Race Week Office
The Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival Race Week Office will be operating outside Gate 2 of the MCG during Race Week for the following functions:
•Event Downgrades
•Replacement Race Bib Collection
•General Enquiries
Race Week Office Opening Times:
| Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday | |
| Race Office | 8:00am – 6:00pm | 8:00am – 6:00pm | 8:00am – 4:00pm | From 5:30am |
Start Line
SUNDAY 13 OCTOBER, 2024
Start location: Batman Avenue, approximately 150m North of Rod Laver Arena.
42.195km Nike Melbourne Marathon / 7:00am, Sunday 13 Oct
10km Run / 7:30am, Sunday 13 Oct
42.195km Nike Wheelchair Marathon / 7:55am, Sunday 13 Oct
21.1km Nike Half Marathon / 8:00am, Sunday 13 Oct
5km Run / 11:30am, Sunday 13 Oct
2.5km Walk / 12:00pm, Sunday 13 Oct
Once you are at your Start Line, please be mindful of your competitors and give each other space where possible. Remember, your timing chip activates as you run through the start arch so the minutes it takes to get there won’t matter!
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 LB2 Ponsford Stand (Car Park A)
Nike Melbourne Marathon: Open from 5:30AM at MCG Carpark A, Brunton Avenue
Nike Half Marathon: Open from 5:30AM at MCG Gate 1, Level 1
SriLankan Airlines 10km Run: Open from 6.00AM at Lawn area outside MCG Gate 2
Transport & Parking
Please arrive at least 45 minutes prior to your event start time. We highly suggest that all competitors take public transport on the day, due to limited parking space, traffic congestion on race-day and the convenience and close proximity of public transport from the start line and MCG.
Parking
Alexandra Avenue (between Swan St Bridge and Morrell Bridge) Once you find a park, walk across Swan St Bridge and take the footbridge over the rail lines. This leads directly to the MCG’s. Allow 10 minutes walk time.
Fitzroy Gardens (Wellington Parade /Lansdowne St/Albert St/Clarendon St (city side only) Once you find a park, walk to Wellington Parade Sth/Jolimont Terrace and use the MCG paths to the Ponsford Stand or Gate 3.
Anderson St (access off Domain Rd or Alexandra Ave) Once you find a park, walk across Morell Bridge and take the footbridge over the rail lines. This leads directly to the MCG’s Ponsford Stand. Allow 20 minutes walk time.
Further information to be provided soon.
The closest parking will be available at Yarra Park, through Gate 5 for $10 via card only– enter off Punt Rd. Gates open at 4amwith limited capacity and will fill very quickly. All other gates are closed, however there are several non-ticket parking areas that surround the MCG.
For Public Transport options please refer to PTV’s Melbourne Marathon PT Information. for further information and to plan your journey at ptv.vic.gov.au
Please note the most convenient train stations to arrive at are Richmond and Flinders St Stations.
Drop and Go Locations
There are x2 Drop and Go locations for this using a ride share app or are being dropped off by a friend / family member.
- Wellington Parade (the corner of Wellington Parade and Wellington Parade South) – best suited for Saturday participants and Sunday participants that need to go to the MCG prior to the Start Line.
- Olympic Boulevard (out the front of Rod Laver Arena) – if you are a Sunday participant heading straight to the Start Line, this drop off location is best for you. If you need to use the Warm Clothing Service, we recommend getting dropped off at Wellington Parade.
Bikes
There are a number of bicycle hoops located next to the stadium in Yarra Park. Please do not park your bike on the MCG concourse.
Walking
If you plan on walking to the event, please remember to review the road closure information.
Road Closures
There will be road closures around the MCG that will affect traffic and access to parking on race day. If you have an enquiry about traffic and road closures, please contact our dedicated Traffic Enquiries Line.
Merch Store
An exciting range of new official Nike Melbourne Marathon merchandise will be available for purchase online and on race weekend.
The merchandise store will be located on the concourse between Gate 1 and 2 of the MCG. Please note, card and electronic payments only.
Spectators
Friends and family are invited to cheer you on as you cross the finish line. Free entry into the MCG will be available for spectators through Gate 2 on Sunday from 7:00am. Spectators and Participants might find it difficult to meet within the MCG, instead we recommend locating a meeting spot within Yarra Park for ease.
Bikes and Pets are not permitted inside the MCG (Guide Dogs excepted). For spectators with prams, if you intend to watch the Event within the MCG at the finish line and have a baby or a toddler; prams and pushers will be permitted into the MCG’s spectator areas located in the Olympic Stand and Member’s Reserve. Easy to fold pushers are recommended.
Spectators are also able to track your progress and watch the Festival’s live stream through the official Race App.
Toilets
Competitors will have access to toilets at the MCG via Gate 1, Gate 2 and Gate 7 from 5:30am on Race Day right through until the venue closes at 2:00pm. Limited portable toilet units will be available at the Start Line. We encourage competitors to make use of the portable toilets in Yarra Park and the permanent, toilet facilities offered at the MCG. From there it’s just a short 5- 10min walk over the Tennis Centre footbridge to the Start Line. There will be portable toilets available to competitors at the Drink Station locations on the course. Spectators can access MCG toilets via Gate 2 from 7:00am. Please note that all toilets are located downstairs at the MCG on Level B1.
Finish Line
Once you have finished your event, please move through the finish area as quickly as possible to avoid congestion for other competitors wanting to cross the Finish Line. Although you will want to celebrate here (rightfully so), there will be competitors coming in right behind you so keep moving through. This is not the place to wait for your mate.
All competitors will receive a finisher’s medallion on their way out of the finish area.
Presentations
Trophies will be awarded to the place getters on Sunday for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place getters of the Nike Melbourne Marathon, Nike Half Marathon, SriLankan Airlines 10k and the Big M 5km Run. These will take place on the main stage, inside the MCG. You can also catch them on the Event’s Livestream!
SPONSORS & SUPPORTERS
