Melbourne Marathon
Melbourne, Australia · Second Sunday of October
The southern hemisphere's most prestigious marathon starts and finishes at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, looping through St Kilda Road, Albert Park Lake, and the Royal Botanic Gardens. The 2026 redesign removed the infamous Birdwood Avenue climb at km 37, making it the flattest course in the race's 48-year history — Eliud Kipchoge's choice of Melbourne for his 2026 world tour signals its arrival as a global destination race. One early crest around km 5 is the only notable gradient; the rest is essentially coastal-flat.
Course
Elevation gain
136 m
Net elevation
+4 m
Finishers
~8,500
Month
October
Second Sunday of October
Race-day weather
Median start temp
8°C
Historical range
6–19°C
Hot-year risk
Moderate
Race starts at 6:30am into a cool Melbourne spring morning (~8°C), rising to 17–20°C by late morning in a typical year. Melbourne's notorious variability means occasional warm October days (23–24°C) and persistent bay breezes on the Beach Road section — check the forecast race week.
Getting in
Lottery. Annual ballot — over 52,000 entries for ~30,000 festival places in 2026. Ballot opens in late October/November after the current year's race; a second-chance ballot runs in April/May. Charity entries, qualifying-time places, and official travel packages also available. Official site ↗
Pacing plans for Melbourne Marathon
Course-adjusted splits for every common goal — not flat even splits, but pacing that matches where this course is fast and where it bites.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Melbourne Marathon a fast course?
Yes, it is a fast course by big-marathon standards. The course has 136 m of total elevation gain. We rate it 8/10 for PR potential.
What is the weather usually like at the Melbourne Marathon?
The median start-line temperature is around 8°C, with a historical range of roughly 6–19°C. Race starts at 6:30am into a cool Melbourne spring morning (~8°C), rising to 17–20°C by late morning in a typical year. Melbourne's notorious variability means occasional warm October days (23–24°C) and persistent bay breezes on the Beach Road section — check the forecast race week.
How do you get into the Melbourne Marathon?
Lottery. Annual ballot — over 52,000 entries for ~30,000 festival places in 2026. Ballot opens in late October/November after the current year's race; a second-chance ballot runs in April/May. Charity entries, qualifying-time places, and official travel packages also available.
Is the Melbourne Marathon a Boston qualifier?
Yes — the Melbourne Marathon is a certified course accepted by the B.A.A. for Boston qualifying times.