Melbourne Marathon - Race Reviews

Expo The communications in the lead-up were kind of confusing about whether there was an expo or not, or whether you just go to the office to pick up your bib. Turns out there was an expo outside the MCG; it wasn't super busy though possibly because Australian entrants could have their bibs mailed to them. I registered way in advance but didn't get my name on my bib while plenty of others did, so I'm not sure what that's about. I asked about shirts and they said there were none. Course Super flat, but pretty dull. Plenty of out and back sections so you could see other runners, and then an annoying detour into the Botanic Gardens on the way back to the MCG. Lots of missing km markers especially at the end. Plenty of water at each station, but overfilled cups made it all very soggy. There were two stations with gels (Maurten) which were great and I will definitely buy them in future. There were some merging spots with the half and then the 5km or 3km, but they tried to keep those distances separate. The stadium finish had separate lanes for all the distances. I imagine fast runners would have had issues with the merging. Atmosphere Eerily quiet for the second largest marathon in Australia. The few spectators out on the course were only cheering the people they knew. There were maybe 3 spots playing music. The only part of the course with any sort of atmosphere was the last 500m into the stadium where there were actually people. Post-race For marathoners you went straight to bag pickup, to get your finisher shirt, and there was a changing room too so that was really smooth. However they were running out of smaller sizes - not surprising, because they never took your size preference during registration since it wasn't clear whether there were going to be shirts. The general lack of enthusiasm carried through to the finish - I had to ask someone for a medal because the people handing them out weren't paying attention to who was walking past. They only gave out cups of water/Gatorade (no bottles) in the name of sustainability even though they handed them out at the expo the day before, so I was pretty parched. They also had zero food - not even an orange segment or banana. Overall, it was fine - helped a lot by the perfect weather and the flat course but the complete lack of atmosphere was a bit unexpected for a big city and the field size. I happened to be in town so did the race, but wouldn't travel for it. The were some oddities with the organization especially if you're used to overseas races where shirts and post-race hydration are always included.

I have one massive gripe (and it's a big one) about the Melbourne marathon. I'd be warned about this by other runners but participating in the 2022 event I got to experience it for myself first-hand. That is the joining of the half marathon and marathon course on the return to the city along St Kilda Road. It's a mess. Really it's a complete balls-up. It's the worst thing about running the Melbourne marathon and the reason I wouldn't come back. After running 30km at a decent pace (I was running with the 3:20 pace group at ~4:40/km) you're into the harder section of course where you have some uphill sections on the return to the MCG. At this point the event organisers have thought up a marvellous scheme to make the last 10km of your marathon even harder than it needs to be. They introduce moving obstacles onto the course in front of you. Literally 1,000's of slow runners running at half the speed are spread all over the road from one curb to the other. In their infinite wisdom the race organisers have decided to bring the half marathon and marathon courses onto the same narrow section of road for much of the last 10km. There's no cones to keep the runners separated, no marshalls keeping the slow runners to the left, nothing. I mean absolutely NOTHING. There's a small respite for a couple of km where the marathon runners do an extra loop through the park but then the courses collide again but this time with the 10km runners (walkers) added in for good measure. Whoever thought this was a good idea clearly has never run the event. Or maybe they have not run another major marathon and been able to compare a good one with a bad one. Unless you're an elite and at the really pointy end of the field running a sub-2:30 marathon you're going to have problems. Even the guys running sub 3 have the exact same issues. I was talking to another runner on the train afterwards and he said it's a problem every year. Something tells me I won't be back in a hurry. Not to run the marathon at least.

I did this race in 2016 about a month after Medoc. I had run the Melbourne Half a few times previously. It's a fun race as a Victorian and I was proud to finally run it. The race starts near the National Tennis Centre and heads up into the CBD past Flinders St station before the long gradual downhill along St Kilda Rd. You take a right turn to do a loop around Albert Park Lake, before heading back onto St Kilda Rd and then heading down onto a big loop along the beach, heading down Elwood way and then back up almost to Station Pier (Port Melbourne), then head back up St Kilda Rd again for the finish line. The first half is either flat or gentle decline. The problem is of course, the return is gentle incline the whole way before a soul destroying loop around the War Memorial (where you head away from the MCG) before the last dash over Flinders St bridge and home to the G. Finishing inside that huge stadium is a real buzz and a great way to finish the race. Race size is big for Australia (about 7k?) but never got too squishy except for bit of crowding at the start, but this is normal for any 'city' marathon and if you're chasing a PB you would of course squeeze your way to the front anyway. Drink stations seemed good and well stocked. Lots of pacers, though I got pased by the 4:00 guy with maybe 2 Km to go and still did 3:58 (which made me happy). I don't like hills at the end of any race, put them at the start and i'm fine :) I guess I'm glad I did it but no need to do it again (for now). FWIW the Half Marathon is much easier (returns home after Albert Park Lake) and you still get to finish in the G.

