There’s less than one month to go before the 2020 Virtual Melbourne Marathon takes over the streets, and we plan to make up for lost time.
We’ve created three training missions which will take you along the Yarra River, through heritage listed gardens, and past some of Melbourne’s most iconic landmarks. Choose your distance and rediscover the city
Log your Training Missions on the official Virtual Melbourne Marathon app.
5km TRAINING MISSION
Course description:
Start: Melbourne’s historic rowing boathouses on the banks of the Yarra River in Alexandra Gardens.
Follow the ‘Main Yarra Trail’. Continue below the Swan Street Bridge. Cross over Morell Bridge and turn left back onto the Main Yarra Trail heading back towards Melbourne Park. Continue under Swan Street Bridge. Take the ramp up to William Barack Bridge and cross over heading towards the MCG. Once you reach the MCG turn left and run a lap around the MCG concourse, finishing between Gate 1 and Gate 2.
7.5km TRAINING MISSION
Course description:
Start: Along the Yarra riverbank (Birrarung Marr Lower Terrace). Practically a stone throw from the official Melbourne Marathon start line on Batman Avenue. Head in the direction towards Swan Street Bridge to join the Main Yarra Trail. Continue along the Main Yarra trail as you pass underneath the Swan Street Bridge, Morell Bridge and Punt Road bridge.
Once you reach Church Street Bridge, head up the stairs and turn right to cross over the bridge. Once across, turn right again to head back towards to the city along the Main Yarra Trail.
Continue along Main Yarra Trail as you pass under the Punt Road, Morell and Swan St Bridges once again.
Pass the boatsheds on your left and continue under Princes Bridge along the Southbank promenade. Turn right and cross over Sandridge Bridge. Turn right and follow along Flinders Walk. Pass under Princes Bridge and towards the finish line at Birrarung Marr Lower Terrace.
15km TRAINING MISSION
Course description:
Start: Along the Yarra riverbank (Birrarung Marr Lower Terrace). Practically a stone throw from the official Melbourne Marathon start line on Batman Avenue. Head in the direction towards Swan Street Bridge to join the main river trail. Continue along the Main Yarra Trail as you pass underneath the Swan Street bridge, Morell Bridge and Punt Road Bridge, Church St Bridge and MacRobertson Bridge.
Approx 300m past MacRobertson Bridge, loop around the gravel path on your left and head back towards MacRobertsons Bridge via the Yarra Boulevard path. Cross MacRobertson Bridge and turn left to loop underneath the bridge and back onto the Main Yarra Trail.
Continue along Main Yarra Trail as you pass under Church Street Bridge, Punt Road Bridge, Morell Bridge and Swan Street Bridge.
Pass the boatsheds on your left and continue under Princes Bridge along the Southbank promenade. Turn right and cross over Sandridge Bridge. Turn right and follow along flinders walk. Pass under Princes Bridge and towards Birrarung Marr Lower Terrace. Cross over William Barrack Bridge to the MCG.
Once you reach the MCG turn left and run a lap around the MCG concourse. Head back over William Barrack Bridge and take the ramp to the left to finish your 15km loop.
Keep your eyes out for more City of Melbourne Training Missions as they get released in the coming weeks.
Remember to log your Training Missions on the official Virtual Melbourne Marathon app.
