The streets of Toowoomba came alive this morning as almost 3000 eager participants took part in the third annual Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport Running Festival.

Spectators lined the streets as perfect conditions greeted participants in pursuit of a challenge and a spectacle of healthy activity on the long weekend.

ASICS Half Marathon

Brisbane runner Robert Collins scored a dominant victory in the ASICS Half Marathon, finishing well clear of his rivals in a time of 1:11:34 to the cheers of his wife Claire and daughter Paige.

Collins, a two-time winner of the Sunshine Coast Marathon, thrived in his first hit-out on the challenging Toowoomba course to score his first ever half marathon victory ahead of Beau Harvey (1:14:06).

“It was very hilly so it was a good hit out,” said Collins.

“I’m doing Sydney Marathon later this year, so that’s going to be hilly one so yeah it was good to condition the legs a bit.

“Through about the first 7km I had another runner with me but I was solo from 7km onwards and was just battling myself.

“It was great to have my wife and daughter here.”

Toowoomba runner Beau Harvey – 2nd place Half Marathon

“It’s pretty hilly out there but I run it quite a bit so that helped knowing where the hills were.

“The crowds were good – lots of noise and that helps you get up the hills.

Two-time Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport Marathon winner Jamie Lacey finished third in a time of 1:14:17.

“It was pretty tough – there is nowhere to hide on the hills out there – it was a good competitive race and I was happy to get it finished.

“Great crowd turnout for Toowoomba.”

Brisbane runner Cassie Fien claimed victory in the women’s half marathon in a time of 1:20:52.

“It was really brutal out there today – the hills were really tough. It was the hilliest course I’ve ever raced actually – it was really tough but really rewarding.

“Toowoomba has put on an absolutely beautiful day for us today, the camaraderie – everyone’s hurting at the same level but it’s all relative and it was just really cool to share the road on a Sunday all over wellbeing and fitness.

“I didn’t have a plan – I got the word that it was really hilly so I just kind of went out conservatively and just kind of played it out . There was a couple of those hills right at the end and I didn’t know if they were going to end but I did get up them and it was really rewarding once you finished.

Toowoomba local and defending women’s half marathon champion Lily Dolton finished second in a time of 1:24:26.

“It was pretty tough. I just tried to hang on to the leader but she was just so strong today.

“I was a bit slower this year (compared to last year). I think mentally I just wasn’t really in it.

“It’s nice to run a race in your hometown and yeah the hills were a bit tough today, but I think it’s a unique race in that sense.”

Visit Toowoomba Region 10km Run

Sunshine Coast based university student Rohan Hickey scorched the Visit Toowoomba Region 10km course to win in a time of 32:34, just shy of the Toowoomba course record (32:21).

“I was really happy. I was trying to go for the course record, but I think I might have just got over it,” said Hickey.

“It’s a couple minutes slower than I normally do but that’s what I was expecting with all the hills. It’s probably the hardest road course I’ve ever done, it was brutal.

“It’s a great course, up at Prince Henry Heights looking out over the mountains was really beautiful and there were plenty of spectators.

“It’s really well organised.”

Toowoomba Road Runner member Meg Reeves made the most of her home track advantage to claim line honours in the Toowoomba Region 10km Run in a time of 40:18.

“It was amazing, I live in Toowoomba and run around these streets with my dog at a steady pace but I tried to up it today without Betty pulling me along,” said Reeves.

“The spirit, the community support, hats off to Toowoomba, the event organisers, the volunteers, everyone taking part- it really was up there in my top five ever events.

On being part of the Toowoomba Road Runners:

“They are such an all-inclusive, welcoming club, but it goes much deeper than just running and walking – it’s so community minded with a lot of moral support. They do a lot for community so a big shout out to all the people on the water stations too. “

Chris Bracken – 2nd place 10km

“I stepped up to the 10km after winning the 5km in last year’s event.

“It was a tough course, but I knew it was going to be – it was a good effort.

“There was great crowds out there – the drink stations were really good – I really enjoyed it and I’ll be back next year for sure.

