Event Information
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Course Outline:
The Melbourne Marathon course is known for being scenic, fast, and mostly flat, guiding runners through some of Melbourne’s most iconic locations before culminating in an unforgettable finish inside the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
1. Start – Batman Avenue (near Rod Laver Arena)
The race begins on Batman Avenue, close to Rod Laver Arena, providing a wide and controlled start area for all marathon runners.
2. Early City Section – Flinders Street → Swanston Street
From Batman Avenue, runners head north, turning into Flinders Street and then Swanston Street, briefly travelling through the heart of Melbourne’s central city grid.
3. Long Stretch Down St Kilda Road
After crossing Princes Bridge, the course transitions onto St Kilda Road, one of its longest and most famous stretches.
- This section is broad, mostly flat, and extremely scenic.
- It passes cultural and civic landmarks and is often lined with spectators.
4. Shrine of Remembrance & Royal Botanic Gardens
Midway down St Kilda Road, runners pass the Shrine of Remembrance, with a slight rise around the Royal Botanic Gardens—one of the few mild inclines on the otherwise flat route.
5. Fitzroy Street → Albert Park Lake Loop
At St Kilda Junction, runners turn right into Fitzroy Street and then enter the Albert Park Lake precinct.
The course completes an anti‑clockwise loop around the lake via:
- Lakeside Drive
- Albert Road Drive
- Aughtie Drive, including a U‑turn near Turn 1
This section is flat, open, and known for coastal breezes and wide roads ideal for maintaining a steady pace.
6. Return Toward the City – Fitzroy St → St Kilda Foreshore
After leaving Albert Park, runners re‑enter Fitzroy Street and turn toward the bay, joining the city‑bound lanes of:
- Beaconsfield Parade
- Jacka Boulevard
- Marine Parade
- Ormond Esplanade
A U‑turn near St Kilda Street marks the turnaround point.
This coastal section offers expansive beach views and is typically flat, though wind can be a factor.
7. Final Return Along the Foreshore
Runners head back north along the same beachside roads toward St Kilda, rejoining the main road network that leads back into Melbourne’s city centre.
8. Final Kilometres Into the MCG
The course funnels runners back into the central city before delivering one of the most iconic finishes in global road racing:
🟦 A full lap inside the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
This stadium finish is considered the hallmark of the Melbourne Marathon Festival.
🏁 Finish – Inside the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
Crossing the finish line inside the MCG—surrounded by spectators in a world‑class sporting arena—is widely regarded as one of the most memorable marathon finishes anywhere.
