Melbourne Events 2023

Help us give premature babies a better chance of survival by joining us in one of these spectacular Melbourne running events. 

Run with us to celebrate prematurely born children, both living and lost. Fundraise for cutting edge neonatal equipment giving premature babies a better chance of survival. To read more about the babies we've supported, click here.

Every year, more than 26,000 babies are born prematurely in Australia (that’s 1 in 10!), with many needing specialized neonatal care to survive. But too often, vital pieces of lifesaving equipment are in short supply.

The funds you raise will help Running for Premature Babies to provide hospitals right across Australia with this urgently needed, technologically advanced equipment. From incubators to specialized ventilators and monitors, every piece of equipment is crucial in giving premature babies the very best chance of survival and quality of life.

Run Melbourne 

Join us for closed CBD roads on a flat and fast course.

Race date: Sunday 16 July 2023

Distances: Half Marathon, 10km, 5.2km 

Start times: 6:45am for Half Marathon, 8:45am for 10km, 10:00am for 5.2km 

Start Line: Batman Ave 

Finish Line: Grand Slam Oval, Melbourne Olympic Park 

Click the button below to register or donate.

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Register Now

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Melbourne Marathon
Be a part of Australia’s largest marathon and race alongside marathon legends.

Race date: Sunday 15 October 2023 

Distances: Marathon, Half Marathon, 10km, 5km, 3km walk

Start times: 7am for Marathon, 8am for Half Marathon, 7:30am for 10km, 11:30am for 5km, 11:45am for 3km walk 

Start Line: Batman Ave 

Finish Line: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) 

Click the button below to register or donate.

Premmie Marathon Challenge 

Join us virtually throughout November for the Premmie Marathon Challenge.

Date: 1 - 30 November 2023

Distances: 21km, 42km, 100km, 200km, 300km 

Start times: Whenever you like from 1 November

Start Line: Where ever you choose

Finish Line: Where ever you choose

Click the button below to register or donate.

LEARN MORE

Register now

Donate

Kids Fun Run
Join us for the Running for Premature Babies Kids Fun Run. 

Race date: Sunday 20 August 2023
Distance: As much as you can 
Start time: 11am 
Start Line: Fawkner Park, South Yarra
Finish Line: Fawkner Park, South Yarra 
Click the button below to register or donate.

About Us

Running for Premature Babies was established in 2007 by Sophie Smith after she and her late husband Ash lost their first-born triplet sons, Henry, Jasper and Evan, following an extremely premature birth at 24 weeks.

Since then, thousands of people have run for the cause, raising more than $5 million for lifesaving neonatal equipment and research giving thousands of premature babies a better chance of survival. 

The Running for Premature Babies Foundation is a registered Australian Charity supporting neonatal units in hospitals around the country.