Noosa’s busiest running weekend has arrived with major road closures now affecting key routes across Noosa Heads and Noosaville as the ASICS Runaway Noosa Marathon returns for a record 2026 edition.

The event is expected to bring more than 9,000 participants to the Sunshine Coast town, with marathon, half marathon, 10km and 5km races taking place on Saturday, May 23. Swim Noosa follows at Main Beach on Sunday, May 24, extending the festival atmosphere across the full weekend.

Organisers have confirmed changed traffic conditions for Saturday, with closures affecting some of Noosa’s most-used roads, including Noosa Drive, Noosa Parade, Weyba Road, Gympie Terrace and Hilton Terrace. Residents, visitors and businesses have been urged to plan ahead, allow extra travel time and use designated parking, shuttle buses or ferry services where possible.

Major Noosa road closures on Saturday

The most significant closures are scheduled for Saturday morning and early afternoon. Noosa Drive between Hibiscus Avenue and Hastings Street is closed from 4am to 7am, while Noosa Parade between Noosa Drive and Witta Circle is closed from 4am to 2pm.

Other affected routes include Noosa Parade westbound between Witta Circle and Weyba Road, Dolphin Crescent, Weyba Road between Elizabeth Street and Gympie Terrace, Gympie Terrace between Weyba Road and the Eumundi Road roundabout, and Hilton Terrace between the Eumundi Road roundabout and Ernest Street. These closures are mainly scheduled from 5am to 12.45pm.

Noosa Parade eastbound between Weyba Road and Witta Circle and Munna Crescent will remain affected until 2pm, with limited local access expected from around 12.30pm. Noosa Parade and Bay Village car parks are also affected from 4am to 2pm.

Parking, shuttle buses and ferry services

Parking close to the event precinct is limited because athlete check-in and the expo are located around one of Noosa’s main parking areas. Event organisers have listed three all-day parking areas at The J on Noosa Drive, the AFL Grounds on Weyba Road and Sunshine Beach Anglican Church on Bicentennial Drive.

Free courtesy shuttle buses are operating on Saturday between key parking areas and Noosa Drive. Services from Noosa Junction to Noosa Drive run from 4am to 7pm, while Bicentennial Drive to Noosa Drive services run from 4am to 3pm. Shuttle buses from the AFL Grounds operate inbound early in the morning and return from 9am to 3pm.

Noosa Ferry is also running early express services from Pelican Boat Hire in Noosaville to Hastings Street, giving runners and spectators another way into the event zone while road closures are in place. Bookings are required for ferry services.

The official Runaway Noosa event transport guide provides the latest shuttle, parking and ferry details for race weekend.

Record crowd brings major visitor boost

The 2026 Runaway Noosa Marathon is being described as the biggest edition in the event’s history. The marathon course starts and finishes on Noosa Parade, with runners following a flat, multi-lap route through Noosa Sound and along the Noosa River.

The wider weekend is expected to deliver a major lift for local accommodation, restaurants, cafes and retailers, with more than 22,000 visitors expected and about $17 million projected to flow into the local economy.

While the temporary road closures will create disruption for some residents and businesses, the event has become one of Noosa’s major sporting weekends, combining mass participation running, tourism and community activity across one of Queensland’s best-known coastal destinations.

Swim Noosa will continue the weekend program at Main Beach on Sunday, with the Noosa Heads Surf Life Saving Club car park scheduled for closure from 4am to 12pm.