Sun Run returns on 6 February 2027, bringing runners and walkers to a coastal course from Dee Why to Manly across two distances.
Before the day warms, the Northern Beaches have a particular stillness. The first light settles over the ocean, the surf begins its steady movement towards the sand and the streets around Dee Why take on the quiet energy of an early summer morning. Then, gradually, the coastline begins to stir.
On Saturday 6 February 2027, thousands of participants will gather at Dee Why for the 17th annual Sun Run, a community event that follows the coast south towards Manly Beach. Some will arrive with a time in mind, others with friends or family beside them. There will be experienced runners preparing for the 10-kilometre course, casual joggers finding their rhythm and walkers looking forward to covering the distance at their own pace.
The event offers two routes, 7 kilometres and 10 kilometres, both beginning on The Strand at Dee Why and finishing at South Steyne in Manly. Between the start and finish, the course passes through a stretch of coastline that gives the event much of its character, taking in Curl Curl, Freshwater and Queenscliff.
Organised by Northern Beaches Council, Sun Run is designed to welcome a broad range of abilities. It is a sporting event, but it is also a way to experience the coastline on foot, moving through familiar beachside neighbourhoods before much of the usual Saturday activity begins.
For participants, the morning will be measured in kilometres, personal goals and the steady movement towards the finish. For spectators, it will offer a chance to watch the Northern Beaches come together in a shared celebration of movement and community.
Sun Run And The Character Of The Northern Beaches
The route is one of the defining features of the Sun Run. Starting at The Strand in Dee Why, the course moves south through a sequence of coastal suburbs, each with its own relationship to the water. Curl Curl has a strong surf culture and a broad sweep of beach; Freshwater carries a deep place in Australian surfing history; Queenscliff marks the northern edge of the Manly coastline.
For much of the way, the ocean will be a companion to the course. Participants will pass beachside streets and open views, with the changing light and the sound of the surf providing a natural backdrop. The landscape is not simply scenery to be passed at speed. It is part of what makes the event distinctive, connecting the physical challenge with the everyday life of the peninsula.
The Northern Beaches are well suited to an event that moves between communities rather than remaining within a single venue. The point-to-point route gives the morning a sense of progress: a start in Dee Why, a passage through neighbouring coastal suburbs and a finish beside one of Sydney's best-known beaches.
For locals, the course will pass through familiar territory. For visitors, it will offer a concentrated introduction to a stretch of Sydney that is often best understood on foot, with time to notice the changes in coastline and neighbourhood along the way.
Two Distances, Different Ways To Take Part
The 7km and 10km courses will allow participants to choose a distance that suits their experience and ambitions. The longer route will appeal to runners working towards a personal best or looking for a measured challenge. The 7km option will provide a shorter alternative for those who prefer a more relaxed outing.
Sun Run is intended for more than competitive runners. The event welcomes joggers, walkers and participants who require assistance or additional support, with designated start groups helping to manage the field. The 10km includes an open group for runners, walkers and pushers, while the 7km uses a self-seeded start group, with walkers and pushers asked to position themselves towards the back.
The 10km course is measured in accordance with recognised international guidelines and certified by World Athletics. The 7km distance is an approximate measurement. For participants who enjoy the structure of a timed event, the 10km offers the more formal race experience; for others, the shorter route is an opportunity to take part without making the morning solely about pace.
The event's inclusive approach is part of its appeal. A group of friends can enter different distances and meet at the finish, while families can choose a challenge that accommodates a range of ages and abilities. Children aged five to 15 can enter at a reduced rate, and children under five can participate free of charge, subject to the event's registration conditions.
Sun Run 2027: Start Times And Race Morning
The event will begin early, while the air is still relatively cool and the coastline is waking up. Race headquarters at the Dee Why start line will open at 5.30am on Saturday 6 February.
The 10km event will start first, with several start groups released in stages. The seeded Black and Pink groups are scheduled for 6.30am, followed by the Blue group at 6.45am and the Purple open group at 7am. The 7km event will begin at 7.35am.
These staggered starts are designed to give participants room to move safely along the course. Entrants will need to select an appropriate group when registering, and start group availability may change. The published schedule is subject to change, so participants should check the official website and their race information closer to the date.
The finish will be at South Steyne, near Manly Beach. By the time the final participants arrive, the morning will be well underway and the beachside streets will be filling with the usual weekend activity. The finish area will provide a natural meeting point for participants and supporters, with the satisfaction of completing the course followed by the prospect of breakfast or a swim nearby.
Because the event is point-to-point, transport planning is worth considering before race day. Participants will finish in Manly, some distance from the Dee Why start. Checking public transport options and arranging a meeting place with family or friends will make the journey more straightforward. Those travelling by car should also review road closures and parking information as event day approaches.
