Melbourne Marathon Festival: a city-wide event of speed and heart
The Melbourne Marathon Festival unfolded across the city’s iconic routes, drawing elite competitors and everyday runners into a shared moment of athleticism and community support. As the male leaders of the Melbourne Marathon, Australia’s Jack Rayner and Japan’s Jo Fukuda, pressed on toward the CBD along Marine Parade in Elwood, spectators watched a tight race unfold. After trimming through the 25-kilometre mark, the pair remained closely matched, underscoring the high level of competition typically seen in Australia’s running calendar.
Following in third place was Fraser Darcy, the standout Australian who also shone at the Sydney Marathon earlier this year. The race route through Melbourne featured major thoroughfares temporarily closed for safety and smooth flow, including Flinders Street, St Kilda Road, Kavanagh Street, and Wellington Parade, with additional closures on Domain Road, Jolimont Road, and Brunton Road. Officials expected the closures to ease by early afternoon as crowds dispersed and runners continued their quest toward the finish line.
As the 42.2-kilometre elite course stretched across the cityscape, other highlight moments came from the 10km race. Ellie Pashley crossed the finish line to win the 10km event, continuing a strong season that included representing Australia at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 where she finished 23rd. Pashley’s win set an Australian podium with Stella Radford in second and Tiana Cetta in third, signaling a proud national sweep in the shorter distance.
The 10km podium wasn’t the only tale of form. Adam Goddard captured the 10km title in 28:39, continuing his impressive run after winning the South Australian City-Bay 14km race earlier this year. Yohanes Dagnaw and Zayd Al Sayd followed in second and third, respectively, as local and international athletes vied for momentum ahead of the half marathon showdown that began later in the day.
Beyond the professional pride, the event carried a strong human-interest thread. Robyn Kelm, a retired hairdresser and farmer from Horsham, was among the thousands expected to conquer the half marathon, starting at 7:30am. At 68, she epitomized the event’s spirit of perseverance, stating that rising early and balancing gym sessions with training is all part of a healthy routine. Her dedication was shared with family by her side—sisters, nephews, and grandchildren all lining the course and cheering on runners along the route.
Another emotional dimension came from Ross Malcomson, who lives with Motor Neurone Disease (MND). Three family members — twin sons Trent and Kane, and Caleb Plumridge — carried Ross in a modified wheelchair along the marathon route with the goal of finishing beside him at the MCG. The family’s commitment to MND Victoria has already raised tens of thousands of dollars, underscoring how endurance events can rally communities around a cause while fueling personal determination.
On the sidelines, veteran runner John Dobson of Eltham offered a candid perspective as one of the few athletes to have run every Melbourne Marathon since the event’s inception in 1978. At 74, a cancer survivor confronting osteoarthritis, he highlighted the marathon’s significance as a core part of his life. His goal remained steady: finish within five and a half hours, inspired by the cheers of relatives and fellow runners who recognize his longstanding commitment.
The spirit of the day extended to families and spectators who gathered along Batman Avenue near the Yarra for the 10km start, including a father and son team, Sam Bingley and his 12-year-old son Ed, who were making their first foray into the 10km event together after months of training on Melbourne’s beaches. For Sam, a past marathoner, the event has always represented a blend of personal growth and familial bonding.
As the sun rose over Melbourne and the river reflected a bright morning, the event demonstrated how sport can bring together elite athletes, amateur runners, and supporters in a shared celebration of endurance, resilience, and local pride. Whether racing toward the finish line in the CBD or cheering from the curb, participants left with memories of a day that put Melbourne’s streets in motion and hearts in rhythm.
What’s next for Melbourne’s runners?
Runners and spectators alike will be keeping an eye on the results, with the marathon’s strategic pacing shaping the rest of the season for many athletes. The city’s sporting calendar often hinges on these moments of performance, community engagement, and personal achievement, all underscored by a commitment to health, charity, and shared experience.
