Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival

The Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival returns to Melbourne, Australia, on Saturday 10 October and Sunday 11 October 2026. The event is one of Australia's major running festivals and brings together runners across multiple distances, from short community runs through to the full 42.195 kilometre marathon. The 2026 edition introduces a new two day festival format, with races taking place across the weekend and participants finishing at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.

A Two Day Running Festival in Melbourne

The 2026 festival has been expanded into a two day program. Saturday 10 October features the shorter distance events, while Sunday 11 October focuses on the marathon and half marathon. According to the official event schedule, the SriLankan Airlines 10km starts at 07:00, followed by the Dairy Farmers 5km at 08:30, the Chobani 3km at 09:15 and the Bupa Healthy Cities Mini Marathon from 11:00.

Sunday begins with the Nike Melbourne Marathon at 06:15, followed by the Nike Half Marathon at 09:45. The Nike Wheelchair Marathon also takes place on Sunday, with its start scheduled for 06:10.

Nike Melbourne Marathon

The headline event is the Nike Melbourne Marathon, covering the classic 42.195 kilometre marathon distance. The 2026 marathon starts at 06:15 on Sunday 11 October from Batman Avenue. Participants follow a redesigned course through Melbourne before completing their race at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The official event information describes the course as faster and flatter, with fewer turns and changes designed to improve the overall running experience. The route includes notable Melbourne locations and passes areas including Albert Park Lake, Flinders Street Station and the St Kilda beach foreshore before reaching the MCG finish.

Multiple Distances for Different Runners

The festival is designed around a range of running distances. Participants can select from the 42.195km marathon, 21.1km half marathon, 10km run, 5km run, 3km run and 1km mini marathon. A dedicated wheelchair marathon is also included in the program.

This range means the Melbourne Marathon Festival is not limited to experienced marathon runners. The shorter races provide options for people looking for a community running experience, a personal challenge or an introduction to organised road racing.

The Chobani 3km, for example, starts on Batman Avenue and finishes at the MCG. The official event information states that the 2026 course has been extended from 2.5km to 3km and has been designed as a fully on-road route incorporating Melbourne landmarks.

Finish at the Melbourne Cricket Ground

One of the defining features of the festival is its finish at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Participants make their way onto the famous sporting venue and complete a lap of honour around the MCG's playing surface before crossing the finish line.

The MCG is located in the Melbourne area of Jolimont and is one of Australia's best-known sporting venues. The Victorian and Australian heritage authorities recognise its importance as a major sporting and cultural site.

For spectators, the MCG provides an important meeting and viewing point during race weekend. The official event information states that spectators can enter the MCG free of charge on both Saturday and Sunday to watch participants reach the finish.

Runners Expo and Race Week

Race week begins before the main races. The Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival Runners Expo is held at the MCG external concourse between Gates 2 and 3. The expo gives participants an opportunity to collect race materials, discover running products and connect with fitness, nutrition and recovery brands.

The 2026 Runners Expo is scheduled from Wednesday 7 October through Sunday 11 October, with opening hours varying by day. Race Week Offices are also available for race-related assistance and bib collection. Marathon and half marathon participants must collect their race bibs by the day before their race.

Getting to the Festival

The main start area is located on Batman Avenue near the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Rod Laver Arena precinct. The official event organisers recommend arriving at least one hour before the scheduled race start and encourage participants to use public transport because parking around the event precinct is limited and race-day traffic restrictions will be in place.

The MCG itself is well connected to Melbourne's public transport network and is located close to central Melbourne. Its location in Yarra Park also provides convenient pedestrian and cycling connections to surrounding parts of the city.

An Event for Melbourne and the Running Community

The Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival combines competitive distance running with a broader community festival atmosphere. The 2026 edition is particularly significant because organisers describe it as the beginning of a new era for the event, including a two day format, redesigned courses, expanded participant capacity and changes intended to improve participant and spectator movement.

Whether participants are targeting the full marathon distance, preparing for a half marathon, running a shorter distance with friends or taking part in the mini marathon, the festival offers multiple ways to experience race weekend in Melbourne.

With its central Melbourne location, iconic MCG finish and varied race program, the Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival 2026 provides a major sporting weekend for participants, supporters and spectators. The festival officially takes place on 10 and 11 October 2026, with the principal races beginning from Batman Avenue and finishing at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.