FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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  • The 2027 Running Warehouse Ballarat Marathon will take place across the weekend of 16-18 April (the event is coming forward one week due to Anzac Day being on a Sunday).

    Sign up to our mailing list and follow us on socials to be the first to know about entries.

    The 2026 event will take place over the weekend of 24-26 April.

  • WHERE DO I FIND THE EVENT RESULTS?
    For the 2026 results page, CLICK HERE.

    For the 2025 results page, CLICK HERE.

    For the 2024 results page, CLICK HERE.

    HOW ARE PRIZES AWARDED WHEN IT COMES TO TIMING?
    In line 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.

  • NorthSouth have all of your race photos ready here.

    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.

  • CLICK HERE to relive the Saturday live stream

    CLICK HERE to relive the Sunday live stream

    *DO NOT CLICK LINKS CLAIMING TO BE THE LIVESTREAM FROM OTHER SOURCES

  • Yes, a limited range of premium Running Warehouse Ballarat Marathon merchandise available One Running.

    CLICK HERE to get yours before it runs out!

  • IS THE EVENT REFUNDABLE?

    All tickets purchased are non-refundable. However, we have partnered with our registration platform to offer the Race Roster Enhanced Refund Protection Program. You can purchase refund protection during the registration process. CLICK HERE for more information on the Program.

    If you have purchased insurance and would like a refund CLICK HERE for instructions.

    CAN I DEFER MY ENTRY?
    No*. We will not be offering deferrals for the 2026 Ballarat Marathon.

    *If you become pregnant in the lead-up to the 2026 Ballarat Marathon and can no longer race, we will offer a deferral for up to 3 years. Please email us at
    info@ballaratmarathon.com.au.

    If you were offered a pregnancy deferral we will be in touch regarding the 2027 event when entries open in July.

  • WHERE DO THE RACES START AND FINISH?
    The main event hub is outside the Ballarat Town Hall (225 Sturt St, Ballarat Central). Each race starts and 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 has been measured by Dave Cundy, our Technical Director who is Australia’s foremost authority on course design and measurement. 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.


    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?
    Each of our courses is flat and fast. 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.

    HOW HAVE YOU DECIDED YOUR CAP NUMBERS?
    Our entry caps have been carefully developed in collaboration with Marcel Altenburg, a leading Crowd Scientist from Manchester Metropolitan University, who advises major marathons such as New York, Boston, London and Berlin. These limits are essential to ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants and our crew and are based on various data points, including anticipated no-shows.

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

    Entrants in the 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. Families are welcome to volunteer together!

  • Yes - our Pace Team provides pacing for the 5km, 10km, Half Marathon and Marathon distances.

    If you’d like to apply to be a Pacer in 2027, applications will open in December 2026.

  • IS THERE PRIZE MONEY?
    Yes - prize money, including race record & time bonuses for 2027 will be announced when we open registrations for 2027.

    Prize money for 2026 was:

    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

    ELITE OPEN 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?
    In line 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 results will display a participants gun time and net time (the time you physically crossed the start mat after the gun), but net time is not used to determine the winners.

  • CAN I USE A RUNNING VEST/BELT?
    Yes, we encourage the use of running vests/belts, particularly when it comes to carrying hydration. This helps us reduce the number of single-use cups we need to provide.

    CAN I CARRY MY OWN GELS?
    Yes, you most certainly can carry your own gels.

    CAN I USE A WHEELCHAIR, PUSH A PRAM OR HAVE AN ASSISTANCE DOG WITH ME IN A RACE?
    For safety reasons, wheelchair users competing with a race chair or using a Running Frame are restricted to the Wheelchair Half Marathon, which will start before our other long races on the Sunday morning. Wheelchair users in a day chair, anyone pushing a pram or participating with an assistance dog are allowed in all distances, but must start at the back of the field and you must observe the cut-off times. Hand cycles are not permitted in any distance.

    I AM A FRAME RUNNER. CAN I PARTICIPATE?

    Yes, we’d love to have you join the fun! If you’re aiming for a fast time you can register for the Wheelchair Half Marathon event to start up front before the other races.

    Per World Para Athletics Rules, you would not be eligible for prize money in this event.

    Please email info@ballaratmarathon.com.au so we ensure your race time is recorded in the correct event (Half Marathon).

    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.

    CAN I HAVE SOMEONE HAND ME GELS/HYDRATION/FUEL OUTSIDE OF DESIGNATED DRINK STATIONS?
    Elite runners must adhere to World Athletics rules and may only receive assistance from official drink stations.

    If you are not an Elite/Preferred runner, you may choose to receive support from friends or family at designated points along the course.

    NOTE: Those providing assistance must travel via open roads. Bikes/Scooters are not permitted on any section of the course (except for event officials). Rideshare scooters/bikes will be geolocked and will not function within the course during the event.

  • 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 2026 Ballarat Marathon was a qualifying race for the Abbott World Marathon Majors 2027 Age Group World Championships

  • HOW DO I FUNDRAISE?
    The Ballarat Marathon is proud to partner with the Ballarat Health Services Foundation as our Headline Charity Partner.

    Visit the ‘Fundraising’ page 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 ‘Fundraisingpage 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 ‘Volunteer’ page for more information.

  • Volunteering is a great way to be part of the event. We have roles for everyone!

    HOW DO I GET INVOLVED?

    View more info on volunteering HERE.

    View our Pacing Roles HERE

    I WOULD LIKE TO SIGN MY CLUB UP FOR GROUP VOLUNTEERING & FUNDRAISING:

    Email us via volunteers@ballaratmarathon.com.au

  • HOW DO I QUALIFY AS AN ELITE ATHLETE?
    A strict qualifying time applies to our elite categories. Times will be published here and on the relevant sub-event information page.

    Our Elite Athlete program for 2026 has closed. For enquiries related to 2027, please email competition@ballaratmarathon.com.au

  • The Club/Team Tent Zone is a great option for groups.

    Expressions of interest will be available later in 2026.