Run Melbourne: a flat and scenic route in a city that breaths sport

Run Melbourne, Australia. July.

Melbourne’s Half Marathon’s slogan, “Run Melbourne”, comes true with a flat and scenic course that includes the wide streets of the financial district, the pedestrian riverbanks with their cafés and museums ☕🏛️, and lush parks next to terraced Victorian houses 🌳.

We ran it in 2023 and I wrote about it. The 2025 edition will take place on July 13th (Sunday) — and here’s everything you need to know! 🎉

TLDR; “Too long, didn’t read” 🧭

• 👉 I want to read about how it feels to run it. Take me to RACE.
• 🏁 I want to be super prepared! Take me to RACE DAY GUIDE & USEFUL INFORMATION.
• 🗺️ I want to see the course: Take me to MAP.
• ✈️ Running is my excuse for traveling: Take me to TRIP.
• 🍝 Running is my excuse for eating: Take me to CARBOLOADING in Melbourne.
• 📚 I am travelling and I want to know what to read in the plane. Take me to “ONE BOOK“.

🌍 The Trip: What to see in Melbourne before or after running 📷

✈️ From Bali to Melbourne: A Chilly Welcome to Australia 🇦🇺

After more than five hours in the air from sunny Bali, we touched down in Melbourne — ready (or so we thought) for winter running!

Heads up if you’re flying in from Indonesia: Australian border control takes biosecurity seriously. They’ll inspect anything plant- or animal-related. This isn’t just a formality — it’s about protecting local agriculture and ecosystems. It’s even featured on reality TV. 🤨

I played it safe and declared a few innocent tea bags — and breezed through 😇

❄️ A “Warm Winter” That’s Still Cold

Locals called it a “warm winter”, but to us — straight out of Southeast Asia — 12°C felt freezing 🥶. Thankfully, we’d remembered (just in time!) that southern hemisphere = winter in July, and packed cold-weather running gear.

The only challenge? Keeping carry-ons under 7 kg. Not easy when layering up for a winter race 😱

🏙️ First Impressions of Melbourne

We arrived to a chilly, grey afternoon and made our way along the Yarra River — the same river we’d be running beside in just two days.

At first glance, Melbourne reminded me of an American city: sprawling suburbs, extra-wide streets, tired shopfronts with Chinese signage. But there was beauty too — in its proud row of Victorian houses 🇬🇧

Later, over rooftop cocktails in the city, a local friend summed it up perfectly:

Australia is a mix of British heritage, US ambition, and Chinese influence.

🖼️ Victorian Charm in the CBD

Our hotel was a compact but perfectly located motel in the Central Financial District (CBD). From there, we set out to explore the city on foot — and finally understood the hype.

• We started with the National Gallery of Victoria,
• Crossed the Victorian-era Princes Bridge,
• Passed by the impressive Flinders Street Station, Australia’s second busiest 🚉

You can see all of Melbourne’s historic core in a single day. It even inspired a bit of literary nostalgia…

At the hour of one o’clock in the morning, he was driving down Collins Street East, when, as he was passing the Burke and Wills’ monument, he was hailed by a gentleman standing at the corner by the Scotch Church.
— The Mystery of a Hansom Cab, Fergus Hume (1886)

Yes, 20 years before Sherlock Holmes, Melbourne already had its own murder mystery in print!

Walking those same streets, I couldn’t help but feel like Fred Pycroft, the novel’s main character, chasing shadows in the gaslight…

🏛️ From Town Halls to Outlaws

We ended the day at:

• Melbourne’s Town Hall
• The elegant Royal Arcade and Block Arcade
• And finally, the haunting Old Melbourne Gaol — where bushranger Ned Kelly was hanged.

And then a wail of agony cut through the darkness… It was young Johnny Jones…
— The True Story of Ned Kelly’s Last Stand, Paul Terry

It’s a city where stories — old and new — seem to echo from every street corner

At the hour of one o’clock in the morning, he was driving down Collins Street East, when, as he was passing the Burke and Wills’ monument, he was hailed by a gentleman standing at the corner by the Scotch Church.

“The Mystery of a Hansom Cab”, Fergus Hume

🕰️ Melbourne’s Historic Heart — From Town Hall to the Gallows

We wandered through Melbourne’s grand Town Hall, ducked into the elegant Royal Arcade and the Block Arcade, and ended the day at the chilling but fascinating Old Melbourne Gaol 🏛️.

