Emotional Melbourne Marathon.

RUNLY NEWSLETTER #131
Thurs Oct 16th 2025

After an incredibly full-on 8 days, I'm finally back in the studio and reflecting on what was an amazing event.

You know, we've now activated at what many consider the 'big 3' marathons on Australian soil - Gold Coast, Sydney & Melbourne.

And I have to tell you, the Melbourne Marathon is one of the most unique races on the calendar.

It's the festival-like atmosphere. It's a real experience - before the race has even begun.

And of course, I am bias, given that it is our hometown race.

From the get-go, it was crazy.

We setup on the Wednesday, which as always, takes a lot longer than you think it will.

It was then four days of absolute mayhem.

It was our biggest event yet on every front.

More people, more chats, more product, bigger space, more staff & more activation.

Across Thursday, Friday & Saturday we gave away more than 1,000 pairs of socks.

It was pure madness. I loved it.

Along came the Sunday - race day.

Obviously, the most important day in the Melbourne Marathon festival.

There's something in the air on race day, you feed off it.

The energy is incredible.

Dan, who many of you may will have met at Gold Coast, Sydney or Melbourne, was running.

And I had to step inside the 'G to see him cross the line and support him.

As I wandered in, I couldn't help but feel all of the emotions. Seeing families tracking and cheering on their loved ones entering the MCG.

I waited there for about 10 minutes before Dan rolled in.

I watched him absolutely carry-on for his lap around the MCG, waving his arms around and pumping the crowd.

It was entertaining, but I also was a bit emotional.

Not just for Dan, even though I knew how much work and training he had put in, but for everyone else.

And selfishly, for myself.

I've been injured for the last 18 months, with a chronic knee injury.

Each event we've attended has been somewhat painful for me, watching thousands of runners cross the line and have that feeling that I so badly want to have once again.

My injury has no easy fix, in fact, my surgeon has said to me in no uncertain terms - 'you probably won't run again'.

But I can assure you, I won't stop trying to have that finish line moment once again.

Whether it's next year, or in ten years.

To everyone that ran, I hope it was everything you imagined it would be. There are now 50,000 new stories to be told.

To everyone that stopped by and said hello, you made my day.

Let's do it all again next year.

Run well,
Robbie.