<![CDATA[The Running Desk]]>https://therunningdesk.substack.comhttps://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!9Fyt!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0b42f1e7-7a8f-4e1f-b3e1-2d949578142f_1028x1029.pngThe Running Deskhttps://therunningdesk.substack.comSubstackThu, 03 Sep 2026 09:29:02 GMT<![CDATA[Which doors are still open this week]]>https://therunningdesk.substack.com/p/which-doors-are-still-open-this-weekhttps://therunningdesk.substack.com/p/which-doors-are-still-open-this-weekSun, 30 Aug 2026 20:00:44 GMTThe Running Desk

Which marathon doors are still open this week, and which are about to shut.

You can Google a race date.

The Running Desk tells you what actually matters: what’s open, what’s closing, how you can still get in, and the official link to do it.

No Facebook bibs. No rumours. No dumping every marathon on earth into a calendar.

If we can verify an entry path with the organiser, it goes in. If we can’t, we tell you.

ACT TODAY

Melbourne Marathon — CLOSING TODAY

Public marathon and half entries are gone.

The final time-qualifier batch closes at 10:00am AEST today, with applicants notified by Friday 4 September.

A qualifying time does not guarantee a bib. If oversubscribed, Melbourne takes the fastest runners within each age/gender category.

Qualifying window: AIMS-certified in-person marathon or half between 1 January 2025 and 1 September 2026.

Still possible:

* Time qualifier
* Charity — $2,000 minimum
* Official travel
* Limited Bondi to Manly access pass

One important wrinkle: the standards page says 10:00am while the T&Cs say 11:59pm.

We wouldn’t bet a marathon entry on 11:59pm.

[Official registration](https://melbournemarathon.com.au/register/) · [Qualifying standards](https://melbournemarathon.com.au/qualifying-standards/) · [Other entry avenues](https://melbournemarathon.com.au/entry-avenues-to-the-nike-melbourne-marathon-festival/)

⸻

OPEN

Canberra Marathon 2027

Entries are open.

Super Early Bird closes: Wednesday 9 September, 11:59pm AEST
Marathon: $190
Half: $135
Race: Sunday 11 April 2027

[Official entry](https://raceroster.com/events/2027/139094/the-canberra-times-marathon-festival-2027)

Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon — CLOSES 10 SEPTEMBER

For most overseas amateur runners, Category 4 is the door: sub-3:30 marathon on a JAAF or AIMS course since 1 January 2025.

Closes: Thursday 10 September, 5:00pm JST / 6:00pm AEST
Entry: ¥18,000
Oversubscribed? Category 4 goes to a lottery.

Overseas runners enter through RunJapan and then provide proof of their qualifying time.

https://www.betsudai.com/

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[Overseas entry](https://www.betsudai.com/75th-beppu-oita-mainichi-marathon-registration-for-runners-residing-overseas/)

Osaka Marathon 2027 — CHARITY STILL OPEN

The general lottery closed Friday 28 August.

Charity entry is still first-come-first-served until Monday 19 October, 5:00pm JST.

Overseas entry: USD $145

[Official entry information](https://www.osaka-marathon.com/2027/runner/entry/admission/)

Queenstown Marathon 2026

Entries are open.

Closes: Thursday 13 November, 5:00pm NZT
Entry: NZ$277
Race: Saturday 14 November 2026

(https://queenstown-marathon.co.nz/entry-info/)

Christchurch Marathon 2027

Super Early Bird is open. That is a price tier, not an entry close.

Super Early closes: Thursday 5 November
Marathon: NZ$139
Race: Sunday 18 April 2027

(https://www.christchurchmarathon.co.nz/pricing)

Frankfurt Marathon

Entries are open.

Online through 4 October at the current fee band, then late entry if spots remain.
Race: Sunday 25 October 2026

(https://www.frankfurt-marathon.com/en/yourrun/marathon/startfee/)

Singapore International Marathon

Entries are open.

Closes: Wednesday 30 September, 11:59pm SGT, or earlier if full
International: SGD 208
Race: Sunday 6 December 2026

https://singaporeinternationalmarathon.com

⸻

COMING SOON

Boston Marathon 2027 — 14–18 SEPTEMBER

Qualifier registration opens 14 September.

It isn’t first-come-first-served, and hitting your BQ does not guarantee entry.

For ages 18–34:
Men: 2:55
Women: 3:25

New this cycle: approximately 1,000 random places for qualified runners who miss the final cutoff.

[Official B.A.A. information](https://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/qualify/)

Sydney Marathon 2027 — BALLOT OPENS 29 SEPTEMBER

Sydney’s official Instagram has announced the General Ballot will open 29 September 2026.

The website still only says September.

The ballot is free. Current published entry fee if successful:
Australian: $280
International: $330

[Official sign-up](https://www.tcssydneymarathon.com/sign-up) · [Sydney Marathon Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/sydney_marathon/)

Brisbane Marathon 2027 — WAITLIST

Race day: Sunday 6 June 2027.

Early access isn’t open yet. The current official countdown suggests it’s roughly a week away.

For now, the waitlist is the door, and waitlist members get early access.

https://www.brisbanemarathon.com.au/
⸻

YOU MISSED IT

Tokyo Marathon 2027

General ballot closed Friday 28 August.

Results: Friday 18 September.

If successful, don’t forget the next deadline: payment runs from 18–30 September. Miss it and you lose the place.

International entry: USD $230
Race: Sunday 7 March 2027

[Official participant information](https://www.marathon.tokyo/en/participants/)

Osaka Marathon 2027

General lottery closed Friday 28 August.

Results: Monday 28 September.

[Official entry information](https://www.osaka-marathon.com/2027/runner/entry/admission/)

⸻

ON THE RADAR

Gold Coast Marathon 2027

Race weekend: 3–4 July 2027.

Public entries are expected in early December. The organiser hasn’t published the exact opening date yet.

Nothing to do today. We’ll tell you when that changes.

[Official site](https://goldcoastmarathon.com.au/enter/)

⸻

ONE THING WORTH KNOWING

A qualifying time doesn’t always mean guaranteed entry.

Melbourne, Sydney HPP and Boston can still turn away runners who have met the published standard.

That’s why we’ll distinguish between:

Qualified to apply ≠ guaranteed entry

It’s a small distinction until you’ve run the time and still don’t have a bib.

⸻

FROM SYDNEY

Addisu Gobena won Sydney in 2:04:42, breaking the course record and beating Chimdessa Debele Gudeta by four seconds.

Peres Jepchirchir won the women’s race in 2:18:31, just nine seconds outside Sifan Hassan’s course record.

First Australians: Andrew Buchanan 2:10:14, Ellie Pashley 2:28:28.

And if Sydney 2027 is on your list: remember what you’re signing up for.

It’s a marathon for the city and the star. Not because it’s fast.

⸻

THE DESK’S TAKE

Once races like Gold Coast and Melbourne sell out, bibs inevitably start appearing on Facebook.

So do the scammers.

Our rule is simple:

Official transfer portal? We’ll tell you about it.

Facebook bib, mate’s spare or WhatsApp deal? It doesn’t exist as far as The Running Desk is concerned.

If the official door is shut, the door is shut.

⸻

If this saved you from missing an entry, send it to one runner who’s always finding out about these things three days too late.

Marty
The Running Desk

The Running Desk
Which Marathon and half marathon doors are still open this week, with official link.
By Marty

Thanks for reading The Running Desk! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

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