Half marathon guide 2024-25

| 8 min read Uncategorized

Do you want to raise money for a worthy cause but find the prospect of a full 42km race daunting? If so, then a half marathon could be for you.

In Australia, there are dozens of half-marathons every year, offering an opportunity for keen runners to take part in an endurance challenge for a charitable cause. Training and competing in a half marathon can be hugely rewarding, both in terms of personal achievement and the money you’ll raise for a charity close to your heart.

In this article, we share our comprehensive guide to Australian half marathons in 2024-25, so you can dust off your running shoes and prepare for an event near you.

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How long is a half marathon?

A half marathon is roughly 21.1km in length, offering participants a long-distance running challenge that requires slightly less training than a full marathon. The length of a half marathon will never fluctuate, but the type of terrain you’ll be running on can vary. 

This is especially true in Australia. Thanks to our stunning diverse landscapes, half marathons in Australia can incorporate coastal paths, bush trails, roads, parks and even the Outback! So, there is truly a race for everyone.

How to fundraise when running a half marathon

Raising money for your half marathon couldn’t be easier (it’s the running part that’s challenging). Follow these simple steps to ensure your fundraising gets off to the best possible start. Ready, steady, go!

  1. Confirm your place: Decide which half marathon you want to participate in and apply for a place.
  2. Decide who/what you want to fundraise for: Find a charitable cause that means something to you, whether that’s a local charity or raising money for a loved one who is going through a challenging time.
  3. Set a target: How much money are you hoping to raise? Be ambitious, but don’t be unrealistic. 
  4. Create a fundraising page: Set up a fundraising page online so people can start to sponsor you.
  5. Promote your run: Whether you rely on social media, word of mouth or community groups, the more you promote your fundraiser the more money you’ll raise.

Create your own fundraiser or run for an official charity

There is no right or wrong way to raise money for your chosen charitable cause – whichever method you choose, you’ll be making a huge difference. However, two popular options are to either create your own fundraiser or run on behalf of an official charity.

If you opt for the latter, then make sure you read the full terms and conditions for that particular charity. Most charities will have some conditions attached, where you may have to raise a certain amount of money to be eligible to race for that charity or have fundraising timeframes you need to adhere to.

This is why creating your own fundraiser can be beneficial, as it gives you the flexibility to raise money on your terms.

Australian half marathon list 2024-5

Feeling inspired? Let’s take a look at some of the Australian half-marathons in 2024 and 2025, so you can take a step closer towards applying for a place. 

From Queensland to Victoria and coastal paths to bush trails, you’ll be able to find a half marathon that suits you.

April

April is a popular month for half marathons in Australia, as the country transitions from the warmer summer months to the milder temperatures of autumn. 

If you live in the capital, the prestigious Canberra Times Marathon Festival takes place in April, with five different distances to choose from – including the half marathon. For an alternative half marathon experience, the Rock N Run Festival combines running and music, as you run through different live acts and performances.

May

The Runaway Marathon Series dominates the month of May, with two half marathons taking place in Sydney and Noosa. They also run a third half marathon in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand!

Set in a picturesque valley known for its excellent wine, you can swap your wine bottles for water bottles at the Barossa Marathon Festival near Adelaide. Is there a better location to finish your half marathon than an area surrounded by vineyards?

June

For those of you who don’t like running in the heat, June offers much more comfortable temperatures for half marathons. For Queenslanders and Western Australia residents, you’ll notice more running events are being held, as temperatures start to drop.

If you’re seeking the most beautiful running experience in Australia, then the Great Whitehaven Beach Run could be the answer, with the opportunity to race on its pristine sands. 

July

July is historically another popular month for half marathons in Australia, and 2024 is no different. If coastal views and stunning beaches are your vibe, then the Gold Coast Half Marathon and Airlie Beach Marathon Festival are excellent options.

For city slickers, Run Melbourne’s iconic half marathon leads you past landmarks like Flinders Street Station, Marvel Stadium and The Arts Centre, finishing within the home of the historic Australian Open.

August

If you live in Queensland and don’t want to travel across states, then August is the month to take your running shoes out of the wardrobe. Cooler conditions mean the Townsville Running Festival, Sunshine Coast Half Marathon and Logan Running Festival all come to town, leaving Queenslanders spoilt for choice.

Alternatively, residents of Victoria can take part in the Shepparton Running Festival, with running distances to suit all levels, including a half marathon.

September

Arguably Australia’s premier running event, the Sydney Marathon takes place in September – which includes a half marathon race. This iconic race leads participants over Sydney Harbour Bridge, taking in some of the city’s finest bays and landscapes before culminating at the Opera House. 

An equally picturesque option is the Kangaroo Island Half Marathon, which carves its way through Flinders Chase National Park.

October

Another of Australia’s showcase running events is the Melbourne Marathon Festival, which offers six different race distances in total. The half marathon is one of the most popular races, winding its way around Melbourne’s city centre.

The city of Perth also takes advantage of the cooler spring weather with its annual running festival. Runners have the choice of a 4km, 10km, half marathon and marathon, offering a race distance for everyone. The 2024 half marathon will take in the natural splendour of Burswood Park and the picturesque Swan River. 

November

Be honest, November caught your eye when you saw the words “husky” and “vineyards” didn’t it? While the Husky Half Marathon isn’t what it seems (although it does offer one of the country’s best running locations on the shores of the spectacular Jervis Bay Marine Park), the Vineyards Running Festival does what it says on the tin. 

The Vineyards Running Festival has five different race distances in total, leading participants through the beautiful vineyards of Nagambie, Victoria. The good part? As runners cross the finish line, they will be greeted with a small glass of wine to enjoy as they collect their medals.

December

To round off our list of half marathons for 2024, South Australia’s Victor Harbor Half Marathon is a flat course that takes runners on closed roads around the town, across the causeway to Granite Island and finishes on Warland Reserve.

January 2025

While The Cadbury Half Marathon sadly lacks chocolate, it does reward runners with stunning views around the picturesque island of Tasmania. The scenic course brings with it some interesting challenges, before ending at the Cadbury Chocolate Factory.

February 2025

Two contrasting half marathons take place in the month of February, with the city-based City Run in Adelaide and the coastal Kilcunda Half Marathon on Victoria’s Bass Coast. The latter is a great choice for trail runners.

March 2025

Last, but by no means least, is the Weston Creek Half Marathon. This course utilises bike paths with beautiful views of Lake Burley Griffin, located approximately 13 kilometres southwest of Canberra city centre.

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Written by dina