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Travelling Fit is proud to announce that we are the Official Travel Agent Sponsor of the 2021 Melbourne Marathon Festival
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 Road to a right hand turn at Princes Walk (just prior to) Fed Square.
Run along the path next to Birrarung Marr before veering right on to the William Barak Bridge.
At the end of the bridge, make a hairpin left hand turn on to Jolimont St followed by a left turn on to Brunton Avenue before a final left hand turn left into MCG Gate C where you will complete one lap of the MCG and cross the finish line.
Entry Fees
2021 Melbourne Marathon Entry Costs – Apply for Race Entries online
Standard Entries
- Nike Marathon (42.195km) – $145.00 Early Bird
- Nike Half Marathon (21.1km) – $115.00 Early Bird
- 10km RUN – $64.00 Adult and $40 child (0-16 years) Early Bird
- 5km RUN – $45.00 Adult and $26 child (0-16 years) Early Bird
- 3km Walk – $31.00 Adult and $15 child (0-16 years) Early Bird
VIR Entries (Very Important Runner)
- Nike Marathon $244
- Nike Half Marathon $213
- 10km RUN $164
Note: the VIR Package is only available for the Marathon, Half Marathon and 10km events
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 July 2019.
| OPEN | OVER 40 | OVER 50 | |
| MALE | Sub 1:18 | Sub 1:23 | Sub 1:28 |
| FEMALE | Sub 1:28 | Sub 1:33 | Sub 1:38 |
Applications for Preferred Starts must be made online 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. Any participants who are not registered will not be considered. All applications are checked to guarantee times submitted are valid. Applications for preferred starts will open in May.
Start Time
The Melbourne Marathon Festival – Half Marathon will commence at 8:00am
Cut-Off Times
The course will remain open until 2:00pm.
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.
Aid Stations
The sports drink provided on course will be Science in Sport.
| KM | SUPPLIED | MEDICAL | TOILETS |
| 0 | Water + Science in Sport | Yes | Yes |
| 3 | Water | Yes | Yes |
| 6 | Water + Science in Sport | Yes | Yes |
| 8.5 | Water | Yes | |
| 11.2 | Water + Science in Sport | Yes | Yes |
| 12.8 | Water + Science in Sport | Yes | Yes |
| 16.3 | Water | Yes | Yes |
| 18.9 | Water + Science in Sport | Yes | Yes |
| 21.1 | Water + Science in Sport | Yes |
Race Packets
If you register before 11:59pm Thursday 1st 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 2nd 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 2021 Melbourne Half Marathon will once again be providing Pace Group Leaders for the Half Marathon.
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
Personal Refreshments and Clothing
There are no provisions for personal refreshments to be left on the course for the Half Marathon
Transport
The hotel that Travelling Fit offers is located within a 5 minute walking distance to the MCG (race precinct).
Expo
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions there will not be a Runners Expo for 2021
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 December is 14 to 24 degrees Celsius (57 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit)
Other Events
- Marathon
- 10km Run
- 5km Run
- 3km Walk
WELCOME TO MELBOURNE
As the Official Travel Service Provider and sponsor for the Melbourne Marathon, Travelling Fit has been able to secure rooms in one of the most conveniently located hotels within walking distance to the Melbourne Cricket Ground – the race precinct for all the events during the Melbourne Marathon Festival.
In addition to the race itself, Melbourne has so much more to offer, so why not extend your stay whilst in this great cosmopolitan city and enjoy its surroundings.
Travelling Fit can help you plan your extended stay in Melbourne and let you experience all the city has to offer on tour.
Alternatively we can organise day tours and multi-day trips out of Melbourne to visit places such as the Great Ocean Road, Yarra Valley food and winery, or Philip Island to see the penguins.
Packages Include
- 2 Nights' Accommodation
Check in: Sat 11 December | Check out: Mon 13 December 2021 - Daily housekeeping refresh
 | $110 per runner and $110 per supporter |
 | Friday 05 November 2021 |
