Half of Australians are planning on taking a 'runcation' in 2025
Australia's appetite for running hit an all-time high in 2024. If you didn't join a run club at some point, you're almost in the minority. Given its surge in popularity, it's a natural progression that running has turned into one of the biggest travel trends of 2025. In fact, new data from Skyscanner reveals that 50 per cent of Aussies are planning a 'runcation'.
If you're not a runner, the thought of flying somewhere to voluntarily break a sweat (and maybe a few bones) probably sounds wild. But you know what they say about that runner's high!
A solid 39 per cent of the 2,000 Aussies surveyed say they're travelling for a marathon in 2025 – and the numbers back it up. Searches for flights to Adelaide during the Bravehearts' 777 Marathon in Glenelg are up 15 per cent year-on-year, while the Perth Marathon in October has seen a massive 36 per cent spike.
It's not just about crossing the finish line either. Almost half (45 per cent) of Australians say they're motivated to engage in 'run travel' as a way to explore new places, and more than 80 per cent plan to extend their stay beyond the race to explore the destination further. In fact, 45 per cent have added an extra three to four days, and a third are willing to spend between $2,000 and $3,000 on an overseas running trip.
From world-famous marathons to off-the-grid trails, Skyscanner has teamed up with Aussie running legends Lachlan and Stefen Lamble – brothers behind Lambros Army – to map out the world's top running destinations. One of their top ten global picks is the Adelaide Hills, particularly the Waterfall Gully and Mount Lofty route in Cleland National Park or the Belair Park Waterfall Circuit. Both trails are a bit off the beaten track, offering a mix of short ascents and descents across diverse terrain to build endurance, plus stunning views of the city as your reward. You can check out more of the world's most amazing running destinations here.
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Wales Online
18 hours ago
- Wales Online
Two young Welsh women among 15 who perished in backpacker hostel arson that will never be forgotten
Two young Welsh women among 15 who perished in backpacker hostel arson that will never be forgotten Natalie Morris and Sarah Williams died in the blaze started by killer Robert Long at the Palace Backpackers Hostel in Australia 25 years ago Natalie Morris, 28, from Merthyr Tydfil and Sarah Williams, 23, from Cefn Coed, died in the backpackers hostel fire A quarter of a century has passed since a loner set light to the Palace backpackers' hostel in Australia in a shocking act that led to the deaths of 15 people. Memorial events are being held to mark the 25th anniversary of the deadly blaze in the small Queensland town of Childers on June 23 2000. The horrific tragedy left survivors in trauma, local people deeply shocked and the bereaved devastated. For the families of Natalie Morris, 28, from Merthyr Tydfil and Sarah Williams, 23, from Cefn Coed, who lost their lives that night, it was a personal tragedy with the added pain that the young women perished halfway across the globe, far from loved ones, on what should have been the trip of a lifetime. Natalie and Sarah were among seven travellers from Britain, along with three from the Netherlands, three Australians, one from Japan and a South Korean who died in their beds that night after a deranged killer torched the building. Sign up for our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here. Escape from the deadly blaze was hampered by an exit blocked with furniture and barred windows. In 2006 an inquest into the deaths revealed that emergency exits at the hostel had been obstructed by bunk beds, doors and windows were nailed closed or barred, fire alarms weren't operational and, with 80 guests inside on the night of the fire, the premises was overcrowded. Article continues below Kelly Symonds from Aberfan, a former school friend who'd travelled to Australia with Natalie and Sarah, managed to escape the inferno at the near-century-old converted pub. In the midst of the horror a fellow guest managed to squeeze her through the barred window of the room in which they were sleeping. Natalie Morris Robert Long, a loner who had previously been evicted from the building lit the fire deliberately that night. After being kicked out of the hostel he set fire to it in the early hours of June 23 2000. In 2002 the drifter and fruit picker was sentenced to life in prison for murder and 15 years for arson. Quarter of a century on the community of Childers, 180-miles north of Brisbane, has never been forgotten. The community is gathering with survivors and the bereaved this weekend to remember those whose lives were cut short. After the fire many survivors were temporarily housed locally at the Isis Cultural Centre, where some of the memorial events will take place. The Palace Backpackers Hostel in Childers, Australia, is demolished, Wednesday, Feb 13, 2002, 18 months after 15 backpackers were killed in a fire at the hostel. (Image: AP ) Memorials, led by Bundaberg Regional Council will run between June 21 and 23 and include a memorial vigil at the Sacred Heart Church in the town followed by a performance project called "The Palace" at the Isis Cultural Centre. There will be two public performances of "The Palace" on Saturday, June 21 followed by a private, invitation-only performance on Monday, June 23rd, the anniversary of the fire. The Childers Arts Space in the Palace Memorial Building, will also be open for quiet reflection throughout the weekend but will be closed to the public on June 23rd for the private memorial. Inside the space is The Palace Backpackers Memorial, a memorial wall by Sam Di Mauro containing 15 memory boxes, each dedicated to one of the victims, and a portrait Taking a Break in the Field by Josonia Palaitis. Visitors will be able to leave messages of remembrance for the victims, their families, and survivors. Many in the town still remember that night. Residents knitted blankets and donated food and backpacks for survivors, many of whom had lost everything in the fire. Local people cooked for survivors and local businesses helped with food, clothing, and other items they needed. Princess Anne visited a few weeks after the blaze to meet the surviving backpackers and others involved in the aftermath. When he was jailed Long, then 37, was told he could not apply for parole for 20 years. In 2020 his application for freedom caused outrage and opposition, including from Natalie's grieving father Ken Morris. Long was denied parole that year but applied again for a second time earlier this summer. Australian media has reported that the president of the Queensland Parole Board will now consider whether to limit Long's ability to apply for parole through a restricted prisoner declaration. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported a statement from Queensland Corrective Services saying: "The parole application is not being considered while the restricted prisoner matter is determined by the president." A decision on the declaration will be made after victims have been given time to make submissions. When Long previously applied for bail survivors mounted a petition and said he should never be freed. In 2020 Dutch survvor of the blaze Rob Jansen launched an internet petition calling for Long's parole application to be denied forever. "We, the survivors of the blaze, are trying to reach the attention of the Parole Board Queensland, to convince them that Robert Paul Long should remain behind bars and serve time for the rest of his life," he said. Killer Robert Long (Image: AP ) A year after the fire that stole their daughters Natalie's parents, Ken and Yvonne Morris and Sarah's parents Ryland and Margaret Williams attended the opening of the memorial in Childers in 2001. Yvonne has since passed away and Kens spoke about his disgust at Long's bid for parole in 2020. Speaking in 2013 Sarah's mother said: "'We just have to try to get on with our lives and we are struggling. We loved them so much." Ken Morris expressed what no parent ever wants to go through: "We are broken hearted." It is this pain that the comunity of Childers knows it can never erase, but hopes to ease with memorial events this weekend. Article continues below
Daily Record
a day ago
- Daily Record
Jason Day shares bizarre bus experience before Travelers Championship charge
Aussie ace got a feeling he didn't expect as he scraps for glory at Travelers Buffeted Jason Day reckons a bizzare bus moment helped brace an impressive charge at TPC River Highlands. The Aussie star fired into the mix at the Travelers Championship with a sizzling second-day as he defied the blustery conditions. Day knew it was going to be a long day even before he got to the course as, when sitting on his coach, he started to get a weird feeling. The Major champ explained: 'It's one of those days where you wake up, I knew I had an afternoon tee time, and I'm sitting in my bus and the bus is moving. I'm like: That's pretty strong wind to move the bus! 'Then you get out and I decide to check the weather. It was 15 to 20 miles an hour, but gusts of 40. You're looking forward to it, but you also know it's going to be a grind through the day. "It was really difficult to have a correct warm-up because of the 40 miles an hour gusts on the range. When it's windy, I would say a majority of the guys out there get really fast with their tempo, so it's very difficult to time everything correctly because you're obviously battling the elements and you're trying to hit a shot and everyone gets a little bit quick. "I got a little bit ahead of it and started leaving things out to the right just because I was a little bit late. Then the back nine was a lot better for me because I found my groove a little bit.' Day is determined to capitalise on his position at the halfway mark as he keeps making progress from injury issues. His decision to play straight again straight after the US Open is paying off as he sits just one behind leaders Scottie Scheffler, Justin Thomas and Tommy Fleetwood and he said: 'I took a day off. But it's difficult because I don't want to miss this event because I absolutely love this event. "Travelers does a fantastic job. People here in Cromwell, or Connecticut, at least, they enjoy having the tournament here. I think it goes both ways. "The fans and even the players don't realise how good we have it here. I think everyone is just really happy that the tournament is here and I think we take it for granted sometimes. 'When you're coming out of a US Open, I typically would take the week off, so it was very difficult for me to miss this one. With some injuries I've had, I've missed two Signature Events and I'm a little behind. "This is my 12th event for the year., so I'm a little bit in catch-up mode right now, I've got to try and play as much as I can. I feel good. I finished 23rd [at US Open]. "I wasn't really in contention. I was close enough, but far enough away where there wasn't a lot of stress on my shoulders last week, so I was able to take a day off on Monday and get out here Tuesday and prep the way that I wanted to. I feel very energised. I've missed a lot of golf, so I should feel pretty good.' Day isn't clear of issues with tape around his left wrist and said: 'It was a strain, so anytime I stabilise it, it feels pretty solid. I wouldn't be surprised if I keep wearing it from here on in.' The Aussie knows he'll need to keep his foot to the pedal over the weekend and added: 'Thomas shooting 64 was very solid. I'm assuming he went off earlier, which means he got a lot of the crazy wind. "When we came in just a minute ago, the wind started dying down a little bit. That was some good playing, But it's not surprising. I wouldn't be surprised if the tournament ends around somewhere between 18/20-under or so from here. "It's definitely a golf course you can get after. It's also a head scratcher, too, because you can walk off two-over par for the day and go: How did I shoot that? I've had a good first two days. Looking forward to the weekend.'
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- The Herald Scotland
Scotland's best summer walks for spectacular sunrises and sunsets
Cairnpapple Hill, near Torphichen, West Lothian Many of Scotland's fascinating Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments, stone circles and cairns appear to have been built around the position of the sun at the summer and winter solstices. Among those thought to have been used in this vein is Cairnpapple Hill. An important site for ceremonies and burials for at least 4,000 years – its Neolithic henge dates from about 3,800 BCE, later used for Bronze Age rituals. Not only does it provide a powerful connection to the past, but it occupies a lofty perch proffering incredible views across Central Scotland to the Bass Rock and Berwick Law in the east and the distant mountains of Arran to the west. Afterwards head to the Hideaway Cafe at Beecraigs Country Park where the menu includes soups, sandwiches, pasta dishes, slushies, ice cream and homemade cakes. Read more of Susan's Scottish picks Montrose Basin, Angus A while back I saw a breathtaking sunset picture that, at first glance, I mistook for an oil painting rather than a photograph. It showed Montrose Basin in late June and the vivid colours of the sky – every shade of pink, orange and red – reflecting off the water were spellbinding. Here's hoping for more of the same in the days to come. The Scottish Wildlife Trust is hosting a guided summer solstice walk from 7pm-9pm on Saturday, June 21, 2025, with the chance to see brown hare and roe deer, as well as mute swans, skylarks, yellowhammers and shelducks. There's a small coffee shop at the Montrose Basin Visitor Centre. This closes at 5pm, so, if you're heading along a bit later, aim to grab a bite to eat in nearby Montrose. The Roo's Leap restaurant, despite the distinctly Aussie-sounding moniker, offers a globe-trotting odyssey of international cuisine, from quesadillas and katsu curry to bitterballen and Cajun king prawns. Bird watching at Montrose Basin (Image: J Brogan) Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh With its wow-inducing, 360-degree panoramas across the Edinburgh skyline, Firth of Forth, Fife and the Lothians, Arthur's Seat is a magnificent vantage point – haar permitting – for a life-affirming daunder. Seen from afar this extinct volcano in Holyrood Park – which rises to 823ft (251m) – variously resembles a recumbent lion, or the rounded backside of an elephant with its trunk stretching out in front, depending on your perspective. The Sheep Heid Inn in Duddingston is a perfect post-walk pit stop, serving steaks, pasta, burgers and stone-baked pizzas. The shared plates are top-tier, with a selection that includes padron peppers, slow-cooked beef croquettes and halloumi fries. Kinnoull Hill, Perthshire With its bird's eye view of the winding, silvery waters of the River Tay and the photogenic folly of Kinnoull Tower, this is always a joyous spot for a sunrise hike. In fact, Kinnoull Hill is gorgeous at any time of the day, home to mature woodland with beech and pine trees. Afterwards head to Perth's cafe quarter for a yummy brunch – or to grab coffee and a sweet treat. The French brasserie Cafe Tabou is the place to go for delectable eggs (benedict, royale, scrambled, omelettes) and freshly baked pastries. Hinterland is another delightful option, with tasty bagels, topped toasts and filled rolls – the menu even has a 'cake for breakfast' section. Ayrshire Coastal Path If you're more of a sunset person, than an early bird who loves catching a sunrise, then you probably need a west-facing adventure, with the Ayrshire Coastal Path ideal in that respect. Covering 106 miles (170km) from Glenapp Kirk to Skelmorlie, it boasts a long list of castles, beaches, harbours and picture-postcard landscapes. For a sandy beach stroll with impressive vistas, take your pick from Ayr, Troon or lesser-known gems such as Maidens. The stretch around Lendalfoot is known for its unusual coastal geology, with the brilliantly named sea stacks 'Forest of Rocks' and the 'Old and Young Laird'. Dunure is another scenic setting with its pretty harbour and crumbling castle ruins. The village has two excellent eateries, The Harbourside and The Anchorage. Ayrshire Coastal Path (Image: unknown) Susan Swarbrick is a columnist and freelance writer who loves history and the outdoors. Follow her on X @SusanSwarbrick and Bluesky @