Ben Drew – 3rd place 10km

“The top two guys took it to me right from the get-go and I thought then it was going to be a brutal day on the hills.

“It’s always fun running around Prince Henry, and definitely a challenge you don’t get around other races

“The crowds were super supportive even the other athletes in the 10, they were all cheering us as we came back. I don’t know how they did it , I was just happy to function. It was a great experience.”

The Grand Central 5km

Toowoomba teenagers Riley and Mason Morris made it a family quinella in the 5km men’s event, with Riley taking victory in a time of 16:40 ahead of younger brother Mason (17:23)

Riley Morris – 1st 5km

“It feels so good – so much hard work went into this race. At the airport last year, I didn’t have the best race but it’s great to be here and I’m really happy.

“There was lots of training 50-60km weeks and pushing 5km work.

“The crowd really pushed me on – I was so thankful.”

Re- Training and preparation.

“I did the Gold Coast 5k last year and did a big PB – lots of cross country , lots of speed work, just trying to get faster and faster

What do you like about running?

“You just have to work hard to be good, you can’t fake it – you’ve just got to work as hard as you can.

On racing with your brother Mason.

“It was really good racing with my brother, me and Mason love to run together, long runs, easy runs – it’s just so good seeing Mason do so well.”

Layla Magarey was the winner of the women’s 5km race in a personal best time of 19:23, having bettered her 2nd place (2024) and 4th place (2025) finishes in the event.

“That’s a PB so I’m pretty happy with that,” she said.

“I was originally entered in the 10km by accident and I’m so grateful we changed it (yesterday).

“The race tactic was to gun the downhill as much as you can because realistically, we’re all struggling on the uphill. So I wanted to bank enough time, get a good enough lead to eventually just push whatever I had left on the uphill.

On her whole family’s involvement in the event:

“Mum paced the half and did that perfectly, Dad ran the 10km and really well. And then the rest of my siblings are going to do the mile. Yeah, we all love it.”

Elite Mile and Queensland Road Mile Championship

Brisbane runner Jaxon Paterson-Wright sprinted to the mile to take line honours and the Queensland Road Mile Championship in a time of 4:10.

“That was incredible.

“I’ve never done a road mile before so to run through the main road a small town like this with such a good culture is really unbelievable to be honest.

“It was super fun – the turn around came up really quickly but then that last 100 metres felt like an eternity.

“A road race is much interesting for the spectators – I thought I was going to get caught but I was happy to hold on.

“It’s so great to be here in a place like Toowoomba, it’s a lot smaller and everyone was definitely getting out there today and showing support.”

The winner of the women’s elite mile race, Gold Coast track athlete Sayla Donnelley (4:50), took the win in her stride along with the title of 2026 Queensland Road Mile Champion.

“I love the event, it was awesome such a good environment,” she said.

“Everyone went out hard and then it was just like, turn around and sprint home.

“My coach told me about the event because I was on a bit of a break after Nationals.

“I’ve actually been involved with Gold Coast Marathons for multiple years holding the finishing tape, so it’s cool to be on the other side of it.”

Events Management Queensland CEO, Ben Mannion

“It’s been a wonderful event and fantastic to see so many spectators lining the streets to cheer the participants on.

“We made some changes to the structure of this year’s event and the feedback has been really positive from our event partners, participants and the community.

“The Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport Running Festival has again showcased itself as a popular community event.”

Toowoomba Mayor Geoff McDonald took part in the 5km run:

“What a fantastic event to see so many people out on the side cheering everyone on. It was phenomenal. It’s the best year yet.

“Third year, best year, looking forward to next year.

“I took a bit of time to take a few photos and chat with people and everyone is so enthused by this event.

“There are lots of people from out of town just loving what we have here so the Toowoomba Wellcamp Running Festival is a winner.

“I’m hopeful it’ll be a great lead-in to the Olympics and Paralympics in 2032 and we’ll see international athletes here in May, so they’re getting ready for the June, July, August Olympic Paralympics.