Learn about your options to access entry to the 2025 Nike 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
| Date | Sunday 12 October, 2025 |
| Distance | 21.1km |
| Start Time | 8:00am *subject to change in 2025 |
| Cut Off Time | 2:00pm |
| Field Limit | 13,000 |
| 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: $170
Inclusions:
- Entry
- Race Bib + Safety Pins
- Finishers Medal
- E-Certificate
Course Map
*subject to change in 2025
Course Flyover
*subject to change in 2025
Elevation Map
Warm Clothing
A Warm Clothing service is available on Race Day for participants in the above events to leave a bag of their belongings, to be collected post-race. You will be required to tear off strip from race bib and attach it securely to your clothing bag to ensure that it is easily identified.
Location and Time: Open from 5:30AM at Gate 1 Level 1
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 will open at a later date
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
2025 applications will open at a later date
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. Applying for a Preferred Start does not guarantee race entry, so please be aware of the race entry cut off times and field limits.
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 + Gatorade | Yes | Yes |
| #3 – Pits Building | 11.2 | Water + Gatorade + Maurten Gels | Yes | Yes |
| #1 – St Kilda Rd /Arthur St | 16.5 | Water ONLY | Yes | Yes |
| #7 – St Kilda Rd / Linlithgow | 18.8 | Water + Gatorade | Yes | Yes |
| # 8 – Wellington St Sth | 20 | Water + Gatorade | Yes | Yes |
| Finish | 21.1 | Water + Gatorade | 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 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. In 2024 this tradition will continue with support packages available to athletes who have achieved the following standards since 1st January 2024.
Incomplete applications will not be considered. All applications are checked to guarantee times submitted are valid.
2025 Applications will open at a later date
SPONSORS & SUPPORTERS
