GreenWay/Haberfield parkrun (8am start) – two laps around Richard Murden Reserve, it’s a mix of hard surfaces and grass paths so it can suffer after wet weather. A smaller group of runners than most parkruns as it’s one of the newer races. Find the latest updates on their Facebook page here.

St Peters parkrun (8am start) – a popular central Sydney event, the course winds around Sydney Park on hard surfaces with some mild inclines. It can get a little muddy with puddles after decent rain. Find the latest updates on their Facebook page here.

Rhodes parkrun (8am start) – a flat out and back course, Rhodes has a bit of grass but mostly hard surfaces. It’s a faster course (nice and straight) but can be a little congested with pedestrians at times. Find the latest updates on their Facebook page here.

Parramatta parkrun (8am start) – one of the fastest parkrun courses, it heads along the edge of the Parramatta River with a mix of grass and concrete paths. If you’re looking for a PB, this could be the location for you. Find the latest updates on their Facebook page here.

North Sydney parkrun (8am start) – **currently using a temporary course due to council works, this is a four lap course with a number of turns. On the upside, it’s all on asphalt/concrete paths. Find the latest updates on their Facebook page here.

Willoughby parkrun (7am start) – this scenic course moves through urban gardens and over timber bridges. It’s on hard paths but has a relaxed atmosphere for those who want to stop and smell the roses. Find the latest updates on their Facebook page here.

Mosman parkrun (7am start) – a picturesque three lap course along the water’s edge near Spit Bridge, it’s a smaller event with an average of 50 runners. It has some grass paths and a small climb so it’s not particularly quick. Find the latest updates on their Facebook page here.

parkrun Sydney – North

North Sydney parkrun (8am start) – **currently using a temporary course due to council works, this is a four lap course with a number of turns. On the upside, it’s all on asphalt/concrete paths. Find the latest updates on their Facebook page here.

Willoughby parkrun (7am start) – this scenic course moves through urban gardens and over timber bridges. It’s on hard paths but has a relaxed atmosphere for those who want to stop and smell the roses. Find the latest updates on their Facebook page here.

Mosman parkrun (7am start) – a picturesque three lap course along the water’s edge near Spit Bridge, it’s a smaller event with an average of 50 runners. It has some grass paths and a small climb so it’s not particularly quick. Find the latest updates on their Facebook page here.

Curl Curl parkrun (7am start) – this course has it all. It’s fast (although not the fastest), mostly flat with one slight rise and with scenery as you run around the lagoon including over a wooden bridge. Find the latest updates on their Facebook page here.

Wildflower/Ku-ring-gai parkrun (8am start) – with its location in a gorgeous native garden setting, you can imagine that this parkrun is more of a trail run adventure. Not suitable for prams and no pets allowed, it’s a winding challenging course. Find the latest updates on their Facebook page here.

Galston parkrun (8am start) – another scenic course, this three-lapper has a total of 75m of elevation and two bridge crossings. Not a speedy course but it travels through some very pretty parklands. Find the latest updates on their Facebook page here.

parkrun Sydney – South

Cronulla parkrun (7am start) – one of the toughest parkrun Sydney courses, this hilly out-and-back course runs along broken asphalt road which dissolves into a sand and grass-covered trail. It’s a slow journey but right next to the iconic Wanda Beach. Find the latest updates on their Facebook page here.

Menai parkrun (8am start) – a two lap course that heads along grass paths and footpaths, this course has a few twists and turns with some mild gradients that makes it a challenging parkrun. Find the latest updates on their Facebook page here.

Dolls Point parkrun (8am start) – this fast course is an out-and-back along Botany Bay. It’s a perfect course for a fast PB if there’s no wind…otherwise a decent Southerly makes for a long 2nd half. Find the latest updates on their Facebook page here.

Cooks River parkrun (8am start) – another speedy parkrun course, this one consists of two laps along the Cooks River. It’s flat, shady and one of the better courses on a hot day. Find the latest updates on their Facebook page here.

Panania parkrun (8am start) – this course follows a hard path alongside parklands and sporting fields. Two identical laps gives you more chance to enjoy the surrounds. Find the latest updates on their Facebook page here.

Chipping Norton parkrun (8am start) – similar to Cooks River parkrun, this course follows the Georges River along a hard path. It’s a flat fast course without a big crowd. Find the latest updates on their Facebook page here.

parkrun Sydney – East

Kamay/Phillip Bay parkrun (7am start) – a two lap course with water views and some slight inclines throughout. It follows park paths between the cemetery and the beach. Find the latest updates on their Facebook page here.

Centennial Park parkrun (7am start) – what could be more “Sydney” than a run around Centennial Park. Fairly flat and on hard packed gravel, it’s a scenic course. Find the latest updates on their Facebook page here.

parkrun Sydney – North West and West

Rouse Hill parkrun (8am start) – this course winds through open park and bushy paths on mainly hard surfaces. Two laps of the undulating course can be extra tough on a hot day. Find the latest updates on their Facebook page here.

The Ponds parkrun (8am start) – a flat fast course on walkway/cycleway, it’s a single out-and-back route. This parkrun gets a big following of ~400 runners so it can get crowded in the middle of the pack. Find the latest updates on their Facebook page here.

Rooty Hill parkrun (8am start) – another fast course, it follows a wide path with hard surfaces through park areas. Nice course for a shot at our PB with the right weather conditions. Find the latest updates on their Facebook page here.

East Richmond parkrun (8am start) – if you’re looking for flat and fast, this course nails it. Paralleling an aircraft runway, it’s a dead straight out-and-back on concrete paths. Find the latest updates on their Facebook page here.

Penrith Lakes parkrun (8am start) – this course is based at Penrith’s Regatta Centre but varies depending on any events being held in the area. You might get a fast lap of the regatta itself or you might be sent off for two laps of the basin. Find the latest updates on their Facebook page here.

Nepean River parkrun (8am start) – another of parkrun Sydney’s river locations, this course has some grass/cross country running but is mostly on hard paths. A slight incline between paths and two laps of the main course keep it interesting. Find the latest updates on their Facebook page here.

Werrington Lakes Reserve parkrun (8am start) – one of the newest parkrun’s in Sydney, this course is two laps on a hard surface with some turns that might slow your run. Find the latest updates on their Facebook page here.

parkrun Sydney – South West

Panania parkrun (8am start) – this course follows a hard path alongside parklands and sporting fields. Two identical laps gives you more chance to enjoy the surrounds. Find the latest updates on their Facebook page here.

Chipping Norton parkrun (8am start) – similar to Cooks River parkrun, this course follows the Georges River along a hard path. It’s a flat fast course without a big crowd. Find the latest updates on their Facebook page here.

Casula Parklands parkrun (8am start) – the latest addition to the parkrun Sydney collection, it looks like a fairly fast two lap out-and-back course along Georges River. Find the latest updates on their Facebook page here.

Campbelltown parkrun (7am start) – this course is fairly flat with a mix of hard paths and some grass. It consists of a lap of a park and an out-and-back section. Find the latest updates on their Facebook page here.

Camden parkrun (8am start) – this parkrun also runs alongside the Nepean River and follows the cycleway. It’s a flat, quick-ish course given the right weather conditions. Find the latest updates on their Facebook page here.

Picton parkrun (8am start) – a leafy course following Picton Botanic Gardens Bike Track, this flat parkrun caters for everyone with a mix of scenery and speed. Find the latest updates on their Facebook page here.