Story: The Heartbeat of the Blackwood
Episode: 28
Presenter: Tod Johnston
Air Date: 10 August 2025

Bridgetown may be known for its peace and quiet, but once a year, the Blackwood River comes alive with the energy of the Blackwood Marathon Relay, a unique 60km multi-sport event that brings generations of locals, athletes, and adventurers together in a celebration of community, challenge, and country spirit.

• Held annually on the last Saturday in October, the Blackwood Marathon is a uniquely Western Australian relay event that has been bringing together solo competitors and teams of runners, swimmers, paddlers, equestrians and cyclists since 1979. Set against the backdrop of the Blackwood River Valley, the event combines physical challenge, community spirit and regional charm.
• Bridgetown is a picturesque heritage-listed town on the Blackwood River in Western Australia’s Southwest, officially established in 1868 and nestled amid rolling jarrah and marri forests.
• Known as WA’s self‑proclaimed winter capital, the town comes alive from June to August during “Fridge town Fest” featuring food, crafts, secret picnics, live music, and cozy fires.
• The town centre is home to many 19th‑century buildings, a historical police station museum, and Australia’s only jigsaw gallery and museum.
• The Blackwood Marathon Relay, organised by the Bridgetown Rotary Club, began in 1979 to commemorate Western Australia’s 150th anniversary and is now in its 46th edition.
• This unique 60 km multisport relay includes a running leg (~11.6 km), a canoe leg (~6.2 km), a 1 km swim, an optional equestrian leg (~16 km) (making it the only relay in Australia with horse riding), and a cycling leg (~18.6 km).
• Every year on the last Saturday of October, around 300+ teams (or solo “Ironmen/Ironwomen”) participate in this event, which draws athletes, volunteers, and spectators for a weekend of sport and community spirit in the Blackwood River valley.

For more information, head to:
www.blackwoodmarathon.org