The 2026 Running Warehouse Ballarat Marathon entries will open on Sunday 27 April at midday.

The 2026 event will take place over the weekend of 24-26 April.

The 2027 Running Warehouse Ballarat Marathon will take place across the weekend of 16-18 April (the event is coming forward one week due to Anzac Day being on a Sunday).

AT-EVENT BIB COLLECTION LOCATION:
Ballarat Civic Hall - 300 Mair St, Ballarat Central

BIB COLLECTION TIMES:
Friday 25 April: 12pm - 7pm
Saturday 26 April: 9am - 7pm
Sunday 27 April: 6am - 11am

*Collection closes 30 minutes prior to your scheduled event

NOTE: All bibs must be collected. Bibs will not be posted. Personalised bibs are available for everyone who registers prior to March 1.

If you misplace your bib before the event there will be a $20.00 replacement fee.

WHEN DO REGISTRATIONS OPEN?

Registrations for the 2025 Ballarat Marathon road running festival are open, now! REGISTER NOW.

CAN I REGISTER FOR MORE THAN ONE RACE?

Given the Ballarat Marathon road running festival is split over two days, we encourage this!

You can do this an the initial time of entering, or you can log back in to your account at a later date to add additional entries.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN MY ENTRY FEE?

• Pair of Ballarat Marathon-branded high-performance socks from Steigen if you register for the Marathon or Half Marathon (everyone else has the option to purchase the socks during the registration process or via our Race Roster store afterwards)

• Race bib with timing chip

• Access to drink stations & our recovery zone, stocked with products from our friends at Fixx Nutrition

• A finishers’ medal

• Course certified by AIMS and measured to World Athletics standards

• The ability to compete on a stunning and fully closed course that has comprehensive traffic management in place

• Insurance

• First aid and amenities

CAN I PERSONALISE MY BIB?

This was an option, but registration for a personalised bib closed on March 1.

HOW DO I REGISTER A TEAM?

If you wish to create a team, you can do so during the registration process. There is a section called Teams, which will prompt you to answer the required questions.

WHAT IS THE REFUND POLICY?

Refunds are no longer available. If you can no longer make the event, you are still able to transfer your entry to someone else via your Race Roster profile (see below: ‘Can I transfer my entry?’)

CAN I DEFER MY ENTRY?

No*. We will not be offering deferrals for the 2025 Ballarat Marathon. You can either request a refund (see the ‘What is the refund policy?’ FAQ) or transfer your entry to someone else (see the ‘Can I transfer my registration to someone else?’ FAQ)

*If you become pregnant in the lead-up to the 2025 Ballarat Marathon and can no longer race, we will offer a deferral for up to 3 years. Please email us at
info@ballaratmarathon.com.au.

CAN I TRANSFER MY REGISTRATION TO SOMEONE ELSE?

If you have registered for one of our races but are no longer able to take part, you can transfer your registration to someone else. You can do this by logging into your Race Roster registration and clicking on “Transfer”.
*There will be a $10.00 transfer fee from 4th March

CAN I TRANSFER TO A DIFFERENT DISTANCE?

Yes, you can transfer to a different distance. The easiest way to do this is to log into your Race Roster registration and click on “Transfer”.
You can also send us an email requesting a transfer. Email info@ballaratmarathon.com.au.
*From Midnight 24th April, you will not be refunded the difference between your existing event and new event.

ARE THERE AGE RESTRICTIONS?

There are no age restrictions in the MILE and 5KM, however all entrants aged 12 and under must be accompanied by a registered adult.

Entrants in the 10KM must be aged 13 years or older on the day of the event.

Entrants in the Half Marathon must be aged 16 years or older on the day of the event.

Entrants in the Marathon must be aged 18 years or older on the day of the event.

Volunteers must be over the age of 16 unless they are accompanied by a parent or guardian.

CAN I USE A RUNNING VEST?

Yes, we encourage the use of running vests, particularly when it comes to carrying hydration. This helps us reduce the number of single-use cups we need to provide.

CAN I CARRY MY OWN GELS?

Yes, you most certainly can carry your own gels. Fixx Nutrition will be providing gels around the course so that you can rely on these gels if you don’t want to carry your own.

CAN I USE A WHEELCHAIR, PUSH A PRAM OR HAVE AN ASSISTANCE DOG WITH ME IN A RACE?

For safety reasons, wheelchair users competing with a race chair are restricted to the Wheelchair Half Marathon, which will start before our other long races on the Sunday morning. Wheelchair users in a day chair, anyone pushing a pram or participating with an assistance dog are allowed in all distances, but must start at the back of the field and you must observe the cut-off times. Hand cycles are not permitted in any distance.

CAN I RUN WITH HEADPHONES?

We strongly discourage the use of in or over ear headphones on the course.

We will have a range of on course entertainment and plenty of spectators to keep the vibes high!

If you do choose to use headphones while running, please ensure that you are still able to hear what is happening around you.

CAN I HAVE SOMEONE HAND ME GELS/HYDRATION/FUEL OUTSIDE OF DESIGNATED DRINK STATIONS?

