Frequently asked questions

General - Entry - Transport - Race day

General Questions

What date is the event?
Sunday, 18 July, 2010.

Where is the event assembly area located?
The event assembly area is located at Federation Square. You will be directed to the start line from Federation Square.

What distances are available?
Half Marathon (21.1km)
10km run
5km run/walk

Will I be timed?
We will be using IPICO electronic timing system to time all runners in the Half Marathon, 10km and the 5km runs as well as the walkers in the 5km event.

Where can I find my results?
The Age will publish a Run Melbourne results lift out on Tuesday, 20 July, 2010. Results will be available online in the results section of this website at 10am on Wednesday, 21 July, 2010.

Participants that nominated to receive SMS results and paid an additional $1 will receive a results SMS on the evening of the event.

Can I enter on the day?
Yes, there will be entries taken on the day at Federation Square from 6am.

What happens if I receive the race information pack and then don't do the event?
You don't have to notify the organisers if you are unable to run for any reason. Under no circumstances may you transfer or give your chest bib or timing tag to another person to use.

Please return your timing tag to the below address:
Run Melbourne, 4/11 Sabre Drive, Port Melbourne VIC 3207

Timing tags not returned by Friday, 30 July, 2010 will incur a $50 replacement charge.

What time does each race start?
Each event will be started in waves depending on your anticipated finish time. The first wave of each race will start as follows:

Half marathon: 7:15am
10km run: 9:00am
5km run/walk: 10:00am

Entry frequent questions

Will a race information pack be sent?
All entries received before 5pm Friday, 9 July, 2010 will be mailed a race information pack.

Race information packs will be sent from Wednesday, 16 June, 2010.

If you enter after Friday, 9 July, 2010 a race kit will NOT be sent in the mail. You will need to pick up your kit from the ‘Numbers Pick-up' marquee at Federation Square from 6am on event day.

What if I lose my race number?
You will need to pick-up another race pack from the ‘Number Pick-up' marquee on the morning of the event. Participants will be charged an additional $50.00 for the replacement timing piece. All participants must wear a race number. Anyone without a race number will not be permitted to start the event.

I have receive my race pack but not my merchandise.
If you have pre-purchased event merchandise it will be sent to you in the mail. Race information packs and event merchandise are sent separately. If you have not received your event merchandise before the event you can pick it up on the day.

What will the entry show on my credit card?
The Dingoes Refrain Pty Ltd trading as Start to Finish Event Management.

How can I obtain an entry form and enter?
1. Click here to enter online.
2. Downloadable PDF entry form available soon...

Can wheelchair athletes enter?
Yes, however, we request that all wheelchair athletes enter before Friday, 2 July. This is to ensure that event organisers can safely accomodate all wheelchair athletes on the course.

What is the teams challenge?
Through the Power Balance Team Challenge, the largest teams will each win a $1,000 donation to the charity of their choice through Everyday Hero.

Don't delay, get your company, social group, family or whatever group you want to enter into the Power Balance Team Challenge and start raising funds now!

The categories are as follows:

Largest corporate team (large organisation - more than 50 employees)
Largest medium corporate team (medium organisation 20 -50 employees)
Largest small corporate team (small organisation - less than 20 employees)
Largest community group
Largest school

Transport Frequent Questions

What roads will be closed?
There will be significant road closures in and around Melbourne's CBD on the morning of Sunday, 18 July, 2010.

It is important that you allow plenty of time to get to the venue. We recommend using public transport where possible, and bike parking will be available on event day. If you need to drive to the venue, please plan your route and parking location prior to leaving home and expect delays around Fitzroy Gardens, the MCG, St Kilda Rd, Wellington Pde, Flinders St and Batman Ave.

Where can I park?
Car parking is extremely limited. It is strongly recommended you use public transport to get to the event.
1) Arts Centre open 24hrs for a flat rate $12
2) Southgate (access from City Road or Southgate Avenue) open 24hrs for a flat rate of $8
3) Federation Square from 8am for a flat rate of $12
Please adhere to parking restrictions if parking on the street.

Can I catch public transport to the event?
TRAIN - Catch train services to Flinders St Station. Take the St Kilda Rd exit from station and walk to Federation Square. Be aware that the start time of the half marathon may be before your earliest train service.

TRAM - Routes 1, 3/ 3a, 5,6,8,16,64,67,72 service St Kilda Rd; disembark at Federation Square. Further information is available from metlinkmelbourne.com.au

Race Day Frequent Questions

What should I wear?
Runners - comfortable running gear and shoes suited to running on road surfaces. Participants should be aware that some fabrics can induce chaffing, which can become quite severe, especially for those in the half marathon. It is advisable that you wear clothing that you have trained in and are confident that you will be able cover the distance comfortably in.

5km Walkers - normal clothes and a comfortable pair of shoes will be fine.

Can I bring my dog or other pet to run/walk with me?
No. For safety reasons, animals are not permitted on the course.

Can I ride my bike alongside my friend who is running?
No. For safety reasons, bikes and rollerblades are not permitted on the course.

Can I push a pram in the event?
Prams are permitted however entrants who bring along a pram are asked to start at the rear of the last wave start for their event.

I have a toddler, do they have to pay?
Children under 4 are not required to pay the entry fee, however for safety and insurance reasons we do still require an entry form to be completed.

Where can I leave my bag?
There is a "Clothing" marquee to leave your clothing in the Federation Square car park. You will need to attach the tear off strip on the bottom of your race number to the handle of your bag so that we can locate your clothing after the race. Please do not leave any valuables in bags.

Where will the toilets be located?
Toilets will be clearly sign posted and will be available at Federation Square, Birrurung Marr and on the course.

Where will the first aid stations be located?
First aid stations will be located at the assembly area, finish line, and at each drink station on the course.

Where will the drink stations be?
Drink stations will be located at the assembly area, finish line, and four locations on the course with approximately 2.5kms between each drink station.

Water will be available at all drink stations, with Poweraid sports drink available at some drink stations on the course.

Will there be a warm up?
There will be an aerobics warm up on stage at Federation Square prior to the half marathon 10km and 5km events. Start to Finish strongly recommends that participants complete a thorough warm up before starting any of the events at Run Melbourne, presented by The Age.

What time does each race start?
Each event will be started in waves depending on your anticipated finish time. The first wave of each race will start as follows:

Half marathon: 7:15am
10km run: 9:00am
5km run/walk: 10:00am

What is a wave start, and how will I know what wave I should be in?
To ensure participant safety and to reduce congestion on the course, participants will be grouped with runners of a similar ability and each group will be sent off in waves spaced a few minutes apart.

When entering the event, it's important that you nominate a time bracket that you are aiming to complete the course in. On event day, you will then need to look out for the start area that corresponds to the time bracket you nominated.

Are there any time restrictions?
No, however anyone still on the road after 11am will be moved to the footpath for their own safety.

Where is the best place to watch friends or family members while they are out running or walking?
This year there will be a number of spectator points where it will be quite convenient for spectators and those already finished their event to see others on the course.

For the half marathon you will be able to see the runners as they pass Federation Square to start their second lap of the course.

Once the 10k runners leave the start at the corner of St Kilda Rd/Linlithgow Ave you will be able to see them again as they turn on Batman Ave.