What Race Distances and Events Are Offered at the Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival?

Updated

The Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival offers seven events across two days: the marathon-distance races (42.195KM Nike Melbourne Marathon and Nike Wheelchair Marathon) and the 21.1KM Nike Half Marathon on Sunday, plus the 10KM, 5KM, 3KM and 1KM events on Saturday. The site presents this as "a distance for everyone," so the practical split is simple — longer, more demanding races on Sunday, shorter and more accessible distances on Saturday.

Sunday events: the longer distances

Event Distance
Nike Melbourne Marathon 42.195KM
Nike Wheelchair Marathon 42.195KM
Nike Half Marathon 21.1KM

These are the headline races of the festival. The marathon and wheelchair marathon share the classic 42.195KM distance, while the half marathon sits at 21.1KM. If you are targeting a personal best or a first full marathon, this is the day your event falls on.

Saturday events: shorter and more social

Event Distance
SriLankan Airlines 10km 10KM
Dairy Farmers 5km 5KM
Chobani 3km 3KM
Bupa Healthy Cities Mini Marathon 1KM

Saturday is built around shorter distances. The site describes the 10km, 5km and 3km as "the perfect way to soak up the atmosphere, run with friends, and experience the buzz of the city." The 1KM Mini Marathon is the shortest option on the schedule, which makes Saturday the natural fit for families, newer runners or anyone wanting a lower-commitment race.

How to choose your event

  • Chasing a marathon or half marathon: look at Sunday. The 42.195KM and 21.1KM events are the only options at those distances.
  • First race or a relaxed weekend: look at Saturday. The 10KM, 5KM, 3KM and 1KM events let you pick a distance that matches your current fitness.
  • Running with friends or family: Saturday's shorter events are designed for exactly this, and the 1KM Mini Marathon is the most inclusive entry point.
  • Wheelchair racing: the Nike Wheelchair Marathon runs over the full 42.195KM distance on Sunday.

Two-day festival format

The festival now spans a full weekend rather than a single day. Saturday carries the shorter distances and the more social atmosphere; Sunday carries the marathon, wheelchair marathon and half marathon. This split means you can enter a Saturday event as a warm-up or a standalone goal, or commit to one of the Sunday races as your main target.

The 2026 edition is described as the event's most significant transformation in two decades, with redesigned courses, improved amenities, enhanced spectator flow and the new two-day format. If you are planning around a specific distance, confirm your event's day before arranging travel or accommodation.