Elite runners must adhere to World Athletics rules and may only receive assistance from official drink stations.

If you are not an Elite/Preferred runner, you may choose to receive support from friends or family at designated points along the course.

NOTE: Those providing assistance must travel via open roads. Bikes/Scooters are not permitted on any section of the course (except for event officials). Neuron Scooters will be geolocked and will not function within the course during the event.

WHERE DO THE RACES START AND FINISH?
The event hub is outside the Ballarat Town Hall (225 Sturt St, Ballarat Central). Each race finishes right out the front of the Town Hall, with the exception of the 10km event, which starts from the corner of Sturt and Raglan streets, Ballarat Central (a short walk from Town Hall).

HAVE YOUR COURSES BEEN CERTIFIED BY AIMS AND WORLD ATHLETICS?

Yes. Our courses have been certified to AIMS (Association of International Marathons and Distance Races) and World Athletics standards. Each of our courses was measured by Dave Cundy, our Technical Director who is Australia’s foremost authority on course design and measurement, in December 2023. The certification of our courses means you can run a qualifying time in Ballarat to get into the ballot for a major marathon like Boston or New York.

ARE YOUR COURSES ENTIRELY ON ROADS?

Yes, our courses are on wide, flat and scenic bitumen roads around Ballarat. Our courses don’t include any footpaths or gravel sections. View course maps on each event page and find us on Strava!

WHAT ARE THE ELEVATION PROFILES OF YOUR COURSES?

We’ve listened to feedback and have made some tweaks, removing the Sturt Street Hill. Each of our courses is flatter and faster. Perfect for running a PB! The elevation gains on each course are as follows:

• Marathon: 98m (two laps of 21.1km course)

• Half Marathon: 49m

• 10km: 9m

• 5km: 16m (two laps of 2.5km course)

• Mile: 14m

WHAT ARE THE CUT-OFF TIMES FOR THE RUNNING WAREHOUSE BALLARAT MARATHON AND THE FEDERATION UNIVERSITY HALF MARATHON?

The cut-off time for the Running Warehouse Marathon and Federation University Half Marathon is six hours. Adherence to these cut-off times will ensure roads can be reopened in accordance with our event permits.

Cut off times are based on chip time not gun time.

HOW HAVE YOU DECIDED YOUR CAP NUMBERS?
Our entry caps have been carefully developed in collaboration with Marcel Altenburg, a leading Crowd Scientist from Manchester Metropolitan University, who advises major marathons such as New York, Boston, London and Berlin. These limits are essential to ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants and our crew and are based on various data points, including anticipated no-shows.

IS THERE PRIZE MONEY?

Yes, there is $60,000 in prize money on offer across all distances!

MARATHON:

• First $6000;

• Second $2000;

• Third $1000;

• Fourth $500;

• Fifth $250

HALF MARATHON (including Wheelchair Half Marathon):

• First $2000;

• Second $1000;

• Third $500;

• Fourth $250;

• Fifth $125

10KM:

• First $1000;

• Second $500;

• Third $250

5KM:

• First $2000;

• Second $1000;

• Third $500;

• Fourth $250;

• Fifth $125

MILE:

• First $2000;

• Second $1000;

• Third $500;

• Fourth $250;

• Fifth $125

MEN’S MARATHON TIME BONUSES

• Sub 2:15:00 - $1000

• Sub 2:12:30 - $2000

• Sub 2:10:00 - $3000

WOMEN’S MARATHON TIME BONUSES

• Sub 2:32:30 - $1000

• Sub 2:30:00 - $2000

• Sub 2:27:30 - $3000

WHO GETS A FINISHERS MEDAL?

Everyone who completes the Mile, 5km, 10km, Half Marathon and Marathon will receive a finishers’ medal.

HOW IS THE WINNER DECIDED WHEN IT COMES TO TIMING?

In Iine with World Athletics rules, the winner of each race is decided by gun time (the from when the starter’s gun goes off). The athlete who crosses the line first is the winner. All results will display a participants gun time and net time (the time you physically crossed the start mat after the gun), but net time is not used to determine the winners.

HOW DO I FUNDRAISE?

The Ballarat Marathon is proud to partner with the Ballarat Health Services Foundation as our Headline Charity Partner.

Visit the ‘Fundraising’ page for more information on how to fundraise.

HOW CAN I FUNDRAISE FOR A CHARITY OF MY CHOICE?

You are most welcome to include a charity of your choice to fundraise for. Visit the ‘Fundraising’ page for more information.

To keep things fair, we have not given priority to any charity other than our local headline charity partner, Ballarat Health Services Foundation (for Grampians Health Ballarat).

Charities are ordered based on total donations. To move your charity of choice up the list, we encourage you to share your fundraising page with your networks and encourage support via donations.

CAN I FUNDRAISE FOR MY CLUB/COMMUNITY GROUP?

Yes, you can fundraise by volunteering at our event! Visit our ‘Volunteer’ page for more information.

HOW DO I QUALIFY AS AN ELITE ATHLETE?

A strict qualifying time will apply to our elite categories.

For the Mile & 5km events, please view the relevant page for more info.

