WELCOME TO MELBOURNE
As the Official Travel Partner and sponsor for the Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival, Travelling Fit is offering guaranteed race entry into the Marathon and secured rooms at one of our preferred hotels, Mantra on Jolimont, the Pullman on the Park, the Quest East Melbourne, the Quest Jolimont and the Rydges Melbourne, all conveniently located just a short walk to the Melbourne Cricket Ground – the race precinct for all the events during the Melbourne Marathon Festival.
If you have already secured a guaranteed race entry, you are more than welcome to book one of our supporter packages which excludes the race entry but offers you accommodation.
- Packages Include
- Guaranteed Race Entry (runners only)
- 2 Nights’ Accommodation
Check in: Sat 10 October 2026
Check out: Mon 12 October 2026 - Breakfast included at Rydges and the Pullman on the Park only
- Daily housekeeping refresh (depending on the property chosen)
PACKAGE PRICES
Melbourne Half Marathon Course
Start at Batman Avenue.
Head north along Batman Avenue; left into Flinders Street, left into Swanston Street, cross to northbound (west side) service lane at Princes Bridge and then head south along St Kilda Road.
At St Kilda Junction, turn right into Fitzroy Street then right into Lakeside Drive and do an anticlockwise lap of Albert Park Lake.
The Lake loop requires you to turn left into Albert Road Drive from Lakeside Drive and left into Aughtie Drive continuing around the Albert Park Lake roadway.
At the Carousel carpark, proceed behind and around Pits Building using Aughtie Walk, entering the pit lane in Aughtie Drive before U-turning approx. 300m past the Pits Building.
Proceed along Aughtie Drive to a right hand turn into Village Green Rd and right into Lakeside Drive and LEFT in to Fitzroy St.
Turn left into the St Kilda Road northbound service lanes and continue to LEFT hand turn into Southbank Blvd, right hand turn into Sturt St and proceed (under the St Kilda Rd) along Alexandra Ave to a right hand turn into Linlithgow Ave.
Proceed along Linlithgow Ave (note: HALF Marathon STAY on the RIGHT) until the right hand turn into St Kilda Road.
Proceed along St Kilda Rd to a right hand turn into Flinders St.
Veer right into Wellington Parade South, turn right into Brunton Ave then left into the MCG via Gate C and do one lap of the MCG to the finish line.
Note: : Course is subject to change.
Testimonials
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- Melbourne Marathon 2023
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- Melbourne Marathon 2023
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- Melbourne Marathon 2023
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- Melbourne Marathon 2023
Race Information
Entry Fees
Melbourne Half Marathon Entry Costs – Entries Fees are included.
Qualifying Times
There are no qualifying times for the Half Marathon.
However, once you have successfully entered, 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 certain qualifying times for your event since 01 January 2025.
| Tier 1 | Tier 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| MALE | Sub 1:15 | Sub 1:20 |
| FEMALE | Sub 1:25 | Sub 1:30 |
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.
2026 applications will open at a later date.
Please note: Applying for a Preferred Start is a separate process to the online race entry system. You must have a race registration in order to apply for a Preferred Start.
Start Time
The Melbourne Marathon Festival – Half Marathon will commence at 7:30am.
Cut-Off Times
The course will remain open until 1:30pm.
Race Timing
Your Timing Chip can be found on the back of your race bib (excluding 3km competitors) that will be in your Race Pack with your Competitor Information Booklet. The Timing Chip will appear on the top half of the bib and will look like a label and must remain intact.
Do not remove or tamper with the Chip as this will result in NO TIMES being recorded of your effort.
Race Packets
Details to be confirmed
If you register before 11:59pm Thursday 02 July and select and pay for postage ($5.50), your personalised race bib will be sent to you at the address provided.
If you register from 12:00am Friday 03 July or do not pay for postage, you will be required to collect your race bib from the Race Week Office.
Your race pack will include:
- Race Information Booklet
- Race bib with attached timing chip
- Safety pins
Please note show bags (including T-shirt for Marathon competitors) are to be collected from the MCG.
Pace Setters
The 2026 Melbourne Half Marathon will once again be providing Pace Group Leaders.
There will be pacers for the following expected finishing times (hours and minutes):
1:30, 1:35, 1:40, 1:45, 1:50
2:00, 2:10, 2:20
Aid Stations
| LOCATION | Km | Supplied | Medical | Toilets |
| #1 – St Kilda Rd / Arthur St | 3 | Water ONLY | Yes | Yes |
| #2 – Lakeside Dve | 6 | Water + Electrolyte Drink | Yes | Yes |
| #3 – Pits Building (Albert Park) | 11.2 | Water + Electrolyte Drink + Maurten Gels | Yes | Yes |
| #1 – St Kilda Rd / Arthur St | 16.5 | Water Only | Yes | Yes |
| #7 – St Kilda Rd / Linlithgow | 18.8 | Water + Electrolyte Drink | Yes | Yes |
| #8 – Wellington St Sth | 20 | Water + Electrolyte Drink | Yes | Yes |
| Finish | 21.1 | Water + Electrolyte Drink | Yes | Yes |
Personal Refreshments and Clothing
There are no provisions for personal refreshments to be left on the course for the Half Marathon
TRANSPORT
All our hotels are within easy walking distance to the MGC race precinct
Expo
The Runners Expo is located on the external concourse of the MCG. With an exciting array of fitness specific stores, you’ll have plenty of things to see and do before and after your race, as well as if you are visiting the Race Week Office to collect your race pack!
The Expo will be located on the external concourse of the MCG between Gates 1 and 2.
All times to be confirmed
| Expo Dates | Expo Hours |
| Thursday 08 October | 8:00am – 6:00pm |
| Friday 09 October | 8:00am – 6:00pm |
| Saturday 10 October | 8:00am – 3:00pm |
| Sunday 11 October | 7:30am – 2:00pm |
Finishers T-Shirts, Medals and Certificates
All entrants receive a Finishers Medal, Finishers certificate and Running Shirt.
Weather Conditions
The average temperature range for Melbourne in October is 14 to 24 degrees Celsius (57 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit)
