Melbourne is famous for its sports and recreation activities. Every year many visitors travel from across the country and the globe to experience and take part in the events the city has to offer. Known as the sporting capital of Australia, the city prioritises active experiences to promote health and fitness amongst its residents. By doing so, it encourages the population to be in good physical condition. This is part of why the city created the Active Melbourne  app , which supports people’s fitness by offering virtual gym classes, tracking workouts, providing access to personalised training programmes, and the ability to book sports facilities like public pools.

Melbourne also hosts many fitness events for athletes, sports enthusiasts, and active people to enjoy. If you’re looking for activities to join for the rest of the year, you’ve come to the right place. Here are the top 10 fitness events you won’t want to miss in Melbourne for the second half of 2023:

RFPB Kids Fun Run: VIC
 

Fitness events aren’t limited to adults and athletes. Kids and families can also participate in events like Running For Premature Babies Foundation (RFPB) Kids Fun Run: VIC. On August 20 at Fawkner Park, South Yarra, kids aged 2-12 year old, parents, and families can run a 400m lap as many times as they can. Participants can run one lap or up to five kilometres and more, depending on their endurance and determination. Even parents with prams are welcome to join, making this an inclusive fitness event for all kinds of families. Kids will receive a shirt and a medal upon finishing their laps. The funds collected in this event will be used to get lifesaving equipment for neonatal units around Australia. Registration can be accessed at the Running for Premature Babies site.

Pilates Alliance Australasia Conference 2023

The Pilates Alliance Australasia (PAA) Conference will be held at the Crown Conference Centre from August 25-27. Headed by the PAA, this event is aimed towards instructors and enthusiasts who want to deepen their knowledge and understanding of Pilates. There will be practical and theory-based workshops, masterclasses, and an evening cocktail party to celebrate the growing community. Some of the headline presenters include Pilates expert Alexandra Bohlinger and Pilates elder Lolita San Miguel. Tickets are available for booking at the PAA site.

HYROX Melbourne 23-24

 

HYROX is a fitness competition combining running and functional workouts. The events will involve participants completing 8 sets of running a kilometre and performing a functional workout. This year’s HYROX Melbourne will happen on August 26, 8-11 AM, at the Melbourne Showgrounds. Some of the competition categories will include Doubles Men, Pro Women, and Mixed Relay. Recently, HYROX signed a training deal with Body Fit Training (BFT), a company providing group strength training programmes to provide positive outcomes for various fitness levels. BFT will become the exclusive training centre for HYROX participants, helping them perform to the best of their ability on race day. Current BFT members will receive exclusive access and benefits to HYROX events.Tickets are still available on HYROX’s website.

 

Sandy Point Half Marathon

 

The Sandy Point Half Marathon will commence on August 27, starting at Green Point, Brighton. This one-lap half-marathon will take runners on a scenic course through the suburbs of Brighton, Hampton, and Sandringham. There are three distances to choose from 5, 10, and 21.1 kilometres. All events will start and end at Green Point. This event is perfect for marathoners who want to enjoy Melbourne's iconic bayside views and natural surroundings as they run. Sole Motive is this event’s organiser.   Registration and merchandise are available on their site.

 

Vibration (Conscious Dancing)

 

Vibration is a soulful gathering focusing on conscious dancing. It will be held on September 1 at the Summer Healing Society from 7 to 10 PM. This event is for dancers who want to unleash their inner groove with conscious dancing—an unchoreographed and intentionally non-evaluative mindful movement typically performed in a group setting. This transformative experience seeks to allow dancers to express themselves freely through movement. DJ Zepheirn Saint will head the night’s music with a curated, eclectic selection of songs. This event is perfect for dancers who simply want to move without stressing too much about choreography.   Tickets are currently available at Eventbrite.

 

United Energy Around the Bay

 

United Energy Around the Bay will take place on October 8 at Port Phillip Bay. This cycling event features many route options, including 50-, 100-, 200-, and 300- kilometre-long courses. Headed by the Bicycle Network, this event is part of a fundraiser  for Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision. This organisation was founded in June 2015 after the passing of Maddie Riewoldt, a Bone Marrow Failure Syndrome patient. Unfortunately, 50% of patients diagnosed with this illness die from it, as the condition involves the improper function of the bone marrow—the body’s blood- making system. The funds raised by this event will thus go to helping Maddie Riewoldt's Vision invest in research on Bone Marrow Failure Syndrome to help save lives and support families living with the condition. Registration for this event is currently available on the website of The Bicycle Network, which is hosting the event.

 

Melbourne Marathon 2023

 

The Melbourne Marathon on October 15 is the biggest race of the year, featuring some of the city’s most elite athletes. The event partners with Nike, a major shoe brand for sports professionals. They will provide some of the runner’s gear, including shoes, tank tops, and bottoms. This competitive race is only for experienced marathon runners, who can choose to accomplish a half marathon, a 3-kilometre walk, or a 5- or 10-kilometre run. The winner will receive $20,000, and the first four runners-up will similarly be given cash prizes. Tickets are still available for certain events and distances on the Active website.

 

Melbourne Cup Day 2k Swim, Williamstown

 

The Melbourne Cup Day 2k Swim is initiated by the Melbourne Open Water Swimming Club. It will take place on October 31 at Williamstown Beach, where club members will complete a two-kilometre swim. It’s a great way to practise swimming skills and engage in friendly competition with fellow club members. Take note that participants must wear bright-coloured swimming caps so they can be better monitored when they’re in the water. Part of the funds collected from the event's fees will go into the club’s inclusion programmes and purchases of new safety equipment. Ticket availability has yet to be announced or finalised by the swimming club.

 

Yoga Festival Melbourne

 

On October 7 at the Catani Gardens, expect a day filled with yoga. Yoga Festival Melbourne will feature different activities surrounding yoga, including meditation, music, and mantras that will help you connect with your heart and inner self. It will be a world filled with inspiration and mindfulness, guiding and inspiring you with the roots of yoga. The event is organised by All Things Live, which will also hold Yoga Festivals in Sydney, Perth, and Wollongong this October. Currently, the event only has an interest check, which you can use to get notified once tickets are on sale.

 

2XU Triathlon Series - Race 1

 

The 2XU Triathlon Series - Race 1 by Triathlon Australia will happen on November 26 at the Elwood Beach Reserve, starting as early as 5:45 AM. It has three events: the Sprint Series (ages 15+), Fun Tri (ages 12+), and Tri Kids (ages 7-11). For this event, Triathlon Australia's partnership with major activewear brand Oakley will allow members to get discounts for any products they buy for Series 1. That includes Oakley's sunglasses many of which are lightweight, durable, and specifically designed to provide triathletes with eye protection from the sun and other elements. Members can get a maximum of 4 pairs annually from selected eyewear styles—including the Holbrook XL and Portal X. Membership applications and event registration are ongoing at Triathlon Australia’s site.

 

As the above list shows, Melbourne is a great destination for health-conscious and sport-loving individuals and families. If you are interested in sport but don’t want to get personally involved, Melbourne has many upcoming  special events —and though we note that some of them, like the Australian Open and the AFL Grand Final, occur regularly, there are many other events that are held less often and that you may not want to miss. Take your pick from the list above and book our chauffeur services so you can attend your chosen event in style. If you are flying into Melbourne, we offer
luxury airport transfers to provide the best on-ground transportation across Melbourne. This is because of our range of modern luxury cars, including BMW & Mercedes Benz, alongside our professional chauffeurs. Our booking service is 24/7, as is our customer support service. Melbourne is one of the best cities in Australia to visit, and if you are looking to take part in a sporting activity, we hope the above proves useful.