4000 individuals have signed up for the two-day running festival across the courses of 1 mile, 5km, 10km, a half marathon and the marathon.
Before the city gets transformed with neon lights and projections for the annual White Night Ballarat, the streets will be filled with activewear for another world-class event set to add to the rich sporting and cultural tapestry of the region: the inaugural Ballarat Marathon.
Happening this weekend on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 April, the Ballarat Marathon is designed to celebrate the city’s sporting cultural and promote health and wellbeing. Built for both the elite and recreational athletes, the courses will showcase one of regional Victoria’s more beautiful and historic cities.
Ballarat Marathon Details
Saturday 27 April 2024
- Registration: 10am at The Mining Exchange
- Races: Brooks 5km, Power FM Mile
- Activities: Running Expo, Armstrong Street South, Ballarat Marathon Pasta Party
Sunday 28 April 2024
- Registration: 6am at The Mining Exchange
- Races: Wheelchair 10km, City of Ballarat Half Marathon, Federation University Marathon, 10km
- Activities: Running Expo, Armstrong Street South, Ballarat Marathon Pasta Party
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.
Registration and pack collection for all running events opens from Friday 26 April, from 12pm – 8pm setup at The Mining Exchange, and again each morning of the races, with Saturday at 10am and Sunday at 6am.
The Saturday holds the Brooks 5km and the Power FM mile, tracking through the beautiful inner city, starting at the corner of Sturt Street and Armstrong Street with the finish line outside of Ballarat Town Hall. These races are broken up into sessions to cater to all abilities, taking into account both age and gender for the elite sessions.
Event Schedule – Saturday 27 April 2024
- 10am – Registration & Pack Collection Open (The Mining Exchange)
- 10am – Expo Open (Armstrong St South)
BROOKS 5KM
- 2:30pm – Mass start (corner Sturt St & Lydiard St South)
- 3:30pm – Women’s Elite start (corner Sturt St & Lydiard St South)
- 4pm – Men’s Elite start (corner Sturt St & Lydiard St South)
POWER FM MILE
- 4:30pm – Mass start (corner Sturt St and Armstrong St South)
- 5pm – 16 & Under Boys Elite start (corner Sturt St and Armstrong St South)
- 5.02pm – 16 & Under Girls Elite start (corner Sturt St and Armstrong St South)
- 5:15pm – Women’s Elite start (corner Sturt St and Armstrong St South)
- 5:30pm – Men’s Elite start (corner Sturt St and Armstrong St South)
- 5.45pm – Presentations (Event Stage)
- 6pm – Expo Closed
- 7pm – Registration & Pack Collection Closed
True to the festival title, the event is anchored by the Federation University Marathon and Half Marathon on the Sunday. A scenic Steve Moneghetti-designed 21.1km course that starts at Ballarat Town Hall taking runners into Victoria Park, through the Arch of Victory, around Lake Wendouree and circling back through Lydiard and Sturt Street, this course is both stunning and gruelling. The Sunday also includes the Wheelchair 10km, and the standard 10km, both starting outside of Myer Ballarat at varying times.
Event Schedule – Sunday 28 April 2024
- 6am – Registration & Pack Collection Open (The Mining Exchange)
- 6am – Expo Open (Armstrong St South)
WHEELCHAIR 10KM
- 7:55am – 10KM Wheelchair start (outside Myer Ballarat – 301 Sturt St)
CITY OF BALLARAT HALF MARATHON & FEDERATION UNIVERSITY MARATHON
- 8am – Marathon Mass start (Ballarat Town Hall – 225 Sturt St)
- 8am – Half Marathon Mass start (Ballarat Town Hall – 225 Sturt St)
- 11am – Registration & Pack Collection Closed
10KM
- 11:15am – 10KM Mass start (outside Myer Ballarat – 301 Sturt St)
- 12:30pm – Presentations (Event Stage)
- 3pm – Expo, Bag Drop & Event Close
First, second and third place winners will not only receive the title of the first Ballarat Marathon race winner in their category and a medal, they will also receive a monetary prize. The winner of the main Ballarat Marathon event will receive a whopping $6000 for their outstanding endurance and pace.
With 4000 individuals already registered to run, the CBD is expecting a major influx of foot traffic with the event’s overall local economic injection sitting at more than $1 million. Many of the CBD accommodation providers are at full capacity. On the hospitality front, the Ballarat Marathon has included a major event to help cafes and restaurants to leverage the influx. Ballarat Marathon Pasta Party will involve hospitality venues helping runners get their carbohydrates boost to fuel both local and visiting athletes and spectators. A list of participating venues can be found here.
There will also be a Ballarat Marathon Expo setup on Armstrong Street South next to the Ballarat Town Hall. The expo will feature industry-leading brands and event partners, showcasing the latest running-related products, services, offerings and innovations. The official Ballarat Marathon merchandise will be for sale and the tent will house the presentation of the race winners, with an engraver onsite to inscribe finishers’ medals.
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Ballarat Marathon is a charity fundraising event, with the money already raised exceeding tens of thousands of dollars sitting at roughing $70,000 raised for dozens of charities. The Ballarat Health Services Foundation is the event official charity. Participants who raise $500 or more for the Foundation via the Grassrootz platform will have their entry fee refunded. Donations are encouraged even if you are not involved in the event, and can be made here.
There will be road closures to allow for the courses both on weekend and during setup. A full list of road closures can be found here, but most notably Sturt Street will be closed to all traffic from Grenville Street to Golf Club Drive from 6am – 3pm on Sunday. Pedestrian access to shops along the course will be maintained at all times, and there will be frequent pedestrian crossing points and opportunities.
The Ballarat Marathon is a huge event for the region and will hopefully turn into an annual festival of running.
Further information including course maps and details, schedules, prize information, frequently asked questions and fundraising opportunities can be found here.
