Melbourne Running Events 2026

What running events are on in Melbourne in 2026? The city's race calendar spans the full distance spectrum, from beginner-friendly 5km fun runs to full marathons and iconic trail circuits. Flagship events include the Melbourne Marathon Festival on 11 October 2026, the Brighton Beach Marathon on 30 August 2026, Run the Tan on 18 April 2027, Run Prix Melbourne on 20 September 2026 and the Maribyrnong River Run on 13 September 2026. Whether you are training for your first 10km or chasing a marathon PB, Melbourne has a race on almost every month of the year.

Major Melbourne races in 2026

These are the headline events on the Melbourne running calendar. Each offers multiple distances, making them accessible whether you are a first-timer or an experienced runner.

• Melbourne Marathon Festival (11 October 2026): marathon, half marathon, 10km and 5km across Melbourne's inner suburbs and the Tan track.
• Brighton Beach Marathon (30 August 2026): marathon, half marathon, 10km and 5km along the bayside foreshore.
• Run the Tan (18 April 2027): Melbourne's iconic 4km trail circuit around the Botanic Gardens and Yarra River.
• Run Prix Melbourne (20 September 2026): road races at Albert Park, including 5km, 10km and half marathon distances.
• Maribyrnong River Run (13 September 2026): riverside half marathon and 10km through Melbourne's inner west.

Most events open entries several months ahead. Check individual event pages on RunDais for entry links, course maps and discount codes via RunDais Passport. If you are planning a full race season, bookmark this page and check back weekly as new Melbourne events are added throughout the year. Build in recovery time when choosing back-to-back races, especially if you are moving from a 10km or half marathon to a full marathon.

Melbourne running calendar by distance

Melbourne runners often search by distance rather than by date. If you are looking for a Melbourne 10km race, the Melbourne Marathon Festival, Brighton Beach Marathon and Maribyrnong River Run all offer 10km options in 2026. For half marathons, the Melbourne Marathon Festival and Brighton Beach Marathon are the two biggest options. Full marathon runners typically target the Melbourne Marathon Festival in October or Brighton Beach in August.

Shorter fun runs and 5km events run throughout the year across Melbourne's suburbs, parks and bayside paths. Trail runners gravitate to Run the Tan and hybrid road-trail events in parkland settings. Use the distance sections below to browse upcoming Melbourne races by type: 5km fun runs, 10km races, half marathons, marathons, trail runs and road races. The categories make it easier to compare events when you have a specific training goal or preferred course style.

Trending events on this page are ranked by popularity on RunDais over the last 30 days, so you can see what Melbourne runners are searching for right now.

How to use this calendar

Start with the Upcoming Melbourne Running Events carousel for the most popular races right now. Then scroll to the distance sections to filter by the type of event you want to enter. Each listing links to the full event page on RunDais with dates, locations, entry details and reviews from other runners.

Create a free RunDais account to save events to your Passport. Passport members get access to discount codes and early-bird alerts on selected Melbourne races. You can also browse all running events across Australia from the main events directory.

Looking for a training group rather than a race? Visit our dedicated Melbourne run clubs page to find social joggers, track groups and trail crews near you.