For the first time in 28 years, Melbourne will be the venue for the Australian Marathon Championships.

Later this year, an eager gathering of Australia’s best distance runners will take to the city’s streets in an attempt to win the Melbourne marathon and the national title in the one grueling 42.2km race.

The date set for the prodigal event is October 11^th, and the finish line will be located on the surface of the iconic MCG.

After stints in NSW and Queensland, the Australian Marathon Championships return to Melbourne largely because of the growth experienced by the local event. The recent and ongoing success of the Melbourne Marathon, now accompanied by a new deal between the event organisers and Athletics Australia, ensures that the race will take place at the same location in 2010.

“The outstanding level of participation in the run year after year shows distance running is alive and well in Melbourne,” explained Athletics Australia’s CEO, Mr. Danny Corcoran. “We look forward to showcasing the terrific Melbourne Marathon course to Australia’s elite distance runners.”

Runners will start on Batman Ave, continue along St.Kilda Road, circumvent Albert Park Lake, progress through the suburb of St.Kilda, pass the Royal Botanical Gardens and will then run an anti-clockwise lap of the MCG before finishing in front of the MCC Members Stand.

The first male and the first female to cross the finish line will receive $8,000 each, thanks largely to the event’s major sponsor, St.George Bank.