This was a really nice smallish big city marathon. The course was mostly unspectacular with lots of out and backs, but it was flat. The weather was great and the early start ensured it didn't get too hot. The highlight was finishing in the cricket grounds, with thousands of spectators watching. My only complaint was with some weird lapses in organization. At some points the course was far too narrow and allowing cars to park on the street really exacerbated the situation. But by far the worst thing the organizers did was to bring together the half marathoners and full marathoners at two separate points in the race. The two courses suddenly merged at a narrow point and 3:15 marathoners were forced to dodge 2:00 half-marathoners. This had a very real impact on my race and really is one of the worst, substantive mistakes I've seen in race design.

Nice relatively flat course (a couple of small hills throughout, including towards the end), but for the price I paid to register, I got very little in return!

No t-shirt, long lines for very little food at the end, but more importantly, watered down Gatorade, no Gels and one aid station was shutting down as more runners were still coming through (and I wasn't even that slow)!

For those out of town, I wouldn't recommend this marathon; not worth the money or the time. However, for us Melbournites, there is no choice, but this marathon.

Yes, I would run it again, but only because this is my home city marathon!

There is only 2 things that I found a problem
1st - The km markers couldn't see the distance I had already traveled.
2nd - Didn't like the Finish line it was to crowed it would better if it finished back on the MCG like the year before.
Overall the rest was Good.

Pros: race started on time and easy access
course pleasant

Cons: Many water stops were making up powerade as runs were approaching.
Aid stations were disorganized. At times they handed cups to you above your head. Too few aids stations in the beginning and too many at the end of the race. They need more volunteers to man their aids stations.

Post race just water and powerade. No massages, no food.

A towel for your swag is just plain lame. NO shirt, you have to pay for that. Come on. I had a feeling it was a fleecing.

Expo was mediocre. No fans but I really did not care about fans.

I would not recommend the Melbourne Marathon.

Pacers were unprofessional (do not run with them if you are planning on a goal time) - they made too many bathroom stops!

Course was beautiful but sadly the lack of fan enthusiasm didn't help. Be sure to bring water/gels with you, as there were few water stops along the way.

I really did enjoy the finish though - ending on the MCG Field and running a good 400 meters.

Overall, I would suggest this race for recreational runners. If you are looking for professional runners (and pacers), look elsewhere. This race is for folks who want to explore Melbourne who are not worried about their time.

My first 10K, and I'm pumped. A slow start, which started with the first of a FEW bottlenecks, but it was a buzz. As much as I respect walkers, I was very disappointed with walkers spread out across the paths. You would get some momentum and then have to pull up sharp to avoid walkers. Please, have walkers of the 5 and 10K behind us. HAVE THE WALKERS KEEP TO THE LEFT!!!!!! SIMPLE!!!!!! The drink stations were so understocked. The 5Kers drank all the water! I had to get my own out of the bin. The cost of the event is expensive. These problems need to be rectified; I had many groups say that these problems would stop them from competing next year. Although wonderfully computerized, there is no way you can do a PB unless you are out the front. We were 5 minutes off our normal 10K pace!!! Too many people and not enough organization. I also hated the ramps coming into the MCG.

This was my second marathon and first in my home town. Course was great (although I'm obviously a bit biased) but I thought the organization was very poor. Drink stations are not stocked and set at weird intervals; and starting the half at the same time as the full distance just meant more people got in the way. Still, very enjoyable experience and heartily recommended.

I was very disappointed when I found out that they had run out of water at the 10KM drink station. Many people missed out on drinks at the station, and since hydration is very important it was not a good thing for the second drink station to be out of water.

This out and back course was relatively flat and well marked. The sun was shining which made for a pleasant morning but a little warm. The ocean and city views were magnificent and the finale of the MCG, a melbourne icon, was fantastic. Closest I'll ever get to being on the grounds! The spectators cheered us on and even supplied lollies, marshmallows and even icy poles. Fantastic atmosphere and very well supported by volunteers and organisers. Opening remarks by olympic marathon champions helped tremendously!

Nice cool day in 2005. Slight headwinds but picturesque course for most of the race and a nice finish down St Kilda Rd. NOT NEARLY ENOUGH TOILETS AT THE START. Good atmosphere with cheering spectators most of the way.