A nice course, beautiful places; the organization could be better, The Expo is extremely poor; there are not many spectators (not considering the stadium), the final meters are wonderful

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.

Melbourne was my first marathon in 1989. This race in 2003, at age 43 was designed to see if I had a decent marathon left in me. My best, also at Melbourne, was 2:41 in 1993, so 10 years on, running with my brain, I sort of proved that I had something left. It is now 2006. I am focusing on a 2:40 Great Ocean Road, Australia, Marathon. I have come off a fund raising 100 KM (Oxfam TrailWalker) in 12 hours 3 weeks ago, have been resting up, and have 3 weeks to put in some up tempo efforts. The body is willing, but its durability is marginal. I'll get back to you after May 21, 2006

I was running my first marathon, having been talked into competing by friends. I entered a Herald Sun competition through their Health and Lifestyle section and was selected to be the male runner. I had two VO2 max tests at Monash with a training program designed for me through a company called ERA. I then trained hard with the program supplying variety to the running involved. I was told about G.I. and training supplements, proper running socks and food and drink intake. I had two dedicated training partners who would run with me at all hours in varying weather conditions. The race weather conditions were kind. Coolish with moderate to gusty winds. I know the views as I live bayside but the thing which will always stick in my mind is the support recieved along the way. The volunteers performed a magnificent job with drinks. The St. John staff supplied everything, including vaseline. I, like many others, hit the wall at times and heard many people clapping and giving encouragement. These Melbournians ranged in ages from children to elderly people. They made comments about how well people were running and for people to keep going and not give up. This encouragement and community attitude will stay with me for a long time. There were people handing out lollies and sweets. I remember running past the legendary Shirley Young and others with t-shirts stating they'd run every marathon. There were Spartans who had t-shirts stating they'd run 10 or 20 marathons, a guy running in thongs and another with bare feet. This marathon had the lot. My highlight was having my photo taken with my two running friends after the race.

I have now run 5 marathons, completing the Melbourne 4 times. It truly is a fantastic and thoroughly enjoyable experience. The course offers magnificant views of Port Phillip Bay from about 12kms through to about 40kms and offers a sense of serenity about it. Being pretty much a flat course for almost all of the way, there aren't the hills to deal with that take so much out of you. The fans along the course are amazing. Dressing up in all sorts of costumes and there to cheer all on. Without them, it would so much tougher. If I had one complaint though, it would be the lack of toilets both at the start and along the course. This surely is an inconvenience for many. Other than that, I would recommend this race to any interested in making Melbourne a part of their marathon accomplishments.

This was my first Melbourne Marathon though I've run 17 others (mostly Los Angeles, also Athens, Paphos, Amman-Dead Sea). The first 15 km along the Nepean Hwy were uninspiring, though the rest was pleasant. Although I didn't suffer from the heat, many did. There weren't enough water stations: they should've been every 2 km. This is the first marathon I've run where I had to pay extra for a T-shirt (other than Athens which did not have an entry fee). Registration at around $90 is expensive, a rip off actually, considering not enough toilets or water, and no shirt. You would think the race has no sponsorship although it does. The spectators were few, but nice.

MM was my first marathon and I have already declared I will return next year. Although unusually hot for this time of year, it was a great atmosphere. Seemed very organized - vounteers on every corner, clapping and encouraging - as well as the spectators dotted along the entire course.

Toilet facilities were a joke. This was my first time at the race and I nearly missed the start because I was waiting to use one of the very few toilets provided – this was appalling planning. At the race end, the toilets were in two unmarked trucks which I walked straight past even though I had been pointed in the right direction. A big disappointment and I hope you improve on this next year.

