Nike Melbourne Marathon

The 2024 Nike Melbourne Marathon general allocation has now reached capacity. Sign up to our Waitlist to be amongst the first to learn about updates and announcements.

Be a part of Australia’s premier marathon and race alongside marathon legends. Circle around Albert Park Lake, Flinders Street Station, pass the St Kilda beach foreshore and cross the finish line at the MCG to cheers from supporters, family and friends. The Nike Melbourne Marathon is a competitive, adrenaline-filled race for those experienced in marathon running who want to set a PB on our fast and flat course, and is also perfect for first-timers and less experienced marathon runners.

Event Information

DateSunday 13 October 2024
Distance42.195km
Start Time7:00am
Cut Off Time2:00pm
Field Limit9,500  *increased in 2023
Start LineBatman Avenue (150m North of Rod Laver Arena)
Finish LineMelbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
Age Limit18 years or older on race day
  

 


Waitlist

Year after year, Australia’s Premier Marathon Festival the Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival is growing more and more popular. 2023 saw record breaking numbers with 4 race categories selling out well before Race Day.

The 2024 event went on sale at the end of November and resulted in the Marathon reaching general allocation capacity in under 48 hours.

To be the first to know when registration opportunities become available, join our waitlist below.


Entry Fees & Inclusions

Adult: $185

VIR: $275

Inclusions:

  • Entry
  • Race Bib + Safety Pins
  • Finishers Medal
  • Finisher T-Shirt
  • E-Certificate

Course Map

Please note course may change in 2024


Course Flyover

Please note course is subject to change in 2024


Elevation Map


Slow Course

Information for 5+hr Marathon runners

The Nike Melbourne Marathon has a course redirection for entrants who are running at slower than a 5hr marathon pace. At the 22km mark of the Marathon  (approx. 9:40am), slow runners will be redirected into Fitzroy St from Beaconsfield Parade. Redirected runners will be given a wristband and do not complete the southern section of the course (7.8km). Instead redirected runners will make up this distance by completing seven (7) loops in Brunton Avenue, which are 1.1km per loop (near the finish) before heading to the MCG finish line. Redirected, slower runners have up to 7hrs to make it inside the MCG  to have their results officially recorded. A designated team of officials will be on hand to record and advise all redirected runners. Please note: The redirection is a race requirement and is done so to ensure the safety of slower runners and also to meet traffic management requirements. The redirected course has been measured to AIMS standards


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 Full Marathon in 2022:

MARATHON
2:503:003:103:203:303:403:50
4:004:104:204:304:455:00 

 

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

2024 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 2021.

 OPENOVER 40OVER 50
MALESub 2:45Sub 2:55Sub 3:05
FEMALESub 3:05Sub 3:15Sub 3:25

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. 

Incomplete applications will not be considered.  All applications are checked to guarantee times submitted are valid.

2024 APPLICATIONS WILL OPEN IN 2024

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

LOCATIONAid Station Total Dist. KmSuppliedMedicalToilets
#1 – St Kilda Rd / Arthur St3Water ONLYYesYes
#2 – Lakeside Dve6Water + GatoradeYesYes
#3 – Pits Building (Albert Park)11.2Water + Gatorade + Maurten GelsYesYes
11.2PERSONAL DRINKSYesYes
#4 – Mills St/ B’Field Pde17Water + GatoradeYesYes
#4 – Mills St/ B’Field Pde19.4Water + GatoradeYesYes
#5 – Point Ormond/Marine Pde & Glenhuntly Rd24.2Water + GatoradeYesYes
 24.2PERSONAL DRINKSYesYes
#5 – Point Ormond/Marine Pde & Glenhuntly Rd27.3Water + GatoradeYesYes
#2a – Fitzroy St30.2Water + Gatorade + Maurten GelsYesNo
#1 – St Kilda Rd /Arthur St34.1Water ONLYYesYes
#6 – Birdwood Ave/Govt House Dve36.5Water + GatoradeYesYes
36.5PERSONAL ONLYYesYes
#7 – St Kilda Rd / Linlithgow39.8Water + GatoradeYesYes
#8 – Wellington St Sth41Water + GatoradeYesYes
Finish42.195Water + GatoradeYesYes

Drink station locations subject to change*

 

Personal Drink Stations

Marathon competitors who wish to have their own refreshments available to collect from designated Drink Stations on course during Race Day.

