My marathons

Run for the Kids

07:307:30 AM Melbourne
Bolte Bridge
Bolte Bridge. Photograph by Crisco 1492, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The course

The 14.4 km long course starts in Footscray Road, Docklands, climbs onto the Bolte Bridge and later runs through the Domain Tunnel, a once-a-year chance on foot.

The course in short 2 lines
  • Over the Bolte Bridge and through the Domain TunnelBolte Bridge climb, then the Domain Tunnel, in the 14.4 km long course.
  • Kings Domain, Southbank and a Collins Street finishKings Domain, Southbank Promenade, then Collins Street down to the finish.
Course notes 2 short reads on the course
Whole courseGeometryOver the Bolte Bridge and through the Domain TunnelBolte Bridge climb, then the Domain Tunnel, in the 14.4 km long course.

After the bridge the route takes the Westgate Freeway, leaves the tunnel at Batman Avenue and crosses the Swan Street Bridge.

Sourced

Whole courseGeometryKings Domain, Southbank and a Collins Street finishKings Domain, Southbank Promenade, then Collins Street down to the finish.

Aid stations stand at 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10.5 km. The organiser describes the 2027 route as nearly identical to 2026’s.

Sourced

Race fuel

Energy gel
An energy gel sachet
Illustration · drag to turn

No gel needed at this pace

Finish

Under about 75 minutes most runners need no gel: water at the aid stations does it.

For your long training runs:

Our pick: SiS BETA Fuel gel, box of 6, strawberry and lime. 40 g of carbohydrate a gel, about twice a usual gel, from two kinds of sugar your body takes up side by side.

Get it on Amazon

We earn a small fee if you buy through these links. The price is the same.

In Canada the button opens GU Energy Gel, Salted Caramel, 24-pack, the best seller there.

Outside the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Austria and Switzerland, the UK and Ireland, Spain and Portugal, Italy, the rest of the EU and Canada the button opens GU Energy Gel, Chocolate Outrage, 24-pack on Amazon.com, the best seller there.

Anti-chafe
Compeed Anti-blister stick
Photo: Compeed

Compeed

Compeed anti-blister stick, 8 ml

Best selling on Amazon amazon.nl, read 2 Nov

An invisible layer before the start keeps seams, straps and shoes from rubbing skin raw.

Put it on before you leave for the start: heels and toes, inner thighs, under a bra or heart-rate strap.

Try it on a long run first, like everything you use on race day.

Get it on Amazon

We earn a small fee if you buy through these links. The price is the same.

Number belt
A race number belt
Illustration · drag to turn

Compressport Race Belt

Holds your bib without safety pins through your top, with loops for up to 8 gels.

Clip the bib on the night before, so it goes on with your shorts in the morning.

Keep the number on the front, where officials and photographers can see it.

Get it on Amazon

We earn a small fee if you buy through these links. The price is the same.

Electrolytes
A tube of electrolyte tablets
Illustration · drag to turn

SiS Hydro electrolyte tablets, tube of 20

One tablet in a bottle puts back some of the salt you sweat out.

One tablet in 500 ml of water in the hour before the start.

Only if you have used them in training: nothing new on race day.

Get it on Amazon

We earn a small fee if you buy through these links. The price is the same.

Blister plasters
Compeed Blister plasters, medium, 6
Photo: Compeed

Compeed

Compeed blister plasters, medium, 6

Best selling on Amazon amazon.nl, read 2 Nov

One in a pocket cushions a blister if one starts.

Put it on clean, dry skin and leave it until it comes off by itself.

Give a couple to whoever comes to cheer, so they are there at the km you need them.

Get it on Amazon

We earn a small fee if you buy through these links. The price is the same.
distance
14.4 km8.9 mi

Race week

Timetable

Sunday 21 March Race day

  1. 07:307:30 AM

    Long course start: Pre-Qualified Runner and Blue FAST zones Harbour Esplanade, Docklands. For runners under 60 minutes (Pre-Qualified) and 65 to 79 minutes (Blue) over 14.4 km. The blue zone assembles in La Trobe Street by 7:15.

  2. 08:258:25 AM

    Long course start: Red WALK zone Harbour Esplanade, Docklands. For walkers and anyone walking with a pram or wheelchair.

  3. 08:358:35 AM

    Long course start closes No further entrants start the 14.4 km after this time.
The other waves (2)

  1. 07:457:45 AM

    Long course start: Yellow RUN zone Harbour Esplanade, Docklands. For 80 to 99 minutes. Runners with prams go at 7:45, then waves at 7:50 and 7:55.

  2. 08:058:05 AM

    Long course start: Orange JOG zone Harbour Esplanade, Docklands. For 100 to 120 minutes, in two waves at 8:05 and 8:15.

Times as published by the organiser, in Melbourne time, checked .

Add to calendar .ics file, times in Melbourne time

Trip

Getting a place

Entry through the organiser

Entry details on the organiser’s site →

The organiser, a third party. We take no entries and have no part in the race.

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