Ballarat Marathon

Location: Ballarat
Country: Australia
Website: https://www.ballaratmarathon.com.au
2025 Marathon Date: 27/04/2025
2026 Marathon Date: 26/04/2026
Winning Time 2025: 2:16:54
% Sub-3s: 15%+
# Sub-3s: 100–499
Total Runners: 1k–3k

The Ballarat Marathon is a new but ambitious addition to the Australian road racing calendar, held each autumn in the historic city of Ballarat, Victoria. Despite only launching in 2024, it has already attracted strong fields and high-level performances, helped by a course that favours speed and consistency.

The race begins and ends near Lake Wendouree, a popular recreational loop just north of Ballarat’s centre. From there, runners explore wide boulevards and parkland paths, with multiple stretches along flat, open roads. While the city sits at a moderate elevation, the course itself features minimal climbing and few technical sections.

April weather in Ballarat tends to be cool and calm, offering excellent conditions for marathon running. Mornings are often crisp, with temperatures ranging from 6–12°C and little humidity. Wind levels are typically low, and rain is infrequent, making this one of Australia’s most favourable climates for distance performance.

What sets the Ballarat Marathon apart is its clear focus on competitive runners. From the outset, the event has marketed itself to serious amateurs and club athletes, with pacing support, accurate splits and a layout that enables fast running. The early results reflect that ambition, with a high proportion of runners achieving sub-3 and other benchmark times.

Although smaller in scale than more established marathons, Ballarat delivers a focused, performance-oriented atmosphere. The field is deep enough to offer pacing company, while the roads remain clear of crowding. Organisation is strong, with tight logistics and thoughtful course design throughout.

For sub-3 aspirants looking for an Australian race that prioritises fast times over festival feel, the Ballarat Marathon is a compelling choice. Its combination of cool weather, flat roads and a race culture centred on performance makes it one of the most promising new marathons in the southern hemisphere. If momentum continues, Ballarat could quickly establish itself as a go-to option for competitive amateur runners.