Drop Off Information
Drop Off LocationEvent Village Area (Below outdoor cricket nets)
Drop Off DateSaturday 14th October
Drop Off Times8am-2pm
Personal Drink Station Locations11.2km, 24.2km, 36.5km

*Please note Drink Station Locations are subject to Change

 

RESTRICTIONS

  • Drink containers are not to be any taller than 21cm in total including all attachments
  • Special Drinks Drop off will close at 2.00pm
  • No Balloons/Sticks are to be attached
  • Your race number must be clearly shown on the bottle container
  • It is your responsibility to find your own bottle at the Personal Drinks Station
  • You must not drop your bottle on course it must be dropped in the Event Waste Zone
  • The Personal Drinks service is available to competitors in the full marathon only

Prize Money

EVENT1ST PLACE2ND PLACE3RD PLACE4TH PLACE5TH PLACE
MARATHON$20,000$7,000$4,000$2,000$1,000

Elite Athletes

The 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, Trengove and Diver have represented the Green and Gold with distinction as a result of what they’ve achieved on the streets of Melbourne. In 2023 this tradition will continue with support packages available to athletes who have achieved the following standards since 1st January 2022. 

 MenWomen
 Tier 1Tier 2Tier 1Tier 2
Marathonsub 2:15sub 2:19sub 2:34Sub 2:40
Half Marathonsub 1:02sub 1:05sub 1:11sub 1:14

Incomplete applications will not be considered.  All applications are checked to guarantee times submitted are valid.

2024 APPLICATIONS WILL OPEN IN 2024
Only successful applicants will be contacted


Spartans

In 1987 the efforts of the 86 men and two women who had completed all ten Melbourne Marathons was recognised by calling them “Spartans” and presenting each with a gold singlet. The Melbourne Marathon Spartans Club was formed in 1989 following initial discussions between Race Director Ted Paulin and Brian Dixon (former M.L.A. and Melbourne Football Club footballer).

The title of “Melbourne Marathon Spartan” has now become one of the Australian running community’s most sought after. Spartans are recognized by their various coloured running singlets and each runner has a personalised lifetime race number. The singlet is worn with the utmost pride by all Spartans as a sign of their achievement and dedication to marathon running. Any runner who completes ten Melbourne Marathons automatically qualifies to become a Spartan. After the 2022 event there are 1484 male, 159 female and two wheelchair Spartans. Although mainly Victorians, they come from all over Australia with a few overseas members. Three 44 Year Spartans remain: John Dobson, David Foskey and Wayne Thompson. Chas Harcoan, Bruce Hargreaves and Roger Weinstein have run 43. For further information on the Spartans club please visit the official Melbourne Marathon Spartans website: www.melbournemarathonspartans.com


Wheelchair Entrants

Participants in Racing Wheelchairs

Those wishing to participate in a racing wheelchair are required to register in the Nike Melbourne Wheelchair Marathon 7:55am start. This will be 5 minutes before the start of the Half Marathon, and will allow you to safely navigate the course free from crowds.

Participants in non-racing Wheelchairs

Those wishing to participate in a non-racing wheelchair are required to register in the Nike Melbourne Marathon 7:00am start. For the safety of yourself and to assist with navigating through the field of runners, we highly recommend starting towards the back of the starting pack. Non-racing wheelchair participants are also permitted to register the 3km Walk. Please note that the Half Marathon, 10km Run and 5km Run are not wheelchair-friendly.


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