This 64km battle is in its eighth year, with runners have plenty of choice in this amazing race through national park land.

Competitors can do the lot individually, do it in a relay or do just the last 16km – the Bump to Beach Race.

In September the mass bike tour Cycle Queensland is riding the region from September 2-9 from Cape Tribulation to Millaa Millaa. Organised by Bicycle Queensland, the ride picks a different region each year and in 2018 Port Douglas/Daintree will host hundreds of cyclists.

The legendary Croc Trophy takes place in the tropical north from October 13 to 20. In what is the oldest and one of the most picturesque mountain bike races in Australia, the event attracts an international contingent for the 650km slugfest from Cairns, through the Atherton Tablelands to Port Douglas.

It’s then over to the famous Tropical Journeys Great Barrier Reef Marathon in Port Douglas on Sunday October 28.

Runners will again test their mettle on what organisers describe as the ‘world’s best adventure course.’

The mix of beach and trail running, with distances from a 2km race up to full marathon, has seen it become a must do event in Australia.

Tourism Port Douglas and Daintree executive officer Tara Bennett said the region’s roster of world-class sports fixtures, culminating in the GBR Marathon Festival, was becoming increasingly important to operators across the region.

“Hosting five sports events over our cooler tropical winter months is a huge draw card,” Bennett said.

“The Croc Trophy attracts competitors from more than 17 different countries around the world, which puts Port Douglas and Daintree on the international radar.

“The Marathon Festival also continues to grow with a lot of competitor interest from Japan and China. The other events are admired Australia wide and we not only attract hundreds of competitors but an army of family and supporters as well.”

Port Douglas also hosted the Reef to Reef a fortnight ago culminating in the famous Triple R event on Sunday August 11.

A favourite with riders and spectators alike, the race starts at Wetherby Station and includes the notorious Bump Track, with racers finishing with a sprint along Four Mile Beach in Port Douglas. 

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