Melbourne · Australia
Half Marathon races near Melbourne
16 races in 2026
next one in 11 days
Race calendar
Upcoming Half Marathon races near Melbourne
JUL 4
12JUL
Run · road · Half Marathon
RunThrough Albert Park 5K, 10K & Half Marathon July 2026
Melbourne · 4 km away
12JUL
Run · road · Half Marathon
Melbourne Albert Park 5K, 10K & Half Marathon
Melbourne · 23 km away
19JUL
Run · road · Half Marathon
21.1K | 10K | 5.5K | KIDS DASH
Melbourne
19JUL
Run · road · Half Marathon
RUN MELBOURNE 21.1K | 10K | 5.5K | KIDS DASH
Melbourne
AUG 7
9AUG
Run · road · Half Marathon
Berwick Half Marathon, Quarter Marathon & 5K
Melbourne · 43 km away
+11 more Half Marathon racesShow fewer ↓
16AUG
Run · road · Half Marathon
Coburg Harriers Half Marathon
Melbourne · 9 km away
23AUG
Run · road · Half Marathon
Yarra River Running Festival
Templestowe · 17 km away
23AUG
Run · road · Half Marathon
GCCC - Barwon Valley Park Half Marathon & 5K
Geelong · 67 km away
30AUG
Run · road · Half Marathon
1K | 10K | 5K Green Point, Brighton Melbourne BRIGHTON BEACH MARATHON 42
Brighton · 13 km away
30AUG
Run · road · Half Marathon
42.2K | 21.1K | 10K | 5K
Melbourne
30AUG
Run · road · Half Marathon
42.2K | 21.1K | 10K | 5K <div id="shopify-section-6174199b-6d59-4ab5-92d4-21831c5339ca"
Melbourne
SEP 5
13SEP
Run · road · Half Marathon
Kieser Maribyrnong River Run
Footscray · 6 km away
13SEP
Run · road · Half Marathon
Sri Chinmoy Yarra Boulevard Half Marathon
Burnley · 5 km away
20SEP
Run · road · Half Marathon
1K | 10K | 5K " style=";" /> CARMAN'S FUN RUN SYDNEY 21
Melbourne
20SEP
Run · road · Half Marathon
Run Prix
Albert Park · 3 km away
20SEP
Run · road · Half Marathon
21.1K | 10K | 5K
Melbourne
Melbourne · 80 km
16 races mapped
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Recurring Half Marathon races near Melbourne
Races that repeat — weekly, monthly or yearly
Melbourne Marathon Festival (Nike)
The Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival is a major road-running event in Melbourne, held annually in October, offering races from the full marathon to short family runs. It is Australia’s largest road race by participation, attracting over 40,000 runners across the marathon, half marathon, 10km, 5km, 3km, and mini marathon events.
The course is designed for consistent running: fast, flat, and passing Melbourne landmarks and coastal areas before finishing inside the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where participants complete a lap of the MCG. The festival now spans two days, with shorter races on Saturday and the longer events as the main focus on race day. It also attracts international runners via travel packages including accommodation, meals, race support, and guaranteed entry. The Nike title sponsorship generated additional interest after organizers issued an apology for altered social media images that removed rival shoe logos from runner photographs.
Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival
Batman Avenue provides a grand start, after which the route proceeds on mostly flat, sealed roads designed for consistent pacing. The Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival offers the atmosphere of a dedicated running weekend, not just a single race start. Families, novices, and experienced runners converge towards the same finish line at the MCG. It is structured as an "iconic half marathon": run past well-known sights, maintain your pace, and conclude with a lap on the revered MCG turf.
The course suits those aiming for a measured effort or a personal best, but it is more than just a time trial. The Half Marathon now follows the reverse direction, allowing participants to witness the Marathon conclusion before their own start, even filling the stadium to cheer from the stands. That "unforgettable MCG finish" is the main draw: paved roads, urban atmosphere, and a final lap where the stadium provides the spectacle.
21.1K | 10K | 5K | Kids Dash Rond Terrace, Parkes
Rond Terrace in Parkes hosts a capital-streets fun run with a genuine runner’s feel: determination, adrenaline, and inspiration without unnecessary complexity. The course is fast and flat, passing the Old and New Parliament Houses, making it suitable for runners aiming for personal bests and those completing their first race.
On course, the appeal is straightforward: notable landmarks, AIMS-certified running, drink stations, timing, and pacers to ease nerves when aiming for an honest effort. After the finish, unwind in the event village with food, coffee, live entertainment, recovery options, a PB Bell, cheer-sign making, and a positive atmosphere, with children included in the day's activities.
THE CANBERRA TIMES FUN RUN 21.1K | 10K | 5K | Kids Dash
Rond Terrace in Parkes serves as the starting point, with the course extending past notable landmarks such as the Old and New Parliament Houses. The Canberra Times Fun Run offers a capital-city event atmosphere that is not overly formal, featuring ample determination, adrenaline, and inspiration, while remaining welcoming for participants new to running and families with children joining for the short race.
