The Running Warehouse Ballarat Marathon will take place across the weekend of Saturday, 26 April and Sunday, 27 April 2025.

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?

Absolutely! Personalised bibs are available for everyone who registers prior to 1 March 2025. You can enter the name you would like on your bib when you register in Race Roster.

*Please avoid using special characters and emojis

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?

Entry fees are non-refundable, other than in exceptional circumstances, after 11:59pm on Sunday, 6 April 2025. Ballarat Marathon is not required to refund entry fees where a competitor has a change of mind. To request an “exceptional circumstances” refund after 6 April 2025, please email info@ballaratmarathon.com.au.

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 2 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”.

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.

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 City of Ballarat Half Marathon must be aged 16 years or older on the day of the event.

Entrants in the Running Warehouse 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 WHEELCHAIR, PUSH A PRAM OR HAVE AN ASSISTANCE DOG WITH ME IN A RACE?

For safety reasons, wheelchair competitors are restricted to the Wheelchair Half Marathon, which will start before our other long races on the Sunday morning. Prams and assistance dogs are allowed in all distances, but you must start at the back of the field and you must observe the cut-off times.

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.

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?

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HOW DO I FUNDRAISE?

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

Visit the ‘Get Involved’ tab 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 ‘Get Involved’ tab 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 ‘Get Involved’ page for more information.

You’re welcome to put up your own team tent in our designated, bookable tent area in Sturt Street (just past the Start/Finish line).

This zone provides an excellent opportunity for you to meet, relax, and encourage your runners.

You will not be able to pitch a tent/marquee unless it has been pre-booked. Fill in the booking HERE to secure a spot.

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 & 10KM events are yet to be determined. Once a decision has been made, we will update the information here and on the respective Event pages.

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.

Yes, we are having pacers in the Marathon and Half Marathon.

In the Marathon, we are having a 2:30 pacer, then a 2:45 pacer. From there, there’ll be pacers spaced at 10-minute finishing time intervals starting at 2:50 and going through to four hours. We also have further pacers spaced at greater intervals all the way through to six hours.

For the Half Marathon, there will be pacers spaced at the same finishing time intervals from 1:30 through to 2:30.

Here are the pacing times being offered:

MARATHON
2:30
2:45
2:50
3:00
3:10
3:20
3:30
3:40
3:50
4:00
4:20
4:40
5:00
5:30
6:00 (sweeper)

HALF MARATHON
1:30
1:40
1:50
2:00
2:10
2:20
2:30

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.

Find more information HERE

WHERE DO I COLLECT MY RACE BIB?

Ballarat Civic Hall - 300-304 Mair St, Ballarat Central. Check the Event Schedule for opening times.

*** There will also be two special bib collection sessions at the Running Warehouse stores in Richmond (Melbourne) and Chatswood (Sydney) in the lead-up to our event. More details will be made available soon.

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

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 which we will TAG with your race number at Drop 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.

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.

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

CLICK HERE to get your hands on the first drop of the new merch.

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. Information on the CARePARK location and pricing is HERE.

WHERE CAN I FIND INFORMATION ON THE ROAD CLOSURES?

Information regarding road closures will be made available closer to the event.