2027 Ballarat Marathon - Apr 18 Countdown

-- DAYS

-- HRS

-- MIN

-- SEC

Want personality modes & weather integration? Try the full countdown experience

Race Information

Race	2027 Ballarat Marathon - Apr 18
City	Ballarat
Date	2027-04-18 at 08:00
Field Size	~3,000 runners
Time Limit	6 hours
Timezone	Australia/Melbourne
Official Site	Run Ballarat (Ballarat Marathon Festival)
Registration	Register

Race Day Weather

Average Temperature	10°C / 50°F
Humidity	75%
Wind	15 km/h
Rain Chance	30%
Typical Conditions	Mid-April is autumn in the Southern Hemisphere, and Ballarat sits inland at ~435m, so it runs cool. An 8am start typically sees ~7-11°C (45-52°F), climbing into the mid-teens (around 15-16°C / 59-61°F) by late morning. Mornings are often crisp and clear, humidity averages ~75%, wind is light at ~15 km/h, and rain risk is low-to-moderate (~30%). These are among the more favourable racing temperatures in the Australian calendar.

What to Prepare: Dress for ~9°C at the gun but expect to warm 5-6°C by the finish: singlet or short-sleeve plus arm sleeves or a throwaway top you can ditch after a few kilometres. The chilly inland start can mislead pacing — check the Weather Score tool and bank a small buffer rather than going out hot. Light gloves help at the 8am start in a cold snap.

Based on historical averages for race week. Use our Weather Score Calculator and What to Wear Guide for personalized advice.

Wind Impact on Race Day

Wind at 15 km/h can affect your marathon pace by 5-15 seconds per kilometer. Headwinds slow you down exponentially — a 20 km/h wind costs more than twice a 10 km/h wind.

Calculate your wind-adjusted pace →

Course Profile

Course Type	Two-lap loop (same start/finish)
Elevation Gain	98m
Terrain	Sealed road throughout, past heritage Sturt Street, Lake Wendouree, Victoria Park and the Arch of Victory; tree-lined autumn streets in central Ballarat.
Profile	Gently rolling and fast — only ~98m total elevation gain across the two 21.1km laps, with no significant climbs. Designed by Australian marathon legend Steve Moneghetti for honest, PB-friendly pacing.
Boston Qualifier	Yes — Check your BQ time

Prepare for 2027 Ballarat Marathon - Apr 18

Use our free training tools to get race-ready:

Running Pace Calculator — Min/km, Finish Time & Pace Chart

Free running pace calculator for 5K, 10K, half marathon, and marathon. Get min/km or min/mile, your ...

Use Calculator →

Free Pace Band Generator — Printable Race Day Wristband

Free printable pace band for marathon, half marathon, or custom distance. Choose even, negative, or ...

Use Calculator →

Marathon Wake-Up Time Calculator — Race Morning Timeline

7 AM race, wake at 3:45 AM? Enter the gun time; we work backward through meal, gear, bathroom, warm-...

Use Calculator →

Dew Point Running Calculator — Pace Adjustment Chart

Enter temperature and humidity to calculate dew point and its impact on your running pace. 7-zone ch...

Use Calculator →

Wind Effect on Running — How Much Does Wind Slow You?

How much does a headwind actually slow you down? This free calculator turns wind speed and direction...

Use Calculator →

Marathon Predictor — 5K, 10K & Half Marathon Race Predictor

Free marathon predictor — convert your 5K, 10K, or half marathon time into race-day estimates from R...

Use Calculator →

View all running tools

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the 2027 Ballarat Marathon and what time does it start?

The 2027 Ballarat Marathon is on Sunday 18 April 2027, with the full marathon starting at 8am local time (Australia/Melbourne). It is the headline event of the Ballarat Marathon Festival weekend (17-18 April), which also includes half marathon, 10km and shorter distances.

How do I enter, and when does registration open?

Entry is open to all — no ballot or qualifying time required. Register directly on the official site at ballaratmarathon.com.au. 2027 registrations open at 5pm Sunday 12 July 2026. The full marathon has historically sold out well before race weekend, so enter early; 2027 tier pricing is yet to be confirmed (for reference, the 2026 full marathon opened at A$195 in the earliest tier and rose as tiers filled).

Is the Ballarat Marathon a Boston qualifier?

Yes. The course is World Athletics certified, so a qualifying time run here is valid for Boston Marathon entry. The fast, low-elevation profile (about 98m total gain) makes it a realistic PB and BQ target. Check your age-group standard with the Boston Qualifying calculator before you race.

What is the course like and how hard is it?

The marathon is two laps of a 21.1km loop designed by Australian marathon great Steve Moneghetti, passing heritage Sturt Street, Lake Wendouree, Victoria Park and the Arch of Victory. It is gently rolling and fast, with only ~98m of total elevation gain and no major climbs — a course built for even pacing. Use the Pace Calculator to set your splits.

What is the cutoff time?

The marathon cutoff is six hours after the last runner crosses the start line. That gives a generous window for first-timers and walkers, though most aid and road closures wind down toward that limit, so plan your pacing to stay comfortably inside six hours.

How do I get to Ballarat?

Ballarat is about 110km northwest of Melbourne. Fly into Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine), then drive (~1.5 hours) or take a V/Line train from Southern Cross Station to Ballarat Station (~90 minutes). The compact city centre means most race-weekend accommodation is within walking distance of the start.

How big is the field and what is the weather like?

Launched only in 2024, the festival now draws almost 12,000 entrants across all distances, making the full marathon Australia's fourth-largest (behind Sydney, Gold Coast and Melbourne). Mid-April is autumn: cool, often clear mornings around 7-11°C at the 8am start, warming to the mid-teens — favourable marathon conditions.