Being from Glasgow (Scotland) the heat for this run was more than I was prepared for. The start is great as the thousands fill the street. I did feel the hills at half way but the supporters from the 3/4 mark were great. Most of all, as a first timer, I would like to thank the Spartans who were an inspiration. Best Spartan quote (said in a fun tone): 'You might as well walk for a bit because you won't be able to tomorrow.' Thanks for that.

Melbourne is my hometown and my first marathon experience, having never run any thing over 15kms in race conditions I was particularly nervous but the calm environment of the bus trip to Frankston was perfect to relax the nerves. Found the crowd light on but those that were there were vocal and helped me along the home stretch some people's encouragement came in the form of lollies. I also found the encouragement of my more senior runners particularly helpful. I would encourage any 1st time marathon runners to give Melbourne a go. Weather was great and some nice views of the sea. Can't wait to tackle it again.

I ran the Oct 2003 marathon and ran PB of 3:12. Fast, flat course. Didn't find the bumps in the middle a problem. Superb temp, sunshine, lovely scenery, great organization. Ensure you buy a bus ticket as part of registration to get you to the start. More supporters as you approach halfway to the finish. Agree that the medal was very disappointing. Didn't even say, "Melbourne Marathon". Definitely recommend this one.

Was a great day. The weather was nice. Done better than last year. It is not an easy course as the rolling hills in the middle seem to go on for ever. The last stretch goes along the beach front at Elwood and St. Kilda. There are always many people around there (some tourists too) and I heard a few say, 'Come on, mate' or 'Nearly there'. We can thank the kids who every year have lollies for us along the way.

The weather was fine for running. There were not many spectators though. On thing that puzzled me was how come the markings for the marathon and half marathon were different? We started at the 21 km mark and we finished at the 42.195 km mark. So by logic the 22 km mark is our 1 km mark and so on. Yet after hitting the 26km mark I saw the 5 km mark about a hundred metres off ( maybe it is not that far because I tire easily, but you get the point). Anyway if you follow the marathon markings, you get 21 km of running. The medals could be better (meaning bigger). The bus ride to the start was quite well organized. The expo was small. The runners were fast.

Melbourne is where I was born, and although I now live in the US, I will be going back there very soon. I ran my first Melbourne Marathon in 1991, and ran 4 more consecutively after that. I am VERY pleased to see that they returned to the original Frankston-to-Melbourne course, instead of looping around the city. Those bayside suburbs and beach views are spectacular. I am hugely biased, but I would choose this marathon over any other, if I could pick any marathon in the world to run. When I ran it, it was in June, but October is a beautiful time of the year to do it; warming up a bit after winter, but not too much. It's the best marathon in Australia, so go for it!

This was my first marathon, and I really enjoyed it. The course is really flat in the beginning, but for the middle 10 miles there are rolling hills. The final 6 miles was rough this year, seeing as there was a strong headwind... Probably added a couple of minutes to my time. The fans are enthusiastic, but rather dispersed. The course goes along a highway, so there are stretches of no fans as you run your way from township to township. Like someone said before me, Melbourne weather is notoriously unpredictable... raining and cold at the beginning... sunny and warm for the middle... and windy at the end. Just be prepared for weather changes. All in all though, it's a good course and efficiently run...

This is a point-to-point race that starts in the outer suburbs and follows Port Phillip bay to a park close to downtown. The course runs on the road with the RHS lane closed to traffic. It starts flat but includes rolling hills that seem to go on forever in the middle stages of the race. They aren't tough but they do add up. The final third is flat. This year much of it was into a headwind - Melbourne is noted for unpredictable, changeable weather. Organization was generally good. My only complaint was the massagers ran out of oil by the time I got there. The crowds were sparse but supportive. The aid stations were well manned and there were a few unofficial stations handing out candies and water. The course is not very scenic although you do get sea views, especially as you run those danged hills. If you are going downunder, October is a nice time of the year to go and this race would be an added bonus.

This was number 11 for me and I liked it! Course was point-to-point, flat but perhaps a little boring as it doesn't really go through the city proper. Organisation was good except for a minor wait at the start, no hanging around at packet or baggage pick-up and buses to the start. Crowd support was pretty thin on the ground except at the end although some kindly souls handed out lollies/sweets/candy just when I needed them (thank you thank you thank you...). A good one to run but don't expect crowds of people roaring approval at your every tortured step.