Iconic Three Peaks Race returns to Tasmania After 13-Year hiatus

by Eliza Grey 1 Jul 15:32 PDT 26 March 2027

Former Three Peaks race winner Haphazard © Peter Campbell

One of Tasmania's most iconic endurance events will return at Easter 2027 after a 13-year hiatus, with more than 50 boats and 100 competitors already expressing interest in the revival of the legendary Three Peaks Race.

The Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania (RYCT) has confirmed it will run the internationally renowned event for the first time since 2013.

First held in 1989 and inspired by the Three Peaks Yacht Race in the United Kingdom, the race combines 334 nautical miles of offshore sailing with 133 kilometres of mountain running. Teams of five - three sailors and two runners - sail from the Tamar River to Flinders Island, down Tasmania's east coast and into Hobart, with runners tackling Mount Strzelecki, Mount Freycinet and kunanyi / Mount Wellington along the way.

Whistler in 'Three Peaks Race mode' - photo © Peter Campbell

Former Three Peaks Race winner John Saul, who competed in the event 10 times, said the unique combination of sailing, endurance and teamwork kept drawing him back.

"It was just a fantastic race. There was so much variety and so much challenge and no two races were ever the same. Winning was special, but it was just as rewarding to take part because everyone had their own challenges to overcome," Mr Saul said.

Although firmly one of the sailors, Mr Saul unexpectedly found himself tackling the final run up kunanyi / Mount Wellington during one race after injuries sidelined both of his team's runners and their reserve. Borrowing an oversized pair of sandshoes from a crewmate, he completed the climb so his team could finish.

"We broke the steering, we broke sails, we broke people," he said. "When I look back, that was still one of the most enjoyable races because we got through all those challenges together. We didn't do well on the scoreboard, but we were incredibly proud that we'd finished."

RYCT Vice Commodore Rob Greenwell said the event was unlike anything else in Australia.

"There's nowhere else in the country where you can combine offshore sailing with running up three spectacular mountains in such an incredible wilderness setting," Mr Greenwell said.

"The Three Peaks Race has a rich history and there's genuine excitement about seeing it return after more than a decade. We've already had strong interest from sailors, runners and adventure athletes, which shows the appetite is there."

The race will be capped at 30 boats due to berthing limitations at Lady Barron on Flinders Island.

Among those preparing for the challenge is Hobart sailor Grace Bottomley (22), who admits she wasn't much of a runner when she first heard the event was returning.

"I saw it and immediately thought, 'That's so cool - we have to bring that back,'" Ms Bottomley said.

"It's the combination of two ultimate endurance sports. You're sailing offshore, then jumping off the boat and running up mountains. It's a huge challenge, but that's exactly what makes it so appealing."

Asked about her running background, Ms Bottomley laughed.

"When I first mentioned it to Mum, she said, 'Grace, you're not a marathon runner,'" she said.

"Since then I've done a lot of running."

Ms Bottomley said the unpredictability of the race was part of its attraction.

"You could be stepping off a yacht at two o'clock in the morning and heading straight up a mountain. That's exciting."

"I really believe that with true determination and courage you can do anything you put your mind too."

"I really want to be involved because this is the year it comes back. It's a special event and it's exciting to be part of its next chapter."

Mr Greenwell said modern technology would allow spectators to follow the race more closely than ever before through live tracking, onboard cameras and real-time updates.

"People will be able to watch the race unfold as it happens, which will bring a whole new audience to the event," he said.

The Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania intends to run the Three Peaks Race as a biennial event, with future opportunities to expand participation categories and grow the event's national profile.

Quick Facts

The Race: www.ryct.org.au/threepeaksrace/

The Australian Three Peaks Race is a non-stop offshore sailing and endurance mountain running event that combines two of the world's toughest endurance disciplines into one uniquely Tasmanian challenge. The event returns at Easter 2027 after a 13-year hiatus, having last been held in 2013.

Event Snapshot

Returning after a 13-year hiatus
First race since 2013
Organised by the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania
Starts on Good Friday - Friday, 26 March 2027
More than 50 boats have already expressed interest
More than 100 sailors and runners have expressed interest
Entries capped at 30 boats
Planned as a biennial event
Teams typically comprise three sailors and two runners

The Course

The race begins at Beauty Point on the Tamar River and finishes in Hobart on the River Derwent, covering Tasmania's spectacular east coast and Bass Strait. Along the way competitors must sail approximately 334 nautical miles and complete 133 kilometres of endurance running across three iconic Tasmanian mountains.

Leg One
Beauty Point to Flinders Island

Sail: 90 nautical miles
Run: 65 kilometres
Mountain: Mount Strzelecki
Elevation Gain: 756 metres

Teams sail from Beauty Point on the Tamar River to Lady Barron on Flinders Island. Two runners then leave the yacht and race to the summit of Mount Strzelecki before returning to the boat.

Leg Two
Flinders Island to Coles Bay

Sail: 145 nautical miles
Run: 33 kilometres
Mountain: Mount Freycinet
Elevation Gain: 620 metres

From Lady Barron, competitors sail down Tasmania's east coast to Coles Bay. Runners then tackle Mount Freycinet in the heart of Freycinet National Park before rejoining their crew.

Leg Three
Coles Bay to Hobart

Sail: 100 nautical miles
Run: 33 kilometres
Mountain: kunanyi / Mount Wellington
Elevation Gain: 1,270 metres

The final leg takes competitors south to Hobart where runners complete the demanding ascent and descent of kunanyi / Mount Wellington before the team races to the finish line on the Derwent. Total Race Distances

Sailing: approximately 334 nautical miles (619km)
Running: approximately 131 kilometres
Total elevation gain: 2,646 metres
Duration: approximately four days (race record is 2 days 10 hour 24 minutes 8 seconds in 2004)
Conducted continuously day and night
Competitors may begin mountain ascents at any hour depending on weather and race conditions

Why It's Unique