Melbourne Marathon Festival Returns with Elite Action and Local Heart
The Melbourne Marathon Festival roared back to life on Sunday, turning the city into a hive of running, cheering crowds and tight finishes. Leaders pace the CBD-bound route along Marine Parade in Elwood, edging toward the 25-kilometre mark. Australia’s Jack Rayner and Japan’s Jo Fukuda have been neck-and-neck at the front, underscoring the event’s mix of international competition and local pride.
Elite Race in Focus: Front-Runners and Close Battles
With about 30 seconds separating the leading duo from third place, Fraser Darcy remains within striking distance, following his strong finish at the Sydney Marathon earlier this year. The race highlights how Melbourne doubles as a global stage for distance runners and a celebration of Melbourne’s running culture.
Citywide Road Closures Signal the Big Day
To accommodate thousands of runners and spectators, several major streets were closed around the CBD and Southbank. Flinders Street, St Kilda Road, and Kavanagh Street, among others, were temporarily shut, with closures in Beaconsfield Parade, Fitzroy Street in St Kilda, Marine Parade, and Ormand Esplanade. Officials expected all roads to reopen by late morning to early afternoon as the event wrapped up.
10km Showdown: Home-Grown Triumphs
In a fireworks-capable finish, Ellie Pashley claimed the women’s 10km win at the Melbourne Marathon Festival, adding a Tokyo Olympics appearance in 2021 to her resume. The podium sat with an all-Australian lineup as Stella Radford and Tiana Cetta joined Pashley on the podium. In the men’s 10km, Adam Goddard, 22, surged to victory in 28:39, following his strong form at the South Australian City-Bay race. Yohanes Dagnaw and Zayd Al Sayd completed the podium.
Community Stories on the Ground
Not all the action was on the track. Robyn Kelm, a retired hairdresser and farmer from Horsham, prepared to run the half marathon with the support of a local network—an example of how the event is a family and community affair. Her sister-in-law Glenda Anderson watched with pride, her grandchildren cheering from the sidelines. Kelm’s routine, including early-morning gym visits, underscored the discipline and joy many participants feel toward running as a mental health boost and personal achievement.
Generational and Inspirational Participation
Among the event’s most moving stories was Ross Malcomson, who faces Motor Neurone Disease. Three family members—twin sons Trent and Kane, and Caleb Plumridge—will push him in a modified wheelchair along the 42.2km course. The family has raised tens of thousands for MND Victoria, reflecting the marathon’s power to mobilize support beyond sport. For 68-year-old Ross and others like him, the finish line at the MCG becomes a symbol of perseverance and community spirit.
Milestones and Lifelong Commitments
John Dobson, a 74-year-old Eltham resident, is one of the few runners who has completed every Melbourne Marathon since the race began in 1978. A cancer survivor with osteoarthritis, Dobson says the event is part of his identity. His message to aspiring? Keep moving, support from spectators matters, and finishing is a triumph in itself.
A Morning of Family and Fitness
As the sun rose over the Yarra along Batman Avenue, families like Sam and Ed Bingley exemplified the event’s family-friendly spirit. Ed, participating in his first 10km, joined his father, who has logged multiple marathons, in a routine built on training together on Melbourne’s beaches. The event’s breadth—from global elites to first-time 10km runners—highlights why the Melbourne Marathon Festival remains a cornerstone of Australia’s running calendar.
Looking Ahead
With the half marathon kicking off at 7:30am and thousands more joining the streets, Melbourne reaffirmed its reputation as a running city. From elite showdowns to powerful stories of perseverance and community, the Melbourne Marathon Festival once again delivered a day of sport, solidarity and celebration.
