Each year, the Mornington Peninsula Trail Running Festival draws runners and outdoor enthusiasts to Somerville, Victoria, where the landscape takes the lead. The festival’s routes stretch over distances of 10km, 21km, and 42km, offering something for casual runners and seasoned trail warriors alike. Elevation changes average between 100 to 400 meters depending on the chosen distance, challenging legs with rolling hills that ripple beneath open skies and through pockets of forest.

The course is a mix of packed trail, dusty fire roads, and patches of coarse grass, with technical sections that demand focus over loose stones, roots, and occasional slippery slopes. Trees lean in as if to test your resolve—their leaves whispering encouragement or warning in the breeze. In places, the trail skirts creeks that seem to dare runners onward with the pull of their currents.

Timing is key. The festival takes place in late autumn, when the Peninsula’s weather is crisp but forgiving, making early starts ideal to avoid midday warmth and keep hydration manageable. Water stations are thoughtfully spaced, but bringing your own hydration pack is recommended for the longer races. Footwear should offer good grip and stability—trail-specific shoes with rock plates and secure ankle support ensure confident strides.

Somerville’s event culture is vibrant but practical; volunteers line checkpoints with efficient efficiency, while supporters gather at key overlooks, encouraging runners as the terrain steadily shifts from flat stretches to climbs that engage every muscle. The festival also offers family-friendly fun runs and shorter options, ensuring it welcomes all levels.

For seasoned trail runners, the festival is a chance to test endurance against a landscape that refuses to be tamed. For newcomers, it’s an invitation to meet a trail that’s fiercer than pavement but clear enough to be conquered with prepare-and-persistence. No matter the distance, the Mornington Peninsula Trail Running Festival is about embracing the pulse of Somerville’s earth, where every step is a conversation between runner and nature.