Melbourne Marathon route map
42.2 km from Batman Avenue down St Kilda Road to the bay, along the foreshore and round Albert Park Lake, and back to finish on the turf inside the MCG. The new 2026 course kilometre by kilometre, and your own race drawn with your chip time.
Melbourne Marathon course at a glance
- Distance
- 42.195 km (26.2 miles)
- Start
- Batman Avenue, moved 250 m towards Flinders Street for 2026
- Finish
- Inside the MCG
- New for 2026
- Up to 20% less climbing, about 30% fewer turns, and no climb at 36 km
- Time limit
- 7 hours 45 minutes on gun time, reaching the MCG entry by 2 pm
- Next race
- October 2027, date to be confirmed
The map is plotted from the published route. Check the organiser's site for this year's exact course.
The Melbourne Marathon route, kilometre by kilometre
- The start to about 6.5 kmFrom Batman Avenue south down St Kilda Road, then down Fitzroy Street towards the water.
- About 6.5 to 13 kmSouth along the bay past Elwood to the Esplanade turnaround around 13 km, near Brighton Baths.
- About 13 to 27 kmBack north along the foreshore to Fitzroy Street, out to a U-turn on Dow Street around 23 km, and back to Acland Street in St Kilda.
- About 28 to 35 kmA lap of Albert Park Lake, the Grand Prix circuit, on Ross Gregory Drive and Lakeside Drive.
- The last 7 kmNorth up St Kilda Road into the city, along Flinders Street and Wellington Parade South, and into the MCG for the finish.
Where it hurts
The foreshore
Flat but exposed, and the wind off the bay can go either way.
Albert Park Lake
Around 30 km, just where the legs start to go.
The run home
St Kilda Road is long and straight. The old climb at 36 km has gone, which helps.
Elevation
The organiser says the 2026 course has up to 20% less climbing than before, having cut the 2 km climb at 36 km from Birdwood Avenue to Domain Road, and the false finish on Southbank Boulevard. It hasn't yet published a figure.
Your Melbourne Marathon, with your chip time
Your own race drawn street by street from your watch, the landmarks named, and your chip time on a finisher's medal hung from the top of the print.
The print shown is the Rome Marathon. Yours is drawn from your own Melbourne Marathon file.
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Good questions
What changed on the 2026 Melbourne Marathon course?
It now runs in the reverse direction towards Beach Road, has about 30% fewer turns, and drops the climb at 36 km and the false finish on Southbank Boulevard. The organiser says that means up to 20% less climbing.
Where does the Melbourne Marathon start and finish?
It starts on Batman Avenue, 250 m closer to Flinders Street than before, and finishes inside the MCG.
Does it still go past St Kilda?
Yes: down Fitzroy Street to the foreshore, and back past Acland Street later on.
What are the cut-offs?
7 hours 45 minutes on gun time, and you have to reach the MCG entry by 2 pm.
When is the next Melbourne Marathon?
October 2027, on the second day of the festival weekend. The organiser hasn't confirmed the date yet.
Can I order a print before race day?
Yes. Order now, choose Send later, and send your file after you finish.
Course details from the organiser, checked September 2026. Custom Map Print is not connected to the race or its organisers. The 2013 Melbourne Marathon, with the city behind: Chris Phutully, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
More marathon route maps
- Gold Coast Marathon route mapNext race Sunday 4 July 2027
- Sydney Marathon route mapNext race Sunday 29 August 2027
- NYC Marathon route mapNext race Sunday 1 November 2026
- London Marathon route mapNext race 24 and 25 April 2027
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