Half Marathon

Take the challenge of this iconic half marathon, and race past Melbourne’s famous landmarks before you finish with a lap of the hallowed turf of the ‘G’. Whether it’s your first time, or you’re a seasoned pro, you’ll love the buzz of being involved in something this big.

Event Information

Entry Fees & Inclusions

Please note entry fees are subject to change at any time, so sign up early to secure the best pricing.

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Race Pack Inclusions:

• Entry
• Race Bib
• Safety Pins
• Race Information Booklet
• Competitor Gift*
• Optional Post Run Massage
• Finishers Medal
• E-Certificate

*Please note Competitor Gifts can only be collect from the Gift Collection Tent located at the MCG during Race Week Office opening hours. You must bring your bib with you in order to collect your gift.

Race Pack Distribution

Your Race Pack includes your Race Bib, Safety Pins and Race Information Booklet.

Australian Competitors

• If you register before 4:59pm Monday July 3rd, your race pack will be sent to you, at the address provided.
• If you register from 5:00pm Monday  July 3rd, you will be required to collect your Race Pack from the Race Week Office.
• If you were an Early Bird entrant, please read the below information on your separate race pack distribution information.

International Competitors

• No race packs will be sent to international addresses. If you do not provide an Australian postal address on your registration form, you will be required to collect your Race Pack from the Race Week Office. If you register prior to 5pm July 3rd you will be required to collect your personalised race pack from the ‘International Collection’ window. Any international registrations after 5pm on July 3rd you will be asked to collect their race pack from the corresponding event window.

Early Bird Entrants

Race packs are currently in the process of being packed and distributed. Please note with the large number of packs to distribute, packs are sent out in batches which means some participants will get their race pack before others. All participants should expect to receive their race pack by Wednesday 11^th October. If for any reason your race pack does not arrive in the mail you will be required to pick up a replacement pack from the Race Week Office at the MCG. Please see opening hours below. If you cannot make it to Race Week office a friend or family member can collect a replacement pack on your behalf, they will simply need to present your confirmation email with your QR code.

RACE WEEK OFFICE OPENING HOURS

Please note that after 5pm July 3rd, there will be no opportunity to have your Race Pack posted. If you register after this time you will need to attend the Race Week Office prior to event day in order to pick up your race pack including your bib.

Course Description

1. Start Batman Avenue.
2. Runners head north along Batman Avenue; left into Flinders Street, left into Swanston Street, cross to northbound (west side) service lane at Princes Bridge and then head south along St Kilda Road.
3. At St Kilda Junction, runners turn right into Fitzroy Street then right into Lakeside Drive and do an anticlockwise lap of Albert Park Lake.
4. The Lake loop requires runners to turn left into Albert Road Drive from Lakeside Drive and left into Aughtie Drive continuing around the Albert Park Lake roadway.
5. At the Carousel carpark, runners proceed behind and around Pits Building using Aughtie Walk, entering the pit lane in Aughtie Drive before U-turning approx 300m past the Pits Building.
6. Proceed along Aughtie Drive to a right hand turn into Village Green Rd and right into Lakeside Drive and LEFT in to Fitzroy St. (note: Marathon runners veer right).
7. Half Marathoners turn left into the St Kilda Road northbound service lanes and continue to LEFT hand turn into Southbank Blvd, right hand turn into Sturt St and proceed (under the St Kilda Rd) along Alexandra Ave to a right hand turn into Linlithgow Ave.
8. Proceed along Linlithgow Ave (note: marathon runners veer left into Birdwood Ave – HALF Marathon STAY on the RIGHT) until the right hand turn into St Kilda Road.
9. Proceed along St Kilda Road to a right hand turn at Princes Walk (just prior to) Fed Square.
10. Competitors then run along the path next to Birrarung Marr before veering right on to the William Barak Bridge.
11. At the end of the bridge they make a hairpin left hand turn on to Jolimont St followed by a left turn on to Brunton Avenue before a final left hand turn left into MCG and do the MCG loop to finish.Kilometre markers will be located at every 1km along the course.

*Please note the Course is subject to change

Course Map

Click here to view a PDF version.

*Please note the Course is subject to change

Elevation Map

Pacer

Becoming a Pacer

Pacer Applications have now closed as all Pace Group Leaders have all been filled.

The following Pace Groups will be running in the Half Marathon in 2017:

Running with a Pacer

• If you are a participating athlete and wish to join a Pace Group, please look out for the Pace Group signs at the Start Area on race day.
• You do not need to register your interest.
• All Pace Group Leaders will be easily identifiable in event gear with their particular pace time clearly visible.

Preferred Starts

Once you have successfully registered for the event, you can apply for a Preferred Start, which is a starting position immediately behind the Elite field. To be granted a preferred start you must have achieved the following qualifying times for your event since 1st July 2016:

Applications for Preferred Starts must be made online and should include details of the races (i.e. race name, date and distance) at which qualifying performances have been achieved. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Any participants who are not registered will not be considered.  All applications are checked to guarantee times submitted are valid. Applications for preferred starts will close 5pm Monday 25th September, 2017.

Preferred Start applications have now closed. 

Successful applicants will receive an approval email just prior to the event with further details.

Please note: applying for a Preferred Start is a separate process to the online race entry system. Applying for a Preferred Start does not guarantee race entry, so please be aware of the race entry cut off times and field limits.

Successful applicants will be sent a colour coded Preferred Start sticker and start instructions in the mail closer to the event. The sticker must be attached to your race bib to gain access to the Preferred Start zone. The Preferred Start zone for each race will be located immediately behind the Elite Start, with Preferred Starters only able to access the zone via the entry area provided.

Drink Stations

On Course Nutrition

Endura – Official Electrolyte of the Melbourne Marathon
Endura’s proud to help fuel your Melbourne Marathon with Endura Rehydration Performance Fuel (Lemon/Lime) at key drink stations to help you race faster and recover quicker. Endura’s scientifically advanced formula features essential electrolytes (including exclusive Meta Mag® magnesium) to help keep your muscles performing at their best and 20 g of high-quality carbs per serve to give you that much needed energy boost to race faster and finish stronger.

Drink Station Locations

Prize Money

*Amounts in AUD

An athlete’s assistant package is available on application for runners who have a performance since the 1st January 2016 that is better than our course record.

Please note: International athletes will be subject to Withholding Tax, however may be able to claim back if agreements exist between Australia and their country of residence.