2026 Nike Melbourne Marathon - Oct 11

2026 Nike Melbourne Marathon - Oct 11 Race Completed

Race Completed

This marathon has finished. Check back for next year's edition.

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Race Information

Race2026 Nike Melbourne Marathon - Oct 11
CityMelbourne
Date2026-10-11 at 06:15
Time Limit7 hours 45 min
Cutoff pace11:01/km
Course speed
Typical pace Speed index 0.96 — median of the last 5 winners' times against the global same-year median. Winner times track elite fields and prize money, so this reads the course as a proxy, not a pure measurement.
TimezoneAustralia/Melbourne
Official SiteMelbourne Marathon

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Race Day Weather

Average Temperature13.5°C / 56°F
Humidity75%
Peak Wind23.1 km/h
Rain Chance43%
Typical ConditionsOctober is spring in Melbourne. The climate card gives historical race-week conditions, not a forecast for the start line or Beach Road. Use the latest local forecast to plan your race kit.

What to Prepare: Bring a removable layer for the start and check the wind forecast for the bayside sections. Enter the forecast in the Weather Score tool to assess conditions; the calculator does not retrieve forecasts.

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

The wind figure is a historical race-week statistic, not a race-day headwind forecast. Check the forecast direction and exposed sections, then use your running pace and wind direction in the wind calculator; this number alone cannot determine a seconds-per-kilometre penalty.

Calculate your wind-adjusted pace →

Race-Week Climate

Based on 20 years of race-week weather (2005-2024), MERRA-2 reanalysis

Cooler Typical Warmer
Temperature 10.8°C 12.9°C 17.3°C
Dew point 5.7°C 8.3°C 11.4°C
Wet-day chance: 43% Runnability: 74/100

Data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis), NASA Langley Research Center

Course Profile

Course TypeUrban Coastal Out-and-Back
Elevation Gain185m
TerrainRoad
ProfileThe course starts on Batman Avenue, runs through central Melbourne and the coastal area, and finishes inside the MCG. Do not confuse full-marathon participation with the festival total across all distances.
Boston QualifierYes — Check your BQ time

Finisher Trend

Year Finishers vs prev.
2024 8,688 —
2025 12,144 +39.8%

Runners who crossed the line, not the registered field size.

Course Analysis

Course overview

The 2026 full marathon was held on 11 October, starting on Batman Avenue and finishing inside the MCG. The festival also held shorter distances on 10 October; those entries are not part of the full-marathon field count.

Finding the start

The official race-week guide places the start on Batman Avenue near the MCG and Rod Laver Arena. Use the applicable year’s start-area map to find your corral rather than an approximate landmark distance.

The MCG finish

The marathon finishes inside the MCG. Use the official course map to locate the approach and spectator access. Exact kilometre-by-kilometre route claims and an unverified percentage reduction in elevation have been withdrawn.

Planning another edition

The 2026 event has finished. For a future entry, check the new course map, start groups and aid-station guide before setting splits or buying supplies. The current 2027 waitlist is an interest list; the inspected official pages have not established a 2027 date.

Training in Melbourne

Arriving early? Explore daily running routes and local tips.

Prepare for 2026 Nike Melbourne Marathon - Oct 11

Use our free training tools to get race-ready:

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Frequently Asked Questions

When is the 2026 Nike Melbourne Marathon?

The 2026 full marathon took place on Sunday 11 October at 6:15am, with the half marathon at 9:45am. Shorter festival races ran on Saturday 10 October. The official Race Week guide locates the start on Batman Avenue near the MCG.

Can I still enter the 2026 race, or join the 2027 waitlist?

The 2026 event has finished. Its second-chance marathon ballot ran from 27 April to 4 May, with standard entry A$245 plus postage for successful applicants. The official waitlist now concerns 2027 interest; it does not guarantee a place. A 2027 race date and entry fee have not been established in the official pages checked.

Where does the course finish?

The marathon finishes inside the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Use the official course map for the applicable edition; route changes and elevation estimates from another year are not a guarantee for 2027.

Is the Nike Melbourne Marathon a BQ-qualifying race?

For Boston qualification, check the applicable course certificate and the B.A.A. qualifying window before choosing an edition. The old description overstated Melbourne as a Major-tier event and promised benefits from unverified route-change figures; those claims have been withdrawn.

What's the weather typically like on race day?

October is spring in Melbourne. The climate card gives historical race-week conditions, not a forecast for the start line or Beach Road. Use the latest local forecast to plan your race kit.

Bring a removable layer for the start and check the wind forecast for the bayside sections. Enter the forecast in the Weather Score tool to assess conditions; the calculator does not retrieve forecasts.

How should I compare Melbourne and Sydney?

Compare the same year of each event: entry route, confirmed date and course matter more than total festival attendance. Melbourne 2026 has finished, while its 2027 waitlist is only an interest list.

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