Brisbane Marathon Festival 2026 Results: Mori and Bartholomew Take Marathon Titles in Brisbane

The 2026 Brisbane Marathon Festival delivered a fantastic day of running across multiple distances on Sunday, 7 June, with thousands of runners taking to the streets of Queensland’s capital. Japan’s Takaki Mori won the men’s marathon in 2:21:05 in the masters age group, while Australian ultramarathon star Lucy Bartholomew took the women’s marathon title in 2:47:06. The festival also featured a high-quality half marathon, a fast 10K, plus 5K and kids’ races — making it one of Australia’s most complete running weekends.

Marathon: Japanese Sweep at the Front

The men’s marathon produced a Japanese clean sweep of the podium. Takaki Mori — competing in the 45-49 age group — led the field home in 2:21:05, an outstanding performance for a masters runner. Compatriot Kei Tsuboi (25-29 category) was second in 