Learn about your options to access entry to the 2025 Nike Wheelchair Marathon
Be a part of Australia’s largest 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.
Please note, the Nike Wheelchair Marathon is for those participating in Racing Wheelchairs. If you are competing in a non-racing Wheelchair, please sign up to the Nike Melbourne Marathon.
Event Information
| Date | Sunday 12 October 2025 |
| Distance | 42.195km |
| Start Time | 7:55am *subject to change in 2025 |
| Cut Off Time | 2:00pm |
| Field Limit | 100 |
| Start Line | Batman Avenue (150m North of Rod Laver Arena) |
| Finish Line | Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) |
| Age Limit | 18 years or older on race day |
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 Chobani Fit 2.5km Walk, the 5km Run, the 10km Run, and the Nike Half Marathon as all distances are wheelchair accessible.
Entry Fees & Inclusions
Price: $190
Inclusions:
- Entry
- Race Bib + Safety Pins
- Finishers Medal
- Finisher T-shirt
- E-Certificate
Course Map
*subject to change in 2025
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 5hr marathon pace. At the 22km mark of the Marathon (approx. 9:40am), slower runners will be redirected into Fitzroy St from Beaconsfield Parade. Redirected runners will be given a wristband and will not be permitted to complete the southern section of the course (8km). Instead these redirected runners will be required to make up this lost distance by completing a series of loops in Brunton Avenue (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.
Drink Stations
Aid Station Locations
| LOCATION | Distance KM | Supplied | Medical | Toilets | Melway ref |
| #1 – St Kilda Rd / Arthur St | 3 | Water ONLY | Yes | Yes | Map 57 – K1 |
| #2 – Lakeside Dve | 6 | Water + Gatorade | Yes | Yes | Map 59 – B8 |
| #3 – Pits Building (Albert Park) | 11.2 | Water + Gatorade + Maurten Gels | Yes | Yes | Map 57 – J6 |
| 11.2 | PERSONAL ONLY | Yes | Yes | Map 57 – J6 | |
| #4 – Mills St/ B’Field Pde | 17 | Water + Gatorade | Yes | Yes | Map 57 – A6 |
| #4 – Mills St/ B’Field Pde | 20.3 | Water + Gatorade | Yes | Yes | Map 57 – A6 |
| #5 – Point Ormond/Marine Pde & Glenhuntly Rd | 24.2 | Water + Gatorade | Yes | Yes | Map 67 – A2 |
| 24.2 | PERSONAL ONLY | Yes | Yes | Map 67 – A2 | |
| #5 – Point Ormond/Marine Pde & Glenhuntly Rd | 27.8 | Water + Gatorade | Yes | Yes | Map 67 – A2 |
| #2a – Fitzroy St | 31.1 | Water + Gatorade + Maurten Gels | Yes | No | Map 58 -B8 |
| #1 – St Kilda Rd /Arthur St | 34.1 | Water ONLY | Yes | Yes | Map 57 – K1 |
| #6 – Birdwood Ave/Govt House Dve | 36.5 | Water + Gatorade | Yes | Yes | Map 43 K12 |
| 36.5 | PERSONAL ONLY | Yes | Yes | Map 43 K12 | |
| #7 – St Kilda Rd / Linlithgow | 39.5 | Water + Gatorade | Yes | Yes | Map 2F – H8 |
| #8 – Wellington St Sth | 41 | Water + Gatorade | Yes | Yes | Map 43 – K8 |
| Finish | 42.195 | Water + Gatorade | Yes | Yes | MCG |
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 Location | Outside Gate 2 – Near Cricket Nets |
| Drop Off Date | Saturday 14th October |
| Drop Off Times | 8am-2pm |
| Personal Drink Station Locations | 11.2km, 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
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
SPONSORS & SUPPORTERS
