FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • WHEN IS THE GEELONG RUNNING FESTIVAL?

    The inaugural Geelong Running Festival will take place on Sunday, the 20th of September, 2026.

    All three events - Marathon, Half Marathon and 8KM - will start at the same time. 7.00am

    WHEN DO REGISTRATIONS OPEN?

    Registrations for the 2026 Geelong Running Festival 8KM, Half Marathon and Marathon, will open on Sunday, September 21st, 2025 at 7.00am.

    IS THERE AN AGE RESTRICTION TO RUN?

    Yes.

    8KM - Must be 13 years or older on the day of the event, alternatively, those aged 7-12 years, must be accompanied by a registered adult.

    Half Marathon - Must be 16 years or older on the day of the event.

    Marathon - Must be 18 years or older on the day of the event.

    WILL THERE BE A KIDS RACE & ALL ABILITIES RACE?

    Yes. There there will be both a kids race and all abilities race at the 2026 Geelong Running Festival. This information will become available in early 2026, along with information about other family activities and vendors at the festival precinct.

    WILL THERE BE GEELONG RUNNING FESTIVAL MERCHANDISE?

    Yes. A range of merchandise will be available early 2026. Items will include singlet, T-Shirt, long sleeve shirt, hoodie and race hat.

    Merchandise will also be available for purchase at our expo event on Thursday (17th), Friday (18th) and Saturday (19th).

  • WHEN & WHERE DO I COLLECT MY RACE BIB?

    Information on collection location and collection times, will be available early 2026.

    • All race bibs must be collected. Bibs will not be posted.

    • If you misplace your race bib before the event there will be a $20.00 replacement fee.

    WHERE CAN I LEAVE MY PERSONAL BELONGINGS?

    We will offer a Baggage Drop on race day at Steampacket Gardens. Place your belongings in your own bag, and attach the bag tag from your race bib to your bag before dropping it off. You need to have your race bib with you to collect your bag again.

    WHERE SHOULD I PARK MY CAR?

    There is ample parking in and around Geelong’s CBD. More information will be available from August 1st, 2026.

    WHERE CAN I FIND INFORMATION ON THE ROAD CLOSURES?

    To keep runners and spectators safe, the Geelong Running Festival will have a number of road closures and traffic changes across parts of the city.

    We have contracted Altus Traffic Australia and O2 Events Australia with this huge responsibility. Both groups have been pivotal in the planning and execution of the Cadel Evans Road Race.

    Please check HERE for further information on road impacts and closures as they currently stand.

    WHO IS TIMING THE RACES?

    Multisport Australia, who are the largest Timing Company in Australia, and operate in over 15 countries around the world.

    WHERE WILL I FIND MY RESULT?

    For the 2026 results page, go - HERE.

    WILL THERE BE PHOTOGRAPHY AT THE EVENT?

    More information coming early 2026.

  • CAN I USE A RUNNING VEST?

    Yes. We encourage the use of running vests, particularly when it comes to carrying hydration. This helps reduce the number of single-use cups we need to provide.

    CAN I CARRY MY OWN GELS?

    Yes. You can carry your own gels.

    WILL THERE BE BINS AT AID STATIONS?

    Yes. Please help our Volunteers and Crew by discarding all waste in the bins provided in the designated zones at each Aid Station.

    CAN I USE A WHEELCHAIR OR PUSH A PRAM?

    Wheelchair users competing with a race chair, are only permitted in the Wheelchair Half Marathon.

    Wheelchair users in a day chair, are allowed in all races, but must start at the back of the field and must observe the cut-off times. Please note all participants must be registered.

    Anyone pushing a pram, is allowed in all races, but must start at the back of the field and must observe the cut-off times. Please note all participants must be registered.

    Hand cycles are not permitted in any race.

    CAN I RUN WITH MY DOG?

    NO. Dogs are NOT permitted in any race event.

    CAN I RUN WITH HEADPHONES?

    We do not encourage participants to wear headphones for safety reasons, but if you do, please make sure you are still able to hear what is happening around you.

    CAN I HAVE SOMEONE HAND ME GELS/HYDRATION/FUEL OUTSIDE OF DESIGNATED AID STATIONS?

    If you are NOT an Elite runner, you may choose to receive support from friends or family members at designated points along the course, BUT not near our aid stations that are set up.

    • Bikes/ Scooters are not permitted on any section of the course, unless they are being used by an event official.

  • WHERE DO THE RACES START AND FINISH?

    • 8KM - Starts at the T & G Building, corner of Ryrie and Moorabool St., and finishes at Steampacket Gardens (Eastern Beach Rd).

    • Half Marathon - Starts and finishes at Steampacket Gardens (Eastern Beach Rd).

    • Marathon - Starts and finishes at Steampacket Gardens (Eastern Beach Rd).

    WILL THERE BE AID STATIONS AND TOILETS AVAILABLE?

    There will be water, electrolyte hydration and energy gels at each of our aid stations. There will also be toilets at each aid station. More information on aid station locations will become available in early 2026.

    ARE THE COURSES CERTIFIED?

    Yes. Our Half Marathon and Marathon courses will AIMS certified (Association of International Marathons and Distance Races) and World Athletics accredited. You will be eligible to enter your official race time into a World Marathon Majors ballot.

    IS THE MARATHON COURSE ONE LOOP?

    Yes. The Marathon course is one loop.

    ARE THE COURSES ON THE ROAD?

    Yes. All our race courses do not include footpaths or gravel sections. Race course maps can be found on each race distance event page.

    WHAT ARE THE ELEVATION PROFILES OF THE COURSES?

    The elevation gain on each course is as follows:

    • Marathon - 182m

    • Half Marathon - 108m

    • 8KM - 64m

    WHAT ARE THE CUT-OFF TIMES FOR THE MARATHON AND HALF MARATHON?

    The cut-off time is 6 hours and 20 minutes, which is 9-minutes per kilometer. Cut off times are based on chip time and not gun time.
    Cut-off points on the marathon course will be at 8KM, 15KM, 32KM and 39KM.
    Cut-off points on the half marathon course will be at 8KM and 15KM.

    • Our event permit has been approved by all key stakeholders based on us adhering to opening all roads in a timely manner.

    IS THERE A CAPACITY ON NUMBERS FOR EACH EVENT?

    To provide a safe, and fun experience for all participants, there will be a capacity placed on all events.

  • HOW DO I REGISTER A CLUB/ TEAM?

    Whether it be family, friends, work colleagues, gym or running group mates, create a club/ team and make the Geelong Running Festival and event that you can all enjoy!

    During the race registration process, there is a section called TEAMS. You will then be prompted to answer the required questions to create your team.

    • PLEASE NOTE: If you are the first team member to register, select “Create new team” in the “Team” section. Then follow the prompts, and once you have completed your team, share the team url or name with others.

    WILL THERE BE TENT ZONES FOR MY CLUB/TEAM?

    Yes. Team tents can be hired for race day, and they will be located by the start/ finish line at Transvaal Square (1 Yarra St). More information on tent bookings will be available early 2026.

  • WHO GETS A FINISHER’S MEDAL?

    Everyone who completes the 8KM, Half Marathon and Marathon, receives a finisher’s medal.

    IS THERE PRIZE MONEY?

    Yes. See individual race pages for respective prize money.

    HOW ARE THE WINNERS DECIDED WHEN IT COMES TO TIMING?

    In Iine with World Athletics rules, the overall winner and top placegetters of each race, will be decided by gun time, and the athlete who crosses the line first, is deemed the winner.

    All timing results will display a participant’s gun time and net time, but net time is not used to determine the overall winner or top placegetters.

    • Gun time is when the starter’s gun goes off.

    • Net time is taken from when you physically cross the start line after the gun.

    ARE THERE AGE GROUP AWARDS?

    Yes. The top placed male and female winners will be decided by net time, and recognised in the following age groups:

    • Marathon: 18-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80+

    • Half Marathon: 16-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80+

    • 8K: 13-16, 17-20, 21-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80+

    * Net time is taken from when you physically cross the start line after the gun.

  • WILL THERE BE PACE MAKERS AT THE EVENT?

    Yes. There will be pace makers in both the Marathon and Half Marathon event.

    The designated pacers will be as follows:

    SEE MARATHON RACE PAGE FOR PACING GROUPS

    SEE HALF MARATHON RACE PAGE FOR PACING GROUPS

    APPLY TO BE A PACE MAKER

    Pace makers are experienced runners, that guide and motivate participants to maintain an even pace throughout their race, with the goal of having them finishing close to their target time.

    Being a pace maker is an incredible way to support the running community, inspire others, and still be part of the race-day buzz. Pacers are the heartbeat of any race out on the course, with not only motivation, but keeping the energy at an all-time high for participants to stay engaged.

    All Pace Runners will receive a Geelong Running Festival singlet, and free entry into their pace distance event. 

    Please note: All pace makers will guide each pace group off net-time (Net time is taken from when you physically cross the start line after the gun).

