FAQ

Runners must be at least 18 years old on race day to participate in the full marathon.

Participants in the half marathon must be at least 15 years old and participants in the 10K and 5K must be at least 12 years old on race day, unless accompanied by an adult.

The marathon cutoff is 5.5 hours, or 7:50 per km
The half marathon cutoff is 3 hours, or 8:30 per km
The 10K cutoff is 2 hours and the 5K cutoff is 1 hour, both 12:00 per km

Yes – all distance events are suitable for wheelchairs, depending on your level of fitness.  Courses consist mainly of sealed bitumen roads and bike paths, with a 500m section of crushed aggregate surface on Rifle Range Road, which you will traverse twice.

The marathon has a total elevation change of approximately 270m, the half marathon has 135m, the 10K has 50m and the 5K has just 15m.

The female world record for a half marathon in a non sport wheelchair was set at our 2023 event by Emily Paix.

You can run, jog or walk any of the distances as long as you can finish within the designated cutoff time –

The marathon cutoff is 5.5 hours, or 7:50 per km
The half marathon cutoff is 3 hours, or 8:30 per km
The 10K cutoff is 2 hours and the 5K cutoff is 1 hour, both 12:00 per km

Yes of course, but please position yourself appropriately at the start so that you do not impede any faster runners around you.

Yes, of course you can.  Parents and older siblings are welcome to run or walk with and encourage their little champions along the course!

There is no need for buddy runners to register – it’s all for fun 🙂

Yes, you may run with your dog.  Dogs must be kept on a lead of 2m or shorter and it is a maximum of 1 dog per participant.  You must take bags to pick up and carry your dog’s poop with you until you pass a bin.  Please position yourself appropriately at the start so that you do not impede any faster runners around you.

No, there will not be pacers at this year’s McLaren Vale Marathon.

No, there will not be prize money at this year’s McLaren Vale Marathon.

We understand that some runners treasure their finisher medals whilst others prefer to keep entry fees to a minimum.  Medals and engraving are an optional purchase at Great Soutehrn Runs events to give every runner the choice. 

Changes to your race distance can be made online up to Thursday 18 April at https://raceroster.com/events/2024/83713/mclaren-vale-marathon

After this date changes must be made in person at the bib collection marquee at Richard Hamilton Wines on Saturday 20 April from 12:00 to 4:00 pm or on race morning from 6:00 am.

If you transfer to a longer distance event you will be required to pay the additional entry fee applicable at the time of transfer. 

If you transfer to a shorter distance event more than 4 weeks before race day you will receive a refund of the difference between your original entry fee and the entry fee for your new distance at the time of transfer.

If you transfer to a shorter distance event within 4 weeks of race day the difference in entry fees will not be refunded.

No – transfers are not permitted as all runners are required to complete their details (including emergency contact info) and accept the event participation waiver through our online registration system.  If you are unable to participate you can request a refund up to 4 weeks before race (or up to 1 week before race day if you purchased Diamond Cover with your race entry).  Click here to view our full refund policy.

Basic refund insurance is included with all race entries, allowing you to receive a refund of race entry & extras (less a $12 admin fee) up to 4 weeks before race day for any reason – no questions asked.  After this time, all income is committed to delivering the event and refunds/credits are not available unless you have taken out Diamond Cover Insurance.  Click here to view our full refund policy.

Diamond Cover is an additional insurance option to give you greater protection should you need to withdraw from an event with less than 4 weeks to go until race day. For a small premium, you will be eligible for a full refund up to one week before race day with no further admin fees.  Click here for more information.  

If you selected the postage option, your race pack (containing your bib and any merch you bought) will be posted to you by Monday 1 April, in plenty of time for delivery before race day.

If you selected the postage option and your race pack does not arrive before race day we can easily issue a replacement for you.  Come and see our team at bib collection at Richard Hamilton Wines on Saturday 21 April from 12:00 to 4:00 pm or on race morning from 6:00 am and they will look after you.

If you selected The Running Company pick up option, your race pack (containing your bib and any merch you bought) will ready for you to collect from Saturday 6 to Friday 19 April 2024.  

The Running Company – Adelaide, 278 Unley Road, Hyde Park
The Running Company – South Adelaide, 39 Beach Road, Christies Beach

Don’t worry if you don’t get the chance to pop in to The Running Company to collect, as we will take back all remaining bibs at 5:00 pm on Friday 19 April and they will then be available to pick up at Richard Hamilton Wines on Saturday afternoon (from 12:00 to 4:00 pm) or Sunday morning (from 6:00 am) instead.

If you selected the Richard Hamilton Wines pick up option, your race pack (containing your bib and any merch you bought) will ready for you to collect on Saturday 20 April from 12:00 to 4:00 pm or race morning from 6:00 am.

Richard Hamilton Wines – 439 Main Road, McLaren Vale