Run the Tan

Run the Tan is an exciting showcase running festival featuring five key events that take on the challenging 3.8 km course.

A must-do event for elite athletes, recreational runners, schools, families and spectators alike, the course takes in Australia’s most iconic running track, the Tan, surrounding the Royal Botanic Gardens. The event includes Elite Athletes, Sporting Heroes and Emergency Services races, plus a fun run.

Run the Tan 2024 Dates, Running Event, Times, Prices, Map, Melbourne

The public Fun Run event is open to everyone from serious recreational runners to casual joggers and families – It is intended to be an inclusive event. You can even create a team with your running buddies, club, or work colleagues. However, there will be limited spots available.

The main Elite event and featured supporting events of Sporting Idols and Emergency Services will be invite-only, or participants will need to meet the entry criterion. There will also be a feature School Championship event (Battle of the Schools).

The official start point is at the Pillars of Wisdom near the junction of Olympic Boulevard and Alexandra Avenue. You will proceed clockwise along the Tan Track, heading east along Alexandra With the Botanic Gardens on your right and the Yarra River on your left. You make a 90-degree turn up the ever-so-dreaded Anderson St, bringing you just short of Domain Rd.

From here, you take another right turn veering back onto the gravel Tan Track alongside Birdswood Ave. You then pass the main entrance to the Gardens heading towards Linlithgow Ave, taking in the Shrine of Remembrance on the left and eventually returning to Alexandra Avenue to complete a full lap. Keep the gardens on your right side, and you can’t get lost!

One of the biggest challenges of running The Tan is Anderson Street Hill. This part of the track, up Anderson Street, has an incline of 4% with a 16m climb over a distance of approximately 600m. The rest of the track is relatively flat and easy to navigate, with distance markers every 250m.

The event is expected to offer some decent prize money for the main elite showcase event. A special bonus will be offered to the overall winning male and female if they break the respective all-time official record for their gender category. The final prize money pool will be announced closer to the event. Medals will be awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place getters for the other key race events.

It is also looking to recognise and award the King and Queen of the Mountain fastest time in each category for the Anderson Street Hill segment, and Age Grade Rankings will be recorded and recognised for all the events. Additional categories will include; Para Athletes, Juniors and 5yr age groups categories from 35+.

The event promotes a healthy and active lifestyle for all Australians, with a primary focus on raising awareness of the positive impact of exercise on mental health and wellbeing. You can support mental health by participating in Run The Tan and fundraising for local charities.

To register your interest in the event, please visit the official event website at runthetan.net. Registrations are expected to open in November. Limited spots will be available, so register early to secure your chance to be part of this new and exciting event!