Triathlon
TriathlonAustralia
Noosa Triathlon
Noosa, Queensland·Date to be confirmed
One of the world's largest Olympic-distance triathlons on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.
RunningAustralia
Melbourne Marathon
Melbourne, Victoria·Date to be confirmed·Marathon / Half Marathon / 10 km / 5 km / 3 km
Col de Sud is an independent coaching and information platform. Event details may change. Always confirm dates, entry requirements and course information with the official event organiser.
Quick Information
At a glance.
Location
📍 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Usually Held
🗓 Early October
2026 Event Date
Date to be confirmed
Distances
Marathon · Half Marathon · 10 km · 5 km · 3 km
Course Type
Road
Difficulty
Beginner
Entries
Date to be confirmed
Official Website
Last Updated
November 2025
Countdown
Race date to be confirmed
Preparing for this event?
Recommended plan: 16 Week Marathon Build.
- ✔First marathon
- ✔PB attempt
- ✔Boston qualifier
Overview
The event.
The Melbourne Marathon has grown into Australia's largest running festival, drawing more than 40,000 participants across all distances. The course loops through Albert Park, St Kilda beach, Fitzroy Gardens and the Yarra River before finishing with a lap of the Melbourne Cricket Ground — a stadium-finish moment that has become iconic for Australian runners. The route is fast, flat and well-supported, making it a strong choice for personal best attempts.
Spring in Melbourne, cool mornings, live bands, huge crowds along St Kilda Road and a stadium finish under the MCG lights.
Who it suitsPB hunters, first-time marathoners after their debut, and Australian runners chasing a Boston or major qualifier.
Distances
Marathon
Half Marathon
10 km
5 km
3 km
Course Breakdown
The route.
- Course profile
- Flat. Around 60m of total elevation gain.
- Surface
- Sealed road, closed to traffic.
- Elevation
- To be confirmed
- Aid stations
- Every 2.5–3km.
- Expected conditions
- Cool spring morning, 8–18°C.
Difficulty Snapshot
Col de Sud assessment.
Endurance
Climbing
Technical
Weather exposure
Beginner suitability
General Col de Sud assessment — not an official event rating.
Typical Conditions
What to expect.
- Temperature
- 8–18°C
- Humidity
- Moderate
- Wind
- Light
- Rain likelihood
- Low–moderate
- Water temperature
- TBC
- Altitude
- TBC
How to Train
Preparing your body.
Recommended preparation
16 weeks for most runners; 20 for first-timers.
Long sessions
Peak long runs 32–35km, with marathon-pace segments.
Strength training
Twice weekly strength through the base and build phases.
Recovery
Two rest / very easy days weekly.
Course-specific prep
Practise flat sustained pace — Melbourne rewards even splits.
Nutrition practice
Rehearse fuelling on every long run; the course has aid every 3km.
Key weekly sessions
- — Long run
- — Threshold session
- — Marathon-pace tempo
- — 2–3 easy runs
Race Weekend Guide
Plan your trip.
Travel
Melbourne Airport (MEL). Skybus to Southern Cross Station, then a short tram ride.
Accommodation
Stay in Southbank, CBD or St Kilda Road for easy start-line access.
Packet collection
Race expo at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Parking
Limited near the MCG — take a tram or train.
Public transport
Free public transport with your race bib on race morning.
Weather
Melbourne spring is unpredictable — pack layers.
What to pack
Warm-up layer, throwaway top, gels, bib, timing chip.
Nutrition
Book a familiar pasta or rice option Saturday night.
Recovery
Warm-up walk along the Yarra River after the race.
Local cafés
Patricia Coffee Brewers in the CBD or Auction Rooms in North Melbourne.
After the race
Grand Final week atmosphere, laneway bars, Yarra Valley or Great Ocean Road day trip.
Frequently Asked
Questions we hear.
Does the Melbourne Marathon finish inside the MCG?+
Yes — the final 400m of every distance finishes on the MCG turf.
How flat is the Melbourne Marathon?+
Very flat, with total elevation gain around 60m and only minor undulations.
When do entries open?+
Entries typically open in December for the following October event. Check the official website for exact dates.
Is there a half marathon option?+
Yes — plus a 10km, 5km and 3km event.
What's the marathon cutoff?+
The marathon cutoff is 6 hours from your start wave.
Col de Sud Coaching
Train for your next mountain.
Preparing for this event? Col de Sud can help you build a realistic plan around your fitness, experience, work and family commitments.
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Last details checked: November 2025