21.1K | 10K | 5K | Kids Dash
Rond Terrace in Parkes serves as the central point, with the course winding through the capital, passing the Old and New Parliament Houses. It has the atmosphere of a large community fun run rather than a demanding competition, yet there is still considerable "determination, adrenaline, and inspiration" among the participants, as over 5,000 runners pursue their objectives.
The route is swift and level, suitable for establishing a steady pace early on, allowing participants to either "hit a PB or complete your first race." The event welcomes beginners, families, and children. Following the finish, a bustling event village offers entertainment, food and coffee vendors, a PB Bell, areas for creating cheer signs, a recovery zone, medals, hydration stations, and spectator areas.
Hobsons Bay Half Marathon & 10K
The Hobsons Bay Half Marathon & 10K begins at Logan Reserve in Altona, located in Melbourne’s western suburbs. Participants can choose between two standard distances: a 21.1 km half marathon or a 10 km race. The course is designed for speed and comfort, featuring sealed surfaces, wide paths, and smooth terrain.
The course runs along the Hobsons Bay foreshore, offering participants views of the waterfront instead of navigating city streets. Its flat profile is ideal for runners aiming for a fast time, and the 10K option combined with the smooth paths makes it accessible for recreational runners. This event marks the first Hobsons Bay Half Marathon & 10K.
2XU Wellness Run
Albert Park Lake provides the half marathon's start: a loop with city skyline views before the field proceeds to Fitzroy Street, Beach Road, and the finish in Catani Gardens, St Kilda. The 2XU Wellness Run has the feel of a community race with a cause, supporting Beyond Blue, and the route is described as “Arguably Melbourne s best single-lap Half Marathon course.”
Expect a flat bayside run suited for steady pacing, with Beach Road under palm trees, Luna Park nearby, and coastal air before the finish at Catani Gardens. Prams are permitted in the last wave, younger runners have a junior option, and the first 15,000 participants in the main events receive the new event t-shirt, a race-day marker before the finisher medal.
Run for the Young Marathon
The Run for the Young Marathon begins at Mount Lilydale Mercy College in Lilydale, Victoria. The race headquarters are situated near Anderson Street, bordering the Yarra Valley. This event serves as a community fundraiser organized by Bridge Builders Youth Charity, offering various distances: 2.5km, 5km, 10km, a half marathon, and a full marathon. Specifically, the 2.5km Kids Run is designed for children aged 12 and under, making the day suitable for families alongside those aiming for a 42.2km finish.
The event has been held for over ten years, with all proceeds supporting Bridge Builders' youth programs. The course accommodates walkers, children, steady runners, and novice marathoners. Competitive runners can aim for course records, which stand at 2:29:12 for men and 3:09:00 for women in the marathon. The marathon course remains open for six hours, and all drink stations are plastic-free.
Looking for something else near Melbourne?
Other races in the next 90 days
JUL 44 km away
cycling
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JUL 1950 km away
duathlon
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AUG 14 km away
cycling
VRR Tan Time Trial: August
AUG 43 km away
other
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AUG 830 km away
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AUG 942 km away
other
Berwick Half
AUG 1556 km away
other
Wonderfalls
AUG 1613 km away
duathlon
WSTC Duathlon Series: Race 2
About Half Marathon races in Melbourne
Melbourne Training Notes
Melbourne hosts 24 Half Marathon races in 2026 within 80 km of the city centre — upcoming dates, recurring series, and other races nearby, all in one place.
The route is 8 km and still bites on Anderson Street hill. The lap is 8 km, and two laps makes about 10 km. The circuit is 2 km. North side runners link Merri Creek, Yarra paths, Royal Park, and Princes Park for base miles. Full of Beans run club meets at the Maribyrnong River on Wednesday evenings. Nile Run Club meets every Saturday at 9am on The Tan. ASICS Run Melbourne and the Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival are the anchor events.
Riders make Yarra Boulevard a weekday staple because the loop gives 13 km and about 200 m of climbing per lap. Beach Road hugs Port Phillip Bay and stays the classic long Z2 roll through Port Melbourne, St Kilda, Elwood, Brighton, Sandringham, Mentone, and Frankston. Tour de Burbs meets every Tuesday and Thursday nights at Chandler Highway and Yarra Boulevard. The Dandenong Ranges hold the 1 in 20 and The Wall, and The Wall averages 10% in parts. Arthur’s Seat, Kinglake, Mount Hotham, and Mt Dandenong handle the bigger climbing days. Amy’s Gran Fondo, Highlands Fling, and Gembrook Gravel Explorer sit on the anchor-event list.
Spring and summer are the best months when runners and riders want longer daylight, warm mornings, and steady base miles. Summer weather can swing because Melbourne sits between hot inland areas and the cool southern ocean. Strong cold fronts, thunderstorms, hail, gales, and big temperature drops can turn an easy Z2 day into a layers check. Winter stays cool, often cloudy, and exceptionally dry by southern Victorian standards because the Otway and Macedon Ranges sit in the weather story. Runners keep using The Tan, Albert Park Lake, and the creek paths. Riders shift effort between Beach Road, Yarra Boulevard intervals, gravel, and climbs when conditions line up.