Qualification times for the Marathon & Half Marathon are as follows:

• Men’s Marathon: Sub-2:29

• Men’s Half Marathon: Sub-1:06

• Women’s Marathon: Sub-2:45

• Women’s Half Marathon: Sub-1.18

When registering for the longer distances, you can submit a qualifying time (optional) to be considered for the elite field.

WILL THERE BE AN ELITE DRINKS TABLE AT EACH DRINK STATION?

Yes, there will be a table for elite athlete drinks at each drink station. These drink bottles need to be checked in when runners collect their bibs from Civic Hall in Ballarat prior to their race. Collection Boxes will be set-up and will have a number denoting which drink station those drinks will be delivered to. All drink bottles MUST be clearly marked with the athlete’s name and bib number.

This year there will be pacers in the Running Warehouse Marathon, Federation University Half Marathon, City of Ballarat 10km and The Courier 5km.

Please click on the individual event pages to see all the pacers’ target times.

Yes, our event has been sanctioned by World Athletics. If you have a World Athletics ranking, your result in Ballarat will be added to your profile.

Yes. The 2025 Ballarat Marathon is a qualifying race for the Abbott World Marathon Majors 2026 Age Group World Championships.

View more info on volunteering HERE

Note: Pacer applications for 2025 have been closed. Please consider volunteering in another role instead!

WHERE CAN I LEAVE ANY PERSONAL BELONGINGS?

We offer a Baggage Drop on both days for all events, located in The Event Expo (close to the start/finish line). We ask that you place your belongings in your OWN bag and attach the bag tag from your race bib before dropping it off.

WHERE ARE THE DRINK STATIONS?

See the relevant event page for a breakdown on drink station & recovery locations.

CAN RUNNERS BRING THEIR OWN DRINKS AND HAVE THEM DELIVERED TO THE DRINKS STATIONS?

Yes, for the Marathon only. We will allow qualified runners to drop personal drinks.

You must have a target-time of:
2hrs 45mins or less for Men and 3hrs 30mins or less for Women.

We will ask for proof via recent results/training records.

PERSONAL DRINKS DROP OFF:

You must drop your drinks BEFORE 5:30PM Saturday. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Bottles clearly labelled with your NAME & BIB Number. Ensure they do not leak. Do not attach sharp items/sticks.

Yes, a range of premium Running Warehouse Ballarat Marathon merchandise is now available from our new apparel partner, One Running.

CLICK HERE to get yours.

Merchandise will also be available for purchase at the event.

WHO IS LOOKING AFTER YOUR EVENT TIMING?

You are in good hands. Our friends at Tomato Timing are on board for ALL events.

WHERE WILL I FIND THE EVENT RESULTS?

You can find results on the Tomato Timing results page HERE.

For the 2024 results page HERE.

HOW ARE PRIZES AWARDED WHEN IT COMES TO TIMING?

In Iine with World Athletics rules, the winner of each race is decided by gun time (the from when the starter’s gun goes off). The athlete who crosses the line first is the winner. All participants will have their chip time (the time from when their bib crossed the start line) recorded, but chip time is not used to determine the winners.

Raceatlas are our Official Event Photographers. Using their smart camera devices and bib number recognition software, Raceatlas is able to get your race day photos to you as soon as they've been captured.

Share your memories on social media, send them to your friends and family, and celebrate your incredible achievement as soon as you've crossed the finish line.

WHERE SHOULD I PARK MY CAR?

Ample parking for runners is available in Ballarat’s CBD. There are many on-street car parking spaces, but please ensure parking restrictions are observed. In addition, the CARePARK multi-storey carpark at 25 Doveton St in central Ballarat, only a short walk from the start-finish, is offering extended hours across the Ballarat Marathon weekend (Sat & Sun 6am-10pm). Information on the CARePARK location and pricing is HERE.

WHERE CAN I FIND INFORMATION ON THE ROAD CLOSURES?

CLICK HERE for information regarding road closures.

THE CLUB ZONE HAS BEEN FILLED. Bookings are no longer available.

You will not be able to pitch a tent/marquee unless it has been pre-booked.

All clubs who booked a tent have been contacted with details on Bump In.

All waitlisted participants have now been contacted with their relevant entry details. We are not accepting further applications to the waitlist or offering further entries to the Half Marathon.

The Federation University Half Marathon has SOLD OUT.

We encourage you to consider participating in one of our other distances and/or invite you to participate in the event as a spectator, or a volunteer.

I AM ON THE WAITLIST. HOW DO I KNOW IF I GET A PLACE IN THE HALF MARATHON?

If a place becomes available we will transfer your entry from the waitlist to the Half Marathon. You will receive a new confirmation email confirming your entry in the Half.

I HAVEN’T BEEN OFFERED A PLACE IN THE HALF BUT I AM ON THE WAITLIST. WHAT DO I DO?

We will notify you if you have been successful by close of business 16th April.

If you haven’t been given a place but would like to participate in a different event, we will happily credit your waitlist fee to a different event.

Otherwise, we will refund the cost of your waitlist entry. Refunds will be processed the week commencing 28th April.