Runners are spoilt for choice at Stromlo Forest Park. With a world-class grass running track alongside kilometres of fire trails, there’s something for everyone. Popular with runners from all disciplines and all abilities, come and check it out for yourself.
Robert de Castella Cross Country Running Track
The Robert de Castella Cross Country Running Track is a dedicated 2.5km manicured grass running track, turfed with soft Santa Ana Couch grass.
The circuit has been designed to provide a mixture of fast, flat running combined with some tough and challenging hill sections to test all levels, from beginners to professionals. The track is extremely popular as a training destination for groups of all abilities and backgrounds, and Canberra’s favourite school cross country carnival destination.
Possible circuit distances available on the track include:
- Main loop – 1000 metres
- Hill loop – 500 metres
- Creek loop – 1000 metres
- Full loop – 2500 metres
Booking the Running Track
If your organisation would like to book the Running Track for your next event or for training purposes, visit Book for more information.
The circuit enables a wide range of distances to meet your needs – from a 1km primary school event to multiple lap longer distance runs for national and international cross country events.
The track can also be used as a gateway to trails for trail running events and is regularly used for triathlons and other multisport races. Spectators and media are also well looked after with much of the circuit visible from the spectator pavilion and a number of dedicated spectator viewing points located within easy access around the track.
The Cross Country Running Track is a dedicated running circuit designed for competition, training and recreation. To assist in maintaining the quality of the track for all users, please follow the Conditions of Use and adhere to any other instructions from Stromlo Forest Park management.
- Run in a clockwise direction, unless otherwise directed. Organisers of a planned event may change this procedure at their discretion and must advise all users prior to their participation.
- To minimise wear on the grass, run on the outside of the track (especially on corners) when possible.
- Spikes and studs are NOT permitted.
- Vehicles are NOT permitted on the track (maintenance vehicles excepted).
- Bikes or wheeled equipment are NOT permitted on the track.
- Dogs are NOT permitted on the track.
- Use may be restricted for safety reasons at various times for special events.
- Spectators must stay off the track at all times and only cross with extreme care.
- Ball sports, including golf, are NOT permitted on the track.
- Be conscious and considerate of other runners – slower runners should stick to the outside of the track where they are out of the way of faster runners, while faster runners should give warning they are approaching.
- People using this facility do so at their own risk.
- The track will be closed at times for maintenance purposes.
- The track will be closed during and after instances of heavy rain to prevent damage – please see our events and closures page for any closures.
Running on the trails
Stromlo has always been a popular destination for trail runners, with many of the top names in Australian running having frequented the Stromlo and Deeks Forest trails over the years.
The fire trails of Stromlo Forest Park continue in this tradition, playing host to many runners, walkers and a range of running events. Many runners use the track as a base to loop onto the trails, or explore further afield with popular loops encompassing the Arboretum’s trails.
Check out events and closures for upcoming running events and park maps to explore the trail network with warning that you must stay off mountain bike single tracks and always be aware of bikes approaching at speed and horse riders in the Park who have right of way.
Photo credit: (Slider) Stromlo Running Festival