This is where Australia’s most infamous outlaw, Ned Kelly, met his end on the gallows. The echoes of history are heavy here — dark, tragic, and unforgettable.

And then a wail of agony cut through the darkness. It was young Johnny Jones. A police bullet had smashed through the wall and into frail Johnny, just above his hip. Mortally wounded, he screamed for help. ‘Oh, mother! I am shot!’
— The True Story of Ned Kelly’s Last Stand, Paul Terry

It’s hard not to feel the weight of history inside those stone walls.

🌊 The Great Ocean Road — Beauty Built by Heroes

The next day, we set out to drive the iconic Great Ocean Road — and it exceeded every expectation 📷

Originally constructed between 1919 and 1932 by soldiers returning from World War I, this coastal highway is more than a scenic drive — it’s the world’s largest war memorial, stretching 240 kilometers in honor of the fallen.

But it’s also a route of wild natural beauty:
🪨 Towering sea cliffs,
🏖️ Empty golden beaches,
🌬️ Wind-blown landscapes that spark the imagination.

The views made me think of early explorers, the dangers they faced, and the thrill of charting unknown coasts. In fact, it’s no wonder this area is known as the Shipwreck Coast — with hundreds, if not thousands, of wrecks recorded along its shores over the past centuries.

Adventurous then. Adventurous now. It’s a drive that stays with you.

The Twelve Apostles & The Raw Beauty of Victoria’s Coast

As we drove deeper into the Great Ocean Road, we reached its most iconic viewpoint:
the Twelve Apostles — a series of dramatic limestone stacks rising out of the roaring Southern Ocean 🌊

Despite erosion reducing their number, the view is absolutely breathtaking. Towering stone pillars, golden cliffs, and crashing waves… it’s truly one of the most stunning places I’ve ever seen.

🌅 Legends, Shipwrecks & Clifftop Marvels

Not far away lies another natural wonder: Loch Ard Gorge, named after the tragic shipwreck of the Loch Ard in 1878. Of the 54 passengers and crew, only two teenagers survived — and the story has become the stuff of Australian legend ⚓

The gorge itself? Carved by time, wind, and sea — and just as impressive as the Apostles.

We also descended the Gibson Steps, which took us down to the beach, where we stood at the foot of towering cliffs. Walking beside the ancient formations known as Gog and Magog — named after mythical giants — I couldn’t help but feel tiny in the face of such epic scenery.

🌳 Rainforests, Giant Trees & A Wild Koala Sighting

The tour (like most Great Ocean Road day trips) also took us inland — into a cold temperate rainforest 🌿

There, hidden among the misty ferns and ancient trees, we spotted the world’s tallest flowering plant — the majestic mountain ash — which can grow over 100 meters high! 🌲

And then… we saw it:
A wild koala, curled up in the fork of a eucalyptus tree, totally unaware (or unbothered) by the dozen cameras clicking away below 🐨📸

🍜 Carboloading: What to eat in Melbourne before and after running 🍝

When it comes to fueling up for a race, Melbourne offers an amazing mix of global flavors and local favorites — perfect for both carbo-loading before and recovering after your run.

🍲 Pre-Race Carbs: Chinatown Noodles & Local Staples

For our big carb dinner, we went to Melbourne’s historic Chinatown, — the oldest continuously operating Chinatown in the world.

Tucked inside a cozy, unpretentious restaurant, we slurped down bowls of comforting noodles, from a place that even claimed to know Chairman Mao’s “secret recipes” 🙂. Whether it’s dumplings, hand-pulled noodles, or steaming congee, Chinatown is a go-to for hearty, fast-digesting carbs.

But that’s just the start.

Across Melbourne, you’ll also find:

• Italian pasta joints in Carlton (nicknamed “Little Italy”) — ideal for spaghetti, gnocchi, and risottos 🍝
• Artisan bakeries serving up sourdough, bagels, and flaky pastries — perfect for a high-carb breakfast
• Trendy cafés with grain bowls, sweet potato toast, and rice-based dishes
• And of course, you can’t go wrong with a good flat white and banana bread the morning before!

🥩 Post-Race Protein: From the Grill to Native Flavors

Once the race is done, it’s time to rebuild and recover — and Australia’s love of fresh, quality produce makes that easy.

Some local protein-packed favorites include:

• 🇦🇺 The Aussie barbecue (“barbie”) — with everything from grilled lamb to lean steaks and even plant-based options
• 🦘 Kangaroo steak – a lean red meat with 25g of protein per 100g, low in fat, and a popular choice for those watching their macros
• 🐟 Barramundi – Australia’s iconic white fish, light, flaky, and rich in omega-3s. Here you can find Australian recipes to cook it.
• 🧀 Cheese-topped toasties, often with egg or avocado — a Melbourne café classic
• 🍳 Brunch platters with poached eggs, smoked salmon, and quinoa salad — high protein and full of flavor

Vegetarians and vegans will also find tons of options, from tofu laksa and lentil curries to plant-based burgers and grain bowls.

📅 Marathon Expo & Event Village 🎽

Since we arrived late, we missed the full Marathon Expo experience — but we did get a good taste of the Event Village, just hours before race time.

Our hotel wasn’t fancy, but it was just steps from Batman Avenue, the official start and finish line — right across from Rod Laver Arena, home of the Australian Open 🎾. The atmosphere was electric — like Melbourne’s sports spirit was baked right into the street.

• Runners could collect their race bibs at Sole Motive stores or the Event Village on Saturday.
• We picked ours up Sunday morning at 5:45am, and the process was smooth and well-organized.

Despite the early hour, the village was buzzing.
A lively announcer was already praising “those who woke up so early to cheer the runners,” with music, sponsor tents, and info points already in full swing.

At the Sole Motive booth, we grabbed some cool Run Melbourne merch — a cap with a big “R” and “M” that, coincidentally, matched both our initials 😄

🏃‍♀️ Run Melbourne 2025 Half Marathon: Your Ultimate Race-Day Guide

Everything you need before Race Day: flat 21.1 km course, start times, hydration points, entertainment zones, spectator info & gear tips.

General Info:

🏆  Run Melbourne Half Marathon (21K) / 10k / 5.5K. Number of runners: 25,000.

⛰️ Difficulty: Easy. Flat, fast course.

🌐 Website https://runmelbourne.com.au/

🗓️ Mid July in Melbourne, Australia, Oceania.

📅 2025’s Race: Sunday 13 July 2025 • 6:30 AM Start

• Start Line: Batman Avenue, opposite Rod Laver Arena
• Finish: Melbourne Park (Australian Open stadium)

👟  Gear Recommendations: Early warmth layer, gloves, easy-to-peel jacket. Temperatures range from 5 to 12 degrees C. City shoes.

🏅 A “Run Melbourne” medal (the same for 21k and 10k races). And a completion certificate that you can download online.

✅ Very well organized. Nice atmosphere, photographers placed in good spots, frequent hydration and on-course entertainment. Even a choir of around 50 people singing uplifting tunes! Good if you are undertaking a half marathon “7 continents” challenge.

✅ Flat and scenic course. It is designed to truly “run melbourne”. Not only you run in the wide streets of the “CFD”, but on the river banks, past restaurants, cafes and museums. And in beautiful parks.

❌ Difficult to get to if you do not live in Oceania. Expensive to fly if you live in Europe, Africa or America.

❌ Weather: Quite cold, specially since it has a very early start, at 7am. Winter in Melbourne—temperatures ~5–12 °C at the 6:30 AM start.

🚰 Hydration & Pacing Strategy

• Drink stations every ~4 km at: 3.4 km, 6.8, 11, 15 & 19 km.
• Supplies include water, PURE Sports Hydration, roving aid near 5.5 km.
• Pacers available for 1:25, 1:30, 1:40, 1:45, 1:50, 2:00, 2:10, and 2:20 finishers.

🎉 Atmosphere & Entertainment

• Urban Vibes: Run past skyscrapers and riverfront cafés
• On-course Bands & Choirs near Yarra and Botanical Gardens.
• Festival Finish Line: Live music, food trucks, recovery zones & supporter-friendly setup.

🥶 Race Week Tips / Pre-Race Logistics:

• Pick up your bib from Saturday at Event Village or Sunday early AM
• Public transport is fastest—plan ahead for road closures
• Start corrals close between 7:00–7:20 AM.

🗣️ For Spectators & Supporters

• Cheer Zones: Docklands, Yarra Riverbank & Gardens
• Event Village Open: From 5:30 AM at Melbourne Park—grab coffee, snacks and join the live excitement
• Don’t miss the final stretch: The iconic finish line in Rod Laver Arena

🏅 After the Finish Line

• Medal + finisher certificate (download it online later) at runmelbourne.com.au
• Photo Ops: Landmarks in the background—Yarra, Rod Laver, Gardens
• Recovery Zone: Hydration, protein snacks, chill-out zones

🏃‍♀️ The Race: our experience 🏃‍♂️

It was still dark when everything started. The skyscrapers were lit up with neon lights, and we were warming up amongst many sporting “mad rabbit crew” t-shirts. I learned later that it is a local running club.

Several waves (A-D) set off with 15 minutes difference while speakers played a curious combination of music (from “Every breath you take” to “Tubthumping”) and we ran the first part of the race through the wide streets of the central financial district.

The race kicked off with great pacing support and hydration early on — with the first water station at km 4, followed by another at km 6, offering both water and energy drinks to keep you going 💧⚡

🚤 Through the Docklands: A Unique City Run

We ran the first stretch along the Docklands riverbanks, past anchored yachts, modern high-rises, and quiet, upscale neighborhoods. What made this section truly unique was the surface — instead of running on closed city roads, we were on pedestrian paths, weaving through cafés, museums, and restaurants.

It felt more like a Sunday morning jog through the city than a high-pressure race. One runner next to me commented, “This is definitely easier than a trail run — at least you don’t have to worry about getting lost!”

🎶 Yarra River, Rowers & Surprise Performances

As the course followed the Yarra River, we passed rowing clubs, where athletes were already out on the water. Around kilometer 11, we entered the lush Royal Botanical Gardens, and that’s when the atmosphere really picked up.

A duo played Johnny Cash’s “Ring of fire“ on guitar and keyboard 🎸 — an unexpected and fun moment. But even more surprising was the appearance of a 50-person choir performing Robbie Williams’ “Let me entertain you” with full energy.
It really added to the magic of the moment 🎤

🌳 A Cheering Crowd & an Unforgettable Finish

The final stretch of the course was lined with majestic plane trees and oaks, and cheering crowds created an incredible atmosphere. Signage counted us down: 600m… 500m… 400m… — and then came the finish line, set against a festive backdrop 🎉

Melbourne clearly knew how to host a race. The support, the setting, and the atmosphere made it feel like more than just a run — it was a celebration of movement and community.

We received a finisher medal (same design for all distances), hydration, protein bars, and plenty of high-fives 🥇

📸 Photos & Memories That Last

After the race, we could download a personalized race certificate and browse through race photos, taken frequently and in scenic spots around the course. Many featured Melbourne’s iconic landmarks in the background — perfect for remembering a beautiful day on the run

In summary, Run Melbourne 2023 was the perfect race to enjoy a city that lives and breathes sport. 

🗺️ Course Highlights & Map

• Supportive Spectator Zones – family-friendly event village, live music + choirs near Gardens, photographer hotspots near landmarks.
• Flat & Scenic Route – early kilometers through the CBD → Docklands → Yarra Riverbank → lush Royal Botanical Gardens.
• Start at 6:30 AM – live waves from elite to wave D, fine-tuned by goal pace (1:25–2:20).

2025’s route is the following:

while the route for 2023 was like this (for comparison purposes):

“The Mystery of a Hansom Cab”, by Fergus Hume.

Apparently Sir Arthur Conan Doyle did not write the first detective novel. Fergus Hume did. And it takes place in Melbourne in mid XIX century. “The Mystery of a Hansom Cab”. It starts stating that “truth is said to be stranger than fiction”. Together with a newspaper report “of this great city” that reads like this:

On the twenty-seventh day of July, at the hour of twenty minutes to two o’clock in the morning, a hansom cab drove up to the police station in Grey Street, St. Kilda, and the driver made the startling statement that his cab contained the body of a man who he had reason to believe had been murdered

I really enjoyed the mistery. Not only because we happened to be staying very close to the scenarios of the novel, also in July! 🧐

• 📖 “The true story of Ned Kelly’s last stand”, by Paul Terry.
• 📖 “Ellen: a woman of Spirit”, by Noelene Allen.
• 📖 Miss Fisher’s murder mysteries series: “Cocaine blues” and “Flying high” by Karen Greenwood.
• 🎬 “Miss Fisher’s murder mysteries”, TV series, 2012.

“Miss Fisher’s murder mysteries”, TV series, 2012

I have been a big fan of Phryne Fisher, the fashionable and sassy detective, for years. The series has three seasons and takes place in Melbourne in the 1920s. For this trip I also read two of the original books by Kerry Greenwood, “Cocaine Blues” and “Flying too high”.

I love everything about Phyrne, but specially that she drives a Hispano-Suiza, a Spanish car no less!

---

And with this, we have arrived to the end of the post… like this street in Melbourne!