Noosa residents are being urged to lace up their runners and walk with purpose when the 2026 Mother’s Day Classic returns on Sunday, May 10, bringing the community together in support of breast and ovarian cancer research.
The much-loved fun run and walk will be held locally at Coopers Lookout Park, Buddina, with the course following the Sunshine Coast Coastal Pathway along the scenic foreshore before looping back to the park. The mostly flat route offers sweeping coastal views, making it accessible for runners, walkers and families alike.
Event village and registration open at 6.30am, with the official opening at 7am. The 10km run steps off at 7.15am, followed by the 5km run and 5km walk at 7.30am. Medal presentations and official remarks will take place at 9am, with a raffle drawn at 9.30am.
The Sunshine Coast event is part of a national movement that has grown into one of Australia’s most significant fundraising fixtures. Since its launch in 1998 by Women in Super, the Mother’s Day Classic has attracted 1.8 million participants and raised $50.8 million for life-saving research.
This year, more than 90 events will be staged across the country, with up to 100,000 participants expected to take part. Organisers say regional bookings, including in communities like Noosa, are up 20 per cent, reflecting growing grassroots support.
Mother’s Day Classic CEO Zara Lawless said Australians were increasingly turning Mother’s Day into a moment of meaning.
“We’re thrilled to see so many communities taking the lead and hosting their own Mother’s Day Classic events. It shows that Australians don’t just want to attend, they want to be part of something bigger. They want to turn Mother’s Day into a moment of purpose, standing stronger together in support of those impacted by breast and ovarian cancer,” Ms Lawless said.
Funds raised are split between the National Breast Cancer Foundation and the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation. Since the event began, the five-year survival rate for breast cancer has improved from 84 per cent to 93 per cent. However, every day in Australia 61 women are diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer and 12 lose their lives.
In 2024, the Classic expanded to include ovarian cancer research, raising $3.3 million, with $3.5 million donated in 2025 across both causes.
Locally, the Noosa event will feature coffee vans, a barbecue, kids’ activities, a DJ, raffle prizes and water stations. Dogs on leads are welcome, and organisers stress it is a fun run and walk with no official timing.
Registrations are now open, with early-bird pricing available. Go to: www.mothersdayclassic.com.au/event/mothers-day-classic-sunshinecoast