A Community Event With A Charitable Purpose
While the course and distances provide the sporting framework, Sun Run also has a wider community purpose. Participants are encouraged to use their entry as an opportunity to raise funds for charities working across Australia.
The 2026 event raised more than $105,000 for charitable organisations, exceeding its fundraising target. For 2027, the organisers aim to raise more than $100,000 again, with participants able to create fundraising pages during the registration process or make donations to support someone taking part.
This connection between physical activity and fundraising gives the event another dimension. A runner may be chasing a personal time, while a walker may be taking part in support of a cause that has touched their family or community. The same course can hold different meanings for the people moving along it.
There is also a collective quality to a mass participation event. The effort of thousands of individuals becomes a shared undertaking, with the presence of spectators, volunteers and local supporters contributing to the atmosphere. The coastline becomes a meeting place, and the event offers a visible reminder of how a community can gather around both recreation and generosity.
For Northern Beaches Council, the Sun Run has become an established part of the local calendar. Its 17th edition will continue a tradition that brings visitors and residents together while directing attention towards charitable causes beyond the finish line.
Preparing For Sun Run 2027
Registrations opened on 9 November 2026, with early bird pricing available until Thursday 26 November, unless the allocation is exhausted sooner. The event has sold out in each of the past four years, including 2026, when 10,000 participants registered. Those considering taking part will be better placed to secure an entry by making a decision early rather than waiting until the new year.
The published early bird prices are $55 for adults entering the 10km and $45 for children aged five to 15. For the 7km, adult entry is $45 and the child price is $35. Children under five can enter free of charge.
Standard pricing will apply from 27 November 2026 to 7 January 2027, followed by late pricing from 8 January to 28 January 2027. At standard rates, adult entry will be $65 for the 10km and $55 for the 7km. Late entry will cost $75 and $65 respectively. The corresponding child prices will also increase across those periods. All listed fees include GST, booking and processing charges.
Registrations are scheduled to close at 5pm on Thursday 28 January 2027, unless the event sells out earlier. There will be no race-day registration. Participants should also take care when choosing a start group, as the group selected during registration cannot be changed once the entry is complete.
Preparation need not be complicated for those entering the shorter distance, but the course still deserves respect. Participants should consider their current fitness, allow time to build up their walking or running distance and follow the event's advice about race-day arrival. The early start means a pre-dawn departure for many people, so planning transport, clothing and breakfast the night before will help make the morning less hurried.
Those with accessibility or inclusion requirements are encouraged to contact Northern Beaches Council before attending. The event organisers can provide information about arrangements for participants who need additional support.
A Morning That Belongs To The Coast
There are many ways to experience the Northern Beaches, but travelling the coastline on foot offers a particular perspective. The distance between Dee Why and Manly is familiar to locals who drive it or move between its beaches, yet the rhythm changes when the road is given over to thousands of people running and walking together.
The Sun Run will bring that movement to the shoreline in the early hours of a summer Saturday. Some participants will focus on the clock; others will take in the view, keep pace with a friend or simply enjoy the feeling of reaching the finish. The event makes room for these different motivations without asking everyone to approach the morning in the same way.
By the time the final runners and walkers reach South Steyne, Manly will be settling into the day. The beach, cafés and streets will be ready for the familiar weekend flow, while participants will have the satisfaction of having crossed a stretch of coastline under their own steam.
For some, the lasting memory will be a personal best. For others, it may be the company, the early light over the water or the encouragement exchanged along the course. The Sun Run's appeal lies in bringing those experiences together, turning a coastal route into a shared morning and giving the Northern Beaches another reason to gather beside the sea.
Event Details
Event: Sun Run 2027
Date: Saturday, 6 February 2027
Location: Dee Why to Manly, Northern Beaches, Sydney NSW
Start: The Strand, Dee Why
Finish: South Steyne, Manly Beach
Distances: 7km and 10km
Race Headquarters Opens: 5.30am
10km Start Groups:
- 6.30am – Black seeded and Pink sub-50-minute groups
- 6.45am – Blue sub-60-minute group
- 7am – Purple open group
7km Start: 7.35am
Entry Fees – Early Bird Until 26 November 2026:
- 10km adults: $55
- 10km children aged 5–15: $45
- 7km adults: $45
- 7km children aged 5–15: $35
- Children under five: Free
Registration Closing: 5pm, Thursday 28 January 2027, unless sold out earlier. No race-day registration.
Organiser: Northern Beaches Council
Official event information and registration: https://www.sunrun.com.au/
Start times and entry allocations may change. Check the official website for updates before race day.