Race Training Plans
Perth City to Surf
Training Plan
Australia's biggest participation running event with over 50,000 entrants. The Perth City to Surf 12km runs from the CBD through Kings Park and down to Cottesloe Beach each August. Whether you're running your first event or chasing a time — this is one of WA's great running traditions.
For official race information visit the Perth City to Surf official website.
What to Expect on Course
The 12km course is not flat. The route climbs through Kings Park — the biggest inner-city park in the world — before descending to the coast. The hill through Kings Park around the 4–5km mark is where many runners blow up. Train for it.
August in Perth is typically mild — 12–18°C in the morning — ideal running conditions. The mass start can make the first kilometre congested, so don't go out too hard.
Training tip: Kings Park hill is real. Include one hill session per week — even just 6–8 hill repeats on a moderate slope — and you'll run through it far more comfortably than the person next to you who only trained flat.
How to Build Your 12km Plan
PaceLab's training plan generator is designed for 5K, 10K, half marathon and marathon distances — for 12km, we recommend using the 10K setting and adding 15–20 seconds per kilometre to your target pace. This gives you appropriate weekly volume and quality session structure.
A solid 10-week block starting in late May/June gives you enough time to build your aerobic base, add some tempo work in weeks 5–8, and taper into race day feeling sharp.
Build Your City to Surf Plan
for August
Use the 10km setting, enter your target pace and let PaceLab build your week-by-week training schedule.
⚡ Build My City to Surf Plan