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Jack Rayner has set the MCG alight with a blistering time of 02:15:02 to win the 2025 Nike Melbourne Marathon, in another record-setting year for Melbourne’s premier running event.

Rayner was the first of 14,500 in the Nike Melbourne Marathon category to cross the finish line at the iconic MCG on Sunday, with 50,000 total participants registered from across Australia and around the world, doing their part to help the event become renowned as the World’s Most Encouraging Festival. The total number of runners sets a new participation record, comfortably surpassing 2024’s benchmark of 42,000. Buoyed by a flood of encouraging cheers, Rayner outpaced their competition on the 42.195km course finishing one minute and 40 seconds ahead of runner-up Steven McKenna (02:16.42), and Fraser Darcy (02:17.38) in third position.

The defending champion overcame illness just 24 hours before race day to take a commanding win in the feature race.

“I was feeling a bit off, my girlfriend came down with something two days ago, but I managed to avoid the worst of what she had, but feeling good now, tired, but good,” said Rayner. “I’ll have a well deserved break for a couple of weeks now, and target the Zatopek 10k, our national 10k champs in December.” 

Caitlin Adams took out the Nike Melbourne Marathon Women’s category in her debut, with a time of 02:30.26. “I’m feeling on top of the world right now, I’m sure this feeling will carry me across the next few days, it’s going to be hard to sink in but to win Melbourne on debut, I love this event, I’m absolutely stoked,” said Adams.

The Nike Half Marathon saw Hatfu Strintzos finish first overall with a time of 01:02.13, as Izzi Batt-Doyle took out the Women’s category, clocking in at 01:08.55 and setting a new record for the race. Adding to the list of high calibre Australian winners was Adam Goddard winner of the SriLankan Airlines 10km Run (28.40) for the men, and Ellie Pashley has made a successful return to competitive racing, winning the Women’s 10km (33.41). Up and coming duo Harrison Baxter (14.36) and Abbie Reid (16.09) won the Dairy Farmers 5km Run for the men and women respectively. Ian Gainey (03:24.49) and Sharnie Digby (03:25:27) won the Nike Wheelchair Marathon

While some of Australia’s best long-distance runners lit-up the course, tens of thousands of runners embraced the world’s first initiative of sharing their own personal messages of encouragement on their backs resulting in one of the most connected Festivals to date. “This year we set out with the goal of becoming the World’s Most Encouraging Festival, and after seeing some of the messages of support and acts of sportsmanship today, we’ve gone a long way to achieving that goal,” said Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival Event Director, Marcus Gale. 

“It’s so special to see the city get behind this day year after year and make it truly a ‘must do’ for Melbourne. We look forward to continuing to grow in 2026.” Sandra Hore, Vice President & General Manager at Nike Pacific (AU/NZ), said the record demand for this year’s Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival reflects the incredible momentum behind running in Australia. “Over 3.4 million Australians are lacing up each year, and we’re seeing a growing shift toward more connected, inclusive running communities. The Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival is leading the way,” said Ms Hore. “Setting another participation record is a credit to the city, the organisers, and the thousands who showed up to chase their personal finish lines. “Congratulations to our winners for 2025, and to every single runner who achieved their own personal victory over the weekend.”

Race Results:
 Nike Melbourne Marathon (42.195km)
○ Men’s: Jack Rayner, time: 02:15.02
○ Women’s: Caitlin Adams, time: 02:30.26


Nike Half Marathon (21.1km)
○ Men’s: Haftu Strintzos, time: 01:02.13
○ Women’s: Izzi Batt-Doyle, time: 01:08.55

Nike Wheelchair Marathon (42.195km)
○ Men’s: Ian Gainey, time: 03:24.49
○ Women’s: Sharnie Digby, time: 03:25.27

SriLankan Airlines 10km Run
○ Men’s: Adam Goddard, time: 28.40
○ Women’s: Ellie Pashley, time: 33.41

Dairy Farmers 5km Run
○ Men’s: Harrison Baxter, time: 14:36
○ Women’s: Abbey Reid, time: 16.09


Full results, including category breakdown, available at multisportaustralia.com.au