We are blessed with some incredible running on the Sunshine Coast. This is by no means an exhaustive list, rather a list of locations that we like to run as part of general training and more specific marathon training. Below are just a few of our favourites
Emu Mountain & Surrounds
Emu Mountain forms part of the Southern end of Noosa National Park. The mountain itself is 71 metres of elevation, we generally just run around it. There are some really nice trails through this area with varying surfaces from compact fire trail to rocky single trail. There are many entry points to the trail but the easiest is via Havana East Rd / Coolum State High School. We often run from Coolum and take the Stumers Creek Track before hand.
Coolum to Noosa
A standard long run - Starting at Coolum, run north along the coastal path to Sunshine Beach or Noosa Junction. We often turn around close to Sunrise Beach for a 24 - 26km run. A beautiful run. Concrete footpath for the most part
Noosa National Park
Iconic location for a jog. Beautiful scenery and magnificent trail. The downside is how busy it can get on the Noosa side. To avoid having to find a park in Noosa, enter from the Sunshine Beach side (Parkedge Road). The standard loop of the park is just over 10km.
Nojoor Road Loop
Located in Mudjimba, Nojoor Road is where we do the majority of our big marathon workouts like 4 x 6km or 5 x 5km. It's very flat 4.7km loop with few cars. GPS can be slightly dodgy. Park on Cottonwood Street. Stash your drinks / nutrition on top of your car. Starting from your car, run down Cottonwood, turn right on to Ocean Drive, follow that for around 2km and Nojoor will be the first right hand turn available. Run down it until you get to the pedestrian bridge then this will bring you back to your car. Loop 1 done. Strava Route
Buckby Road
One of the best road runs on the Coast. Starting @ Mrs Browns Diner in Belli Park. Cross Eumundi Kenilworth Road and go straight on to Buckby Road. A bit over 7km of very hilly dirt road, a real strength builder. Once you get to the end of the dirt road, run an extra km on the bitumen if you want water and a toilet at the Cooloolabin Hall. Run back the way you came and if you want a 6km detour and a beautiful view, go down Point Glorious Road. It's 3km out and back. Finish back at Mrs Browns Diner for Breakfast. If you include Point Glorious it rounds out to a 23km run. Extra distance can be found running up and down Browns Road. Strava Route for Buckby out and back
Lake Weyba / Murdering Creek
The trails and dirt roads around Lake Weyba are quite unique due to the remote feel but close proximity to the beach. You can tackle it different ways, Running from Peregian down Wallum Walk to Murdering Creek Road and Lakewood Drive to Weyba. Alternatively you can head North on the trails to Noosa / Girraween Sports Complex. Trail at the Noosa end is fantastic and a little bit sandy on the southern side towards Peregian.