The Melbourne Marathon, first held in 1978, stands as one of Australia’s most iconic running events. Originally a Boston-style point-to-point race from Frankston to Melbourne Town Hall, it quickly gained popularity, surpassing 6,000 entrants by the early 1980s. After a lull in the 1990s, the event experienced a resurgence in 2007 when the finish line moved inside the historic Melbourne Cricket Ground, drawing record numbers of runners. The marathon is renowned for its fast, flat course, attracting elite athletes including Australian Olympians and international competitors. Over the years, it has grown into a major festival of running, featuring marathon, half marathon, and 10km races that collectively welcome tens of thousands of participants annually. Supported by major sponsors such as Nike, the Melbourne Marathon continues to break participation records and raise substantial funds for charity. Despite challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, it remains Australia’s largest marathon by finishers and a highlight of the national running calendar.