The Melbourne Marathon is not (yet) a popular marathon amongst Singaporean runners. We often hear of Gold Coast, Seoul, Berlin, Sydney but here is a race that ticks off a lot of the right boxes. Seasoned marathoner and a familiar face in the Singapore running scene, Neyton Tan, gives his take…
This year’s Melbourne Marathon on 12 October marked my 44th marathon, and like every race, it came with its own story, lessons, and a few surprises along the way.
I entered the ballot in December 2024, hoping for a race that offered cooler conditions, something different from Singapore’s humid climate. When I received my confirmation in April 2025, it couldn’t have come at a better time. The schedule aligned with work and family commitments, and Melbourne’s crisp October weather promised a great opportunity to race hard and race smart.
The Course: A Mix of Rhythm and Respect
The Melbourne Marathon, that saw 14,000 runners, is scenic but far from flat. With an elevation gain of about 145 metres, it demands focus, control, and pacing discipline. It starts near the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and winds through the city centre, Albert Park, and St Kilda Beach, before finishing back at the iconic MCG.
While runnable, the course has its quirks. There are kerbs in several inner-city sections, which can be tricky if you’re not paying attention. A friend of mine tripped over one around the 4km mark but impressively, he managed to continue running.
The aid stations were well-organised, spaced every 3–5km, and stocked with everything a marathoner needs: water, electrolytes, and gels. I appreciated the two official Maurten stations, which made fueling much easier to manage mid-race.
The Weather: As Good As It Gets
Race-day conditions were nearly perfect.
The morning began at 9°C and gradually warmed to 13°C by the finish. Humidity started at 75% and dropped to 66%, creating ideal conditions for endurance running: cool enough for performance, mild enough to stay comfortable.
It was one of those rare marathon mornings where you can settle into pace, breathe easily, and let the rhythm carry you. I even wore arm sleeves and a poncho for the first 2km just to keep warm before the adrenaline kicked in.
The Crowd: From City Buzz to Coastal Calm
The spectator support was vibrant and diverse. The city centre was electric, lined with cheering crowds, music, and banners that gave the race its early energy.
As the course moved through Albert Park and St Kilda Beach, the energy mellowed, replaced by quiet encouragement from residents stepping out to cheer runners with coffee mugs in hand. Some even handed out gummies and snacks along the way, a simple, heartwarming gesture that captured Melbourne’s friendly spirit.
Race-Day Recap: The Plan, the Pit Stop, and the Push
Breakfast was simple — an almond croissant and a Maurten Drink Mix 160 — enough to top up glycogen without upsetting the stomach (or so I hoped). Unfortunately, I couldn’t clear my bowels before the start, which sat uncomfortably in the back of my mind as I joined the crowd at the starting line.
The goal was straightforward: hold a 4:30/km pace with the 3:10 pacers and maintain even splits. For the first half, everything went smoothly; strong rhythm, stable effort, and good control. But around the halfway mark, the inevitable struck. I had to take a toilet break, which cost roughly four minutes, based on my Strava splits and official timing.
Once back on course, I bolted to catch the pacers; a chase that stretched from 22km to about 28km. It was thrilling but costly. By the 35km mark, my hamstrings began twitching, warning me to back off. I took a quick stretch, reset mentally, and focused on maintaining form through the final 7km.
Despite the detour, I crossed the line in an official time of 3:17:30 (net time 3:17:05), still within my 3:10–3:20 target range and a result I am genuinely proud of.
Final Thoughts: Race Hard, Stay Grateful
The Melbourne Marathon is a race that rewards preparation, patience, and perspective. It’s not a course that gives you a personal best easily. You’ll have to earn it.
With its rolling terrain, near-perfect weather, and incredible community support, it’s one of those events that reminds you why you love this sport in the first place.
For me, as my 44th marathon, crossing the finish line in 3:17:05 was more than just a time. It was proof that with consistency, resilience, and a bit of humour (yes, even mid-race toilet detours), the joy of running never fades.
Some races are about chasing PBs; others, about chasing perspective.
Melbourne was both. An honest, humbling, and unforgettable reminder that the finish line always feels sweeter when you’ve worked for every stride.
Neyton’s race nutrition:
Pre-race: Almond croissant + Maurten Drink Mix 160
Maurten Caf 100 gels: 15 mins before start, then at 8km, 16km, 27km, and 34km
Crampfix: Taken at 34km and 38km to fight off potential cramps
Neyton’s gear setup:
Down Bad Boston 025 Bandit Cap
ASICS Metaspeed Singlet
ASICS x Bandit Superbeam™️ Next Gen 7” Pocket Half Tights
Garmin Solar 955
ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo
Arm sleeves + poncho for the first 2km
