The Kids 2K Dash is a free 2 km children’s run at Melbourne Park, held the day before ASICS Run Melbourne. It starts outside Rod Laver Arena in the morning, with the event village opening earlier for bib collection and family activities. The race is for children under 14; kids under 12 need an adult with them. Parents can run alongside their children, and participants can either run or walk the course.
The route starts and finishes at Melbourne Park, then uses inner-Melbourne paths and bridges: Tanderrum Bridge, Birrarung Marr, William Barak Bridge, and Garden Square. The finish line is inside the ASICS Run Melbourne Event Village, where water is available post-run. Every child under 14 who finishes with a race bib receives a medal. Vision Australia Seeing Eye Dogs attend the event village, giving families a chance to meet the dogs and learn about the puppy caring program.