About the festival
One of Victoria's oldest running festivals.
A legacy of excellence
Established in 1998, the Shepparton Running Festival is one of Victoria's most cherished and enduring marathon events. For over two decades it has attracted participants from across Australia and beyond, with flat and fast courses made for personal bests along the Goulburn and Broken Rivers.
Our courses
- Marathon: a challenging yet rewarding course, perfect for seasoned marathoners.
- Half Marathon: test your endurance on a slightly shorter but equally scenic route.
- 10km and 5km: great options for intermediate runners and beginners alike.
- Family 2km: encouraging young athletes to join in and fall in love with running.
Community and beyond
The Shepparton Running Festival is more than a race. It is a celebration of community, health and fitness. Families, friends and spectators come to cheer on the runners, with local vendors, entertainment and activities for everyone.
History
Origins
The Shepparton Marathon was first held on 23 August 1998, with 13 dedicated finishers laying the foundation for a tradition of community and athletic excellence.
Early years
For the first 15 years, the event was based out of the Princes Park club rooms of the Shepparton Runners Club, run by a tight-knit community of local runners and volunteers.
A new era
In 2013 the event moved to the heart of Shepparton, with the start and finish at Victoria Park and Victoria Park Lake as the backdrop. Between 2013 and 2019 participation and community engagement grew strongly.
Challenges and resilience
The global events of 2020 and 2021 posed unprecedented challenges, but the spirit of the marathon community remained unbroken.
A new beginning
The Shepparton Runners Club passed the baton to Fit City Events for a re-launch in 2023, bringing fresh energy and ideas to further develop the festival while keeping its community spirit.
Join us in writing the next chapter
Whether as a participant, volunteer or supporter, your involvement builds on the history of this event and helps secure its future.