The 2025 Nike Half Marathon has now reached general capacity. The FINAL ballot is now open, register for the ballot below for your chance to gain entry.
Take the challenge of this iconic half marathon, and race past Melbourneโs famous landmarks before you finish with a lap of the hallowed turf of the โGโ. Whether itโs your first time, or youโre a seasoned pro, youโll love the buzz of being involved in something this big.
Event Information
Date
Sunday 12 October, 2025
Distance
21.1km
Start Time
To be advised
Cut Off Time
2:00pm
Start Line
Batman Avenue (150 North of Rod Laver Arena)
Finish Line
Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
Age Limit
16 years or older on Race Day
Entry Fees & Inclusions
Price: $185
Inclusions:
Entry
Race Bib + Safety Pins
Finishers Medal
E-Certificate
Course Map
*subject to change in 2025
Elevation Map
*Subject to change in 2025
Pacers
Pace Group Leaders will be expected to run at an even pace for the entire distance of their event and offer encouragement and information along the way. Keeping to your allocated pace and communication between yourself and the runners within your Pace Group is extremely important if everyone is to continue as a group. The following Pace Groups will be running in the Half Marathon in 2025:
Half Marathon
1:30
1:35
1:40
1:45
1:50
2:00
2:10
2:20
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.
Becoming a Pacer
2025 Pacer Applications are now closed.
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 January 2024.
OPEN
OVER 40
OVER 50
MALE
Sub 1:20
Sub 1:25
Sub 1:30
FEMALE
Sub 1:30
Sub 1:35
Sub 1:40
Applications for Preferred Starts must be made via the website and should include details of the races (i.e. race name, date and distance) at which qualifying performances have been achieved. Only successful applicants will be contacted
Incomplete applications will not be considered. All applications are checked to guarantee times submitted are valid.
Please note: Applying for a Preferred Start is a separate process to the online race entry system. You must have a race registration in order to apply for a Preferred Start.
Drink Stations
Aid Station Locations
LOCATION
Aid Station Total Dist.
Supplied
Medical
Toilets
#1 – St Kilda Rd /Arthur St
3
Water ONLY
Yes
Yes
#2 – Lakeside Dve
6
Water + Maurten Drink Mix 160
Yes
Yes
#3 – Pits Building
11.2
Water + Maurten Drink Mix 160+ Maurten Gels
Yes
Yes
#1 – St Kilda Rd /Arthur St
16.5
Water ONLY
Yes
Yes
#7 – St Kilda Rd / Linlithgow
18.8
Water + Maurten Drink Mix 160
Yes
Yes
# 8 – Wellington St Sth
20
Water + Maurten Drink Mix 160
Yes
Yes
Finish
21.1
Water + Maurten Drink Mix 160
Yes
Yes
*Drink stations and locations are subject to change
Prize Money
EVENT
1ST PLACE
2ND PLACE
3RD PLACE
HALF MARATHON
$10,000
$5,000
$2,500
All Prize Money is in Australian Dollars (AUD)
All prize money may be subject to a deduction of Withholding Tax to the Australian Taxation Office for those who are not Australian residents.
Elite Athletes
The Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival has a proud history of supporting Australia and New Zealand’s elite runners. With more Australians qualifying for the Olympic Games, World Championships and Commonwealth Games than any other domestic event in the past decade, there is no doubt that the fast Melbourne course provides a perfect vehicle for quality performances. Names like Gregson, Robinson, Batt-Doyle, Buchanan, Weightman, Adams, Stenson and Diver have represented the Green and Gold with distinction as a result of what they’ve achieved on the streets of Melbourne.
Incomplete applications will not be considered. All applications are checked to guarantee times submitted are valid.
Thank you for completing your volunteer induction for the 2024 Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival.
Thank you for completing the staff & contractor induction for the 2024 Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival.
Thanks for submitting your preferred start application for the 2024 Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival. Successful applicants will be notified via email.
Thanks for submitting your preferred start application for the 2024 Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival. Successful applicants will be notified via email by the 26th July
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