Registrations will open May, 2018, for the best Father’s Day celebration in Melbourne.
The YMCA Father’s Day Fun Run will be held on Sunday 3 September, 2017. Choose from two scenic routes around one of Melbourne’s best spots – the Tan.
Participants are staggered separately for both courses but everyone starts on Alexandra Avenue (head to the Village, we’ll direct you from there!) and finishes in the amazing Alexandra Gardens at the Event Village. The YMCA Father’s Day Fun Run is an all-inclusive event. Anyone, of any age and ability, is welcome. The event is wheelchair accessible, and families can bring strollers and dogs, too.
The 5km course kicks off at 9.30am. Starting on road at Alexandra Avenue near the Pillars of Wisdom, you will head southeast towards Anderson Street. Turn right into Anderson Street and onto the Tan Track. Then merge onto Birdwood Avenue, passing Government House Drive onto Linlithgow Avenue where you’ll loop along Linlithgow Avenue towards Anzac Avenue onto the St Kilda Service Lane. From St Kilda Service Lane, head towards Swanston Street turning right just before the bridge onto Petticoat lane, heading to the finish line in Alexandra Gardens (Engineers Lawn) at the Event Village.
The longer 10km course starts at 8am. Starting on road at Alexandra Avenue near the Pillars of Wisdom, you will head south-east towards Anderson Street. Turn right into Anderson Street and onto the Tan Track. Then merge onto Birdwood Avenue, passing Government House Drive onto Linlithgow Avenue where you’ll loop along Linlithgow Avenue towards Anzac Avenue onto the St Kilda Service Lane. At the intersection of St Kilda Road Service lane and Linlithgow Avenue, turn right onto Linlithgow Avenue heading towards Alexandra Avenue where you’ll merge onto the Tan Track, following it around the course once more. As you get back onto the St Kilda Service Lane the second time around, head towards Swanston Street turning right just before the bridge onto Petticoat lane, heading to the finish line in Alexandra Gardens (Engineers Lawn) at the Event Village.
Sign up before Thursday 17 August 2017 midnight to receive your race-bib and timing device in the mail. Registrations after this time will be able to collect their bib at the Event Village in Alexandra Gardens on the day – please provide ID or proof of registration. On the day registrations accepted.
| Cost | Early Bird (valid until 4 August 2017) |
Standard (valid until 12pm 1 September, 2017) |
On the Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult* (5km or 10km) | $45 | $55 | $60 |
| Child**(5km or 10km) | $25 | $35 | $40 |
| Family*** – one adult, two children (5km or 10km) | $70 | $90 | $100 |
| Family*** – Two adults, two children (5km or 10km) | $115 | $145 | $160 |
*Adult is 18 years and above, as at 3 September, 2017
**Child is 4-17 years of age, as at 3 September, 2017. It is free for children 0-3 to participate
***Additional children can be added to a Family ticket for $15 each
Online registrations close 12pm 1 September, 2017. Those looking to register after this time will need to arrive early on event day to register in person.
Everyone who registers for the YMCA Father’s Day Fun Run receives $50 off a pair off Brooks runners at Active Feet!
Your entry fee covers the costs of running the event including, but not limited to, signage, traffic management, and first aid. An additional transaction fee covers the processing administration of your entry – this is detailed in our FAQs under registration questions. All fundraising goes towards YMCA programs that builds resilience and equip vulnerable young people against the onset of mental illness.
Train
The event is a short walk from Flinders Street Station. From the station, take the Swanston Street exit and head to your right toward the Arts Centre. Cross the road over the bridge to enter Alexandra Gardens. Event marshals will be present to direct you. You can also disembark at Richmond Station and walk up Swan Street to the start line.
Public transport route and timetable information can be found on the PTV website at ptv.vic.gov.au or by calling 1800 800 007.
Tram
Tram numbers 3, 5, 6, 8, 16, 64, 67 & 72 all travel down St Kilda Road. Disembark at the Arts Centre and cross the road to Alexandra Gardens.
Public transport route and timetable information can be found on the PTV website at ptv.vic.gov.au or by calling 1800 800 007.
Cycle
BYO lock! Bicycle parking available on Boathouse Drive, just near the Event Village in Alexandra Gardens. We cannot accept responsibility for bikes lost or stolen.
Car parking
Car parking is extremely limited, so think about car-pooling to the event and arrive early to guarantee a park.
Please be aware of the road closures due to the event and adhere to parking restrictions.
Access and mobility
There will be an accessible drop-off point on event day on St. Kilda Road in front of the Arts Centre. St. Kilda Road Service lane south bound will be closed to traffic. Traffic wishing to use the accessible drop-off point are best to approach from north bound lanes on St Kilda Road.
Disabled parking is available at the Arts Centre car park.
Road Closures
It is recommended that all motorists avoid roads in the Alexandra Avenue area including Birdwood Avenue, Linlithgow Avenue and St Kilda Road (Service Lane) from 5:00am to 12:30pm. Where possible, catch public transport, walk or ride to the event.
Most roads on the course will be closed from 5.00am until about 12.30pm.
| Following Roads will be closed | From | To | Close | Open |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boathouse Drive | Boathouse Drive | Boathouse Drive | 05:00 | 12:00 |
| Alexandra Avenue | Swan Street Bridge | Anderson Street | 04:00 | 12:00 |
| Birdwood Avenue – Linlithgow Avenue | Domain Road | Linlithgow Avenue | 06:00 | 12:00 |
| Linlithgow Avenue | St Kilda Road (SL) | Alexandra Avenue | 06:00 | 12:00 |
| St Kilda Road (Service Lane Only) | Anzac Avenue | Princess Bridge | 06:00 | 13:00 |
The YMCA Father’s Day Fun Run is one massive celebration! After venturing around the course, spend the rest of morning in the Event Village where you’ll find the best family fun in town.
There will be:
Check out our blog for more, and stay tuned Facebook and Instagram to hear first about everything happening in the Event Village.
Dads and father figures play a vital role in helping build healthy relationships with the young people close to them. They teach them resilience by being supportive, affirming role models that prepare their children for challenges and adversity.
Unfortunately, some young people are not so lucky.
With one in four young people struggling with mental illnesses like depression and anxiety, building resilience is more important now than ever.
The YMCA Father’s Day Fun Run is raising funds to build resilience in our young people.
All money raised will go to school and camping based programs that build resilience and equip disadvantaged young people with strong social and emotional skills.
“There’s a lot for the kids to do and they really loved it, it’s such a family friendly event which is why we came back again! When we’re running the kids are in prams so it’s good they have stuff to do after.”
Rebecca, 2017
“I didn’t know until recently that the YMCA actually started Father’s Day – it’s awesome!”
Marty, 2017
“The best thing is getting everyone together – and on Father’s Day it’s a good thing!”
Adam, 2017