    Please complete the form below, and we will be in touch with you when the application process is finalised.

    GEELONG RUNNING FESTIVAL PACE MAKER APPLICATION FORM

  • WHAT IS THE REFUND POLICY?

    There are NO refunds for any event at the Geelong Running Festival.

    • Our race registration platform “Race Roster”, does offer an “Enhanced Refund Protection Program” that you can purchase during the registration process. More information on that, can be found - HERE.

    CAN I DEFER MY ENTRY?

    There are NO deferrals for any event at the Geelong Running Festival.

    CAN I TRANSFER MY RACE REGISTRATION TO SOMEONE ELSE?

    Yes. You can transfer your race registration to someone else if you are no longer planning to participate. Log into your Race Roster registration and click “Transfer”. There are NO transfers permitted after July 31st, 2026.

    CAN I TRANSFER TO A DIFFERENT DISTANCE?

    Yes. You can transfer to a different race distance, as long as it’s not sold out. Log into your Race Roster registration and click “Transfer”.

  • MARATHON GENERAL ENTRY START

    When registering, please indicate your expected marathon finishing time. This information will assist in our planning for the start chute, medical planning out on course, etc. It is ok if your time changes with training between now and the event.

    Marathon General Entry Groups: Sub 3:00, 3:00-3:59, 4:00-4:59, 5:00-5:59, 6:00+.

    HALF MARATHON GENERAL ENTRY START

    When registering, please indicate your expected half marathon finishing time. This information will assist in our planning for the start chute, medical planning out on course, etc. It is ok if your time changes with training between now and the event.

    Half Marathon General Entry Groups: Sub 1:30, 1:30-1:59, 2:00-2:30, 2:30+ 

    WHAT IS INCLUDED IN MY ENTRY FEE?

    • Race bib with timing chip.

    • A finisher’s medal.

    • Course certified by AIMS and measured to World Athletics standards.

    • Insurance.

    • First aid, Aid stations and amenities.

    • Access to our post event recovery and party zone at Steampacket Gardens.

    • The opportunity to run or walk around the streets of Geelong traffic free, pass through iconic Kardinia Park, and to enjoy the picturesque views of Corio Bay and the Eastern Beach foreshore.

    • All participants in the 8KM, Half Marathon and Marathon event, will be able to download, print off and frame, our 2026 Geelong Running Festival event logo.

    • All participants in the Marathon, will receive a finishers T-Shirt. (Everyone else will have the option to purchase an event T-Shirt via our Race Roster store in early 2026.)

    • All participants in the Half Marathon, will receive an event running hat. (Everyone else will have the option to purchase an event running hat via our Race Roster store in early 2026.)

  • HOW DO I FUNDRAISE FOR A LOCAL GEELONG CHARITY OF MY CHOICE?

    We have partnered with Grassrootz to help us raise $250,000 for local charities in 2026. You explore the incredible local charities you can support, and help us make a positive and lasting impact in our community.

    Visit this link and hit ‘Start Fundraising' to get started now!

    * If you can’t find the local charity you wish to support, then please contact support@grassrootz.com, and they will onboard your charity for you.

  • CAN I VOLUNTEER AT THE 2026 GEELONG RUNNING FESTIVAL?

    Absolutely! We are now accepting expressions of interest to volunteer in a range of different roles.

    Please complete the form below, and we will be in touch with you when the application process is finalised.

    GEELONG RUNNING FESTIVAL VOLUNTEER “EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST” APPLICATION FORM

  • WHAT ARE THE TIME STANDARDS TO QUALIFY AS AN ELITE ATHLETE?

    Time standards for the Marathon and Half Marathon are as follows:

    • Men’s Marathon: Sub 2.22:00

    • Men’s Half Marathon: Sub 1.06:00

    • Women’s Marathon: Sub 2.42:00

    • Women’s Half Marathon: Sub 1.16:00

    WHAT ARE THE TIME STANDARDS TO QUALIFY AS A SUB-ELITE ATHLETE?

    Time standards for the Marathon and Half Marathon are as follows:

    • Men’s Marathon: Sub 2.40:00

    • Men’s Half Marathon: Sub 1.15:00

    • Women’s Marathon: Sub 3.00:00

    • Women’s Half Marathon: Sub 1.30:00

    * You will get a priority start behind the elite field.

    HOW DO I REGISTER?

    To be considered for a spot in our elite or sub-elite field, when registering, please submit a link to a result that verifies that you have met the standards from an event after 1st January, 2025.

    For all elite and sub-elite enquiries, please contact Matthew McDonough: athletemanager@teamgeelong.com