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Geelong Running Festival

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20th September 2026

Join us as Geelong enters the world stage of mass participation events with it's first ever marathon, complimented by a half marathon and 6.5km event. Run or walk the streets of Geelong traffic free, pass through iconic Kardinia Park and enjoy picturesque views of Corio Bay and Eastern Beach foreshore.

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Terrain

Road

Race Vibe

Competitive Beginner friendly Social Fast Scenic

Geelong Running Festival

Geelong 3220, VIC

20/9/2026

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Last updated: 29 April, 2026

Distances

6.5km

Overview

20 Sep

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21.1km

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42.2km

Overview

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Event Highlights

Geelong’s first-ever marathon joins a half marathon and a community 6.5km for all abilities.
Traffic-free city courses that pass through iconic Kardinia Park and along Corio Bay and Eastern Beach foreshore.
Steampacket Gardens serves as the start/finish hub with a post-race recovery & party zone.
AIMS / World Athletics measured courses for the marathon and half marathon.
Pacers for marathon and half — each pace band has at least two leaders and runs to net time.
Finisher medals for all distances; finisher T-shirt for marathon and run hat for the half.
Official timing with gun + net and chip-timed race bibs; age-group awards based on net time.
Generous open prize money (marathon 1st $5,000; half 1st $1,500; 8km 1st $750) plus a marathon time bonus up to $3,000.
Family-friendly 6.5km options (13+; kids 7–12 may run with a registered adult).
Course maps, elevation profiles and GPX downloads available for all distances.

Geelong Running Festival Event Highlights

Geelong’s first-ever marathon joins a half marathon and a community 8km for all abilities.
Traffic-free city courses that pass through iconic Kardinia Park and along Corio Bay and Eastern Beach foreshore.
Steampacket Gardens serves as the start/finish hub with a post-race recovery & party zone.
AIMS / World Athletics measured courses for the marathon and half marathon.
Pacers for marathon and half — each pace band has at least two leaders and runs to net time.
Finisher medals for all distances; finisher T-shirt for marathon and run hat for the half.
Official timing with gun + net and chip-timed race bibs; age-group awards based on net time.
Generous open prize money (marathon 1st $5,000; half 1st $1,500; 8km 1st $750) plus a marathon time bonus up to $3,000.
Family-friendly 8km options (13+; kids 7–12 may run with a registered adult).
Course maps, elevation profiles and GPX downloads available for all distances.

FAQ’s

When is the Geelong Running Festival?

The inaugural Geelong Running Festival takes place on Sunday, 20 September 2026. All three distances – Marathon, Half Marathon and 8KM – will start at 7:00am.

When do registrations open?

Entries for the 2026 Marathon, Half Marathon and 8KM open on Sunday, 21 September 2025 at 7:00am.

Where do the races start and finish?

The 8KM starts at the T & G Building (corner of Ryrie and Moorabool Street) and finishes at Steampacket Gardens on Eastern Beach Road. The Half Marathon and Marathon both start and finish at Steampacket Gardens.

Are the courses certified?

Yes. The Marathon and Half Marathon courses are AIMS certified and World Athletics accredited, meaning official times can be used for qualification purposes including World Marathon Majors ballots.

Are the courses on road?

Yes. All events are run entirely on closed roads with no gravel or footpath sections.

What is the elevation gain?

The Marathon has 182m of elevation gain, the Half Marathon 108m, and the 8KM 64m.

What are the cut-off times?

The Marathon and Half Marathon have a cut-off time of 6 hours and 20 minutes (9:00 per kilometre), based on chip time. There are designated cut-off checkpoints along both courses to ensure roads reopen on schedule.

Will there be aid stations?

Yes. Aid stations will provide water, electrolytes, energy gels and toilets. Full aid station locations will be confirmed closer to race day.

Will there be pacers?

Yes. Official pace makers will be available in both the Marathon and Half Marathon to help runners target specific finish times.

Are there medals and prize money?

All finishers in the 8KM, Half Marathon and Marathon receive a medal. Prize money is available across distances (see individual race pages for details). Overall winners and podium placegetters are determined by gun time, in line with World Athletics rules. Age group awards are decided by net time across all distances.

What are the elite qualifying standards?

Elite standards are: Men – Marathon sub 2:22:00, Half Marathon sub 1:06:00. Women – Marathon sub 2:42:00, Half Marathon sub 1:16:00.

What are the sub-elite standards?

Sub-elite standards are: Men – Marathon sub 2:40:00, Half Marathon sub 1:15:00. Women – Marathon sub 3:00:00, Half Marathon sub 1:30:00. Sub-elite athletes receive a priority start immediately behind the elite field.

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