WELCOME

Trailsplus is proud to host the annual Marysville Marathon Festival. The event has played an important part in the community’s recovery from the tragic 2009 bushfires through financial donations and community involvement.

The event features running events of 4km, 10km, Half Marathon (21km), Marathon (42km) and Ultramarathon (50km) on scenic valley trails and forest tracks, passing sparkling rivers and waterfalls. Participants travel alongside the Steavenson River and Falls, take on beautiful forest trails and, for the longer distances, some challenging hills await with great rewards at the top. For those who enjoy a slower pace, walkers join in the shorter distances.

Competitors, volunteers and onlookers all have a great day out, supporting the community, encouraging others and experiencing the beauty of Marysville.

In 2023 we introduced some exciting new Saturday events…

….like the Kids 1500m dash, and the King and Queen Of the Mountain 7km and 14km events, and the inaugural 100km that starts during Saturday night. They proved to be popular so we are keeping them for 2024.

Come and make a whole weekend of it. See you there.

PATRON’S MESSAGE – 2024

Here we go for the 16th annual Marysville Marathon Festival, over a decade and a half — if you can believe it — of welcoming you to our treasured region of Victoria. Come and enjoy the towering trees and ferns of the forest, crystal clear rivers and majestic mountains, topped by inspiring views for your perspiring efforts. Our friendly volunteers will support your journey, as they raise funds towards the clubs they represent. We also continue to boost Marysville CFA and SES with fundraising. The longer races head over Red Hill, along the Taggerty River valley before returning to Gallipoli Park for the challenging climb to the breathtaking lookouts and the reward of Steavensons Falls. Listen out for the call of lyrebirds on the ranges above the Taggerty.

On Saturday, the day before, between 3-4 pm the festival has expanded to include the 14 km King and Queen of the Mountain to Keppel Lookout, scenically traversing to the top of Steavensons Falls and descending back home. That’s secret Marathon / Ultra territory for those who’ve never seen it. Also including Treefern Gully along the Steavenson River is the 7 km King and Queen of the Mountain before you wind through the forest. For the young guns and swifties we have a 1.5 km distance. If you need a bigger challenge, knock off the 100 km, see the forest through Saturday night and be guaranteed to be up before everyone else on Sunday, joining the Ultra course for your second 50 km.

A huge thanks to indefatigable Brett Saxon and the Trailsplus team for keeping the event going, plus to all our volunteers and participants. A shoutout to those who have been to all sixteen MMFs, the love is mutual! Bide a night or two here, have a stickie in our neck of the woods and thanks for supporting our prize sponsors.

Dr. Lachlan Fraser

Race Patron

The Neil McKern Marathon

(1946 – 2014)

Dr. Neil McKern and his wife Carol lost their part-time home in Marysville in the 2009 fires, which they rebuilt in following years. They joined in the community recovery, and Neil was instrumental in establishing the inaugural Marysville Marathon Festival in 2009. He claimed to know a bit about running, having excelled at 2000 m events and was part of a 4 x 800 m team that set the Australian Open & National Record in 1971 in 7:31, with Neil running 1:55. Even more remarkable, in 1978 he came second in the Victorian Amateur Athletic Association Marathon Championships in a scorching 2hr 21min, averaging 3:22 per km! In 1979 at the Victorian Championships at Point Cook he not only ran the 1500 m in 3:50 but tore up the marathon track in 2hr 22min, just 8 minutes behind Robert De Castella.

Neil was an esteemed CSIRO scientist, accomplished musician and gardener, and most of all a loving family man. We are proud to remember him this year with the Neil McKern Marathon at Marysville.

Neil at his best in the 70’s (above)

Planning first Marysville Marathon 2009 (right)

We acknowledge the traditional owners

Trailsplus acknowledges the traditional owners of the Taungurung country, whose land we visit and enjoy. We respect their history, culture and traditions, and we pay respect to their elders – past, present and emerging. The Taungurung were the first people of the rivers, valleys and mountains of the land we run on in the Marysville Marathon.

OUR PARTNERS

Please visit Foundation Murrindindi website and make a donation to support the Murrindindi communities