General - Entry - Transport - Race day

General

What date is the event?
Sunday, 15 July 2012.
Note: the 3km Kids Run will take place on Saturday, 14 July 2012. 

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 run)
10km run
5km run/walk
3km Kids Run - Saturday, 14 July 2012 

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. The 3km Kids Run on Saturday, 14 July 2011 will not be timed.

Where can I find my results?
The Age will publish a Run Melbourne results lift out on Tuesday, 17 July 2012. Results will be available online in the results section of this website from noon on Tuesday, 17 July 2012.

Participants that have nominated to receive SMS results and have 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 (Sunday, 15 July) at Federation Square from 6am. For the Kids Run, entries will be taken on the day (Saturday, 14 July) at Alexandra Gardens from 9am. Entries will also be available at the Health & Fitness Expo from Thursday, 12 July until Saturday, 14 July.

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:
The Age Run Melbourne, 12 Rocklea Drive, Port Melbourne VIC 3207

Timing tags not returned by Friday, 27 July 2012 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.

More information on wave starts will be provided, closer to the event day.

Entry

Will a race information pack be sent?
All entries received before close of business Friday, 15 June 2012 can opt to have their race kits mailed to them. All postage will incur a $5 fee. Race kits can also be collected from The Health and Fitness Expo, prior to event day.

Race kits will commence to be sent from Friday, 1 June 2012.

Those who enter after Friday, 15 June 2012 will not be given the option of postage. Instead, they will need to collect their race kit from the Health & Fitness Expo at Federation Square (Thursday, 12 July - Saturday, 14 July) .

 What if I lose my race number?

You will need to pick-up another race pack from The Health & Fitness Expo (Thursday, 12 July - Saturday, 14 July).

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 received 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 from the Health & Fitness Expo (Thursday, 12 July - Saturday, 14 July) or from the 'Merchandise' marquee on event 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.
 

Can wheelchair athletes enter?
Yes, however, we request that all wheelchair athletes enter before Friday, 29 June 2012. This is to ensure that event organisers can safely accomodate all wheelchair athletes on the course. 

Transport

What roads will be closed?
There will be significant road closures in and around Melbourne's CBD on the morning of Sunday, 15 July 2012.

It is important that you allow plenty of time to get to the venue. We recommend using public transport where possible (not possible for half-marathon participants), 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 the CBD, the MCG, St Kilda Rd, Wellington Pde, Flinders St, Alexandra Ave 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 (not possible for half-marathon participants).
1) Arts Centre open 24hrs for a flat rate $14.
2) Southgate (access from City Road or Southgate Avenue) open 24hrs for a flat rate of $8.
3) Federation Square (access via Russell Street) from 8am for a flat rate of $12.
4) Secure Parking, Flinders Street (opposite Federation Square) open 24hrs for a maximum of $16.
5) Eureka (access via City Road) open 24hrs for a flat rate of $8.
Please adhere to parking restrictions if parking on the street.

Can I catch public transport to the event?
It is strongly recommended that 10km and 5km participants use public transport to get to the event. Half-marathon participants will not be able to arrive by public transport in time for the start of the event.

TRAIN - Catch train services to Flinders Street 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 

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 chafing, 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 four years old 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 on the upper (Flinders Street) level of the Federation Square car park located in Russell Street Extension. 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 signposted and 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 Powerade 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 each event. Start to Finish strongly recommends that participants complete a thorough warm up before starting any of the events at The Age Run Melbourne. However, please do not warm up on the course as other events may be in progress.

What time does each race start?
Each event will be started in waves depending on your anticipated finish time.

Wave start times will be confirmed, closer to event day.

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, all events will be sent off waves. The waves will be determined by your expected finish time.

When entering the event, you will 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 and assemble into this wave. For more details click here.

Are there any time restrictions?
No, however all participants in the half-marathon and 10km events who have not completed the Batman Avenue section of the course by 11am will be directed onto the footpath.

Where is the best place to watch friends or family members while they are out running or walking?
Over the past few years Run Melbourne participants have grooved around many sections of the course with live bands and local DJ’s pumping all around the course. Spectators can also enjoy the tunes while they wait to cheer their friends and family around the roads of Melbourne.

The best spectator areas are:

• St Kilda Road (start line for all events)
• Alexandra Avenue (this is a hive of sound and activity with up to four bands and DJs spread along this beautiful river side avenue)
• Batman Avenue (close proximity to the finish area, this is an ideal point to cheer participants on and give them the extra boost over the last few kilometres)
• Flinders Street (half-marathon runners completing their first lap will thrive in the atmosphere as they run along Flinders Street passing Federation Square)