Somebody just asked me what are the best running events in Australia, so although my opinion will differ significantly from others, here is a quick list of the runs I would like to do or have loved (keeping in mind I don't really like crowds).
I have a goal to run a marathon in every state/territory in Australia, so I still need to research and decide on Tasmania, NSW, SA, WA and NT! (All suggestions welcome.) I had originally thought Cadbury's marathon but I've changed my mind on that one. I'm looking into Point to Pinnacle (http://www.pointtopinnacle.com.au). I'm still unsure about other states. So here's my unfinished list:
1. Canberra Marathon - my first marathon and I loved it! I want to go back and run the road 50km event.
http://www.runningfestival.com.au
2. You Yangs 30km run - I ran the 30km and plan on running it again (next time I plan on running it faster!)
http://www.trailsplus.com.au/you-yangs/
3. Mornington Running Festival - I ran the Half marathon and loved it! I'll definitely run it again :-)
http://www.morningtonrunningfestival.com
4. Two bays trail run - I ran the 28km in 2014 and trained for (but had to pull the pin due to injury) the 56km for 2015. It has an amazing atmosphere and I'd recommend you run it at least once.
http://www.twobaystrailrun.com
5. Portsea Twilight run - we run this every year and it's one of my favourite runs. It's short, scenic, hilly and fun :-)
6. Puffing Billy run - 13km run against the train. Awesome hilly run and great atmosphere. Definitely one to participate in :-)
http://www.puffingbilly.com.au/news-events/great-train-race/
7. Great Ocean Road Marathon - entered for 2015 :-) It's supposed to be beautiful!
http://www.greatoceanroadmarathon.com.au
8. My favourite flat runs so far: City2Sea Melbourne and Australia Day Run on the Mornington Peninsula. (http://www.runningcalendar.com.au/event/city2sea-melbourne/) and (http://www.ausdayfunrun.com.au)
9. Sunshine Coast Marathon - on my bucket list. The Sunshine Coast is one of my favourite places I've ever been to (and lived in)!
http://www.sunshinecoastmarathon.com.au
10. Glasshouse Mountains Sunshine Coast and/or Blackall 50 - I need to do more homework on this one but it's been on my radar for quite some time. I'd love to run Glasshouse Mountains but I don't want to run 100km there.
http://www.blackall100.com/eventMaps50.html
11. Wilson's Prom 80km - I'd love to run Wilson's Prom and for some reason I'm set on doing the 80km event.
http://runningwild.net.au/wilsons-prom-100/80km-course/
12. Coast 2 Kosci 240km - This is a pipe dream! But hey... we've all got to have dreams!
http://www.coast2kosci.com