Melbourne is the biggest road race in the country. More than 42,000 runners take on the festival's seven distances, from a 1km kids' run to the marathon, and every one of them finishes the same way: a lap onto the turf at the MCG. Running in through the gates of the 100,000-seat stadium is the reason a lot of people enter.
The races start on Batman Avenue and run on AIMS-certified courses, so times count. The marathon is flat and fast through the city and along the bay, which makes it a popular pick for a first 42.2km or a Boston qualifier. It falls on the second weekend of October (10 and 11 October in 2026), when Melbourne's spring mornings are usually cool and still.
The marathon and half marathon now run on a ballot, with guaranteed-entry options if you miss the draw. The 10km, 5km and 2.5km walk are open entry and fill out the weekend.
The start and MCG finish sit in the sporting precinct just east of the CBD, an easy walk from Flinders Street and Richmond stations. October in Melbourne is unpredictable, so carry a cheap throwaway layer for the early start.
Jack Rayner took a second straight Melbourne Marathon title on Sunday 12 October, winning in 2:15:02 with Steven McKenna a minute and 40 seconds back. Caitlin Adams was first woman home in 2:30:26, 26th overall.
| Position | Name | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jack RAYNER | 02:15:02 |
| 2 | Steven MCKENNA | 02:16:42 |
| 3 | Fraser DARCY | 02:17:38 |
| 4 | Jo FUKUDA | 02:17:58 |
| 5 | Bailey MURZECKI-HINCE | 02:18:08 |
| 6 | Michael TOSIN | 02:18:32 |
| 7 | Abdi RHOBLE | 02:18:52 |
| 8 | Robert KILLMIER | 02:20:41 |
| 9 | Colm FITZGERALD | 02:21:19 |
| 10 | Cameron MERRICK | 02:21:53 |
| 11 | Dion FINOCCHIARO | 02:23:47 |
| 12 | Lachlan HALL | 02:24:48 |
| 13 | Coen HARNISCHFEGER | 02:24:54 |
| 14 | Daniel HART | 02:26:24 |
| 15 | Ben HUMPHREY | 02:26:32 |
| 16 | Luke MITCHELL | 02:26:47 |
| 17 | Luke SPEIRS | 02:26:58 |
| 18 | Alexander RITCHIE | 02:27:59 |
| 19 | Bayden WESTERWELLER | 02:28:03 |
| 20 | Cameron SMITH | 02:29:10 |
| 21 | Patrick HUNT | 02:29:19 |
| 22 | Jack WRIGHT | 02:29:33 |
| 23 | Leigh GRAY | 02:30:09 |
| 24 | Patrick MONTI | 02:30:23 |
| 25 | Sam GIBSON | 02:30:25 |
| 26 | Caitlin ADAMS | 02:30:26 |
| 27 | Andres CUBIDES | 02:30:27 |
| 28 | Jonathan GIAKOUMIS | 02:30:33 |
| 29 | Aden REYNOLDS | 02:30:40 |
| 30 | Chris EDWARDS | 02:31:01 |
| 31 | Ned VERWEY | 02:31:07 |
| 32 | Ryan CRAMERI | 02:31:22 |
| 33 | Ashley HOFFMANN | 02:31:38 |
| 34 | Cameron MCGARRY | 02:31:40 |
| 35 | Stephen PATE | 02:31:56 |
| 36 | Kotaro NIHEI | 02:32:02 |
| 37 | Simon CROMARTY | 02:32:05 |
| 38 | Jordan COWLEY | 02:32:09 |
| 39 | Tyson DOHERTY | 02:32:24 |
| 40 | Jack TRENGOVE | 02:32:27 |
| 41 | Peter GREEN | 02:32:28 |
| 42 | David BAKER | 02:32:42 |
| 43 | Chris WINTER | 02:32:49 |
| 44 | Bradon SUTER | 02:32:59 |
| 45 | Justin GALE | 02:33:43 |
| 46 | Tim DOOLEY | 02:33:45 |
| 47 | Jeroen MATTHEUS | 02:33:54 |
| 48 | Baxter KIRK | 02:34:04 |
| 49 | William CUSHEN | 02:34:26 |
| 50 | Robert COLLINS | 02:34:30 |
Timing by MultiSport Australia: complete 2025 Melbourne Marathon results, all distances.
Jack Rayner won the 2024 Nike Melbourne Marathon in 2:11:49 on Sunday 13 October, more than three minutes quicker than his winning time a year later. Ryan Gregson was second in 2:13:31; Genevieve Gregson was first woman home in 2:28:13, 27th overall.
| Position | Name | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jack RAYNER | 02:11:49 |
| 2 | Ryan GREGSON | 02:13:31 |
| 3 | Christopher DRYDEN | 02:18:10 |
| 4 | Reece EDWARDS | 02:19:55 |
| 5 | Tomoya HINOHARA | 02:20:10 |
| 6 | Abdi RHOBLE | 02:20:46 |
| 7 | Erick NIYIRAGIRA | 02:21:06 |
| 8 | Dave RIDLEY | 02:21:17 |
| 9 | Dion FINOCCHIARO | 02:23:45 |
| 10 | Matthew WHITAKER | 02:23:51 |
| 11 | Keith MACPHERSON | 02:24:23 |
| 12 | Carlos RODRIGUEZ ORDONEZ | 02:24:46 |
| 13 | Forest ROBINSON | 02:25:21 |
| 14 | Lachlan SCOTT | 02:25:33 |
| 15 | Richard EGAN | 02:25:45 |
| 16 | Jordan COWLEY | 02:26:01 |
| 17 | Alexander SHAW | 02:26:24 |
| 18 | Colm FITZGERALD | 02:26:35 |
| 19 | Ben KELLY | 02:26:36 |
| 20 | Michael MARANTELLI | 02:26:37 |
| 21 | Alexander RITCHIE | 02:27:01 |
| 22 | Jonathan SQUIRE | 02:27:15 |
| 23 | Brad CROKER | 02:27:21 |
| 24 | John DUTTON | 02:27:40 |
| 25 | James PENNY | 02:27:47 |
| 26 | Jacob FOSTER | 02:28:10 |
| 27 | Genevieve GREGSON | 02:28:13 |
| 28 | Ashley HOFFMANN | 02:28:36 |
| 29 | Dane VERWEY | 02:28:40 |
| 30 | Lachie EDWARDS | 02:28:43 |
| 31 | Peter DUTTON | 02:28:47 |
| 32 | Jack MAXWELL | 02:28:51 |
| 33 | Lionel MAWDITT | 02:28:59 |
| 34 | Ian WORSFOLD | 02:29:00 |
| 35 | Zac ROSSER | 02:29:08 |
| 36 | Brad TENNICK | 02:29:28 |
| 37 | Scott KRAKOUER | 02:29:47 |
| 38 | Bayden WESTERWELLER | 02:29:53 |
| 39 | Matt TAYLOR | 02:30:44 |
| 40 | Corey MILNER | 02:30:50 |
| 41 | Daniel HART | 02:30:51 |
| 42 | Dylan NEWELL | 02:30:54 |
| 43 | Sarah KLEIN | 02:31:05 |
| 44 | Xavier DONAZZAN | 02:31:18 |
| 45 | Paul GREIG | 02:31:34 |
| 46 | Tyler DERKSEN | 02:32:04 |
| 47 | Aidan KELLY | 02:32:05 |
| 48 | Julian SPENCE | 02:32:11 |
| 49 | Jack MORISON | 02:32:23 |
| 50 | Tim BRETTIG | 02:33:01 |
Timing by MultiSport Australia: complete 2024 Melbourne Marathon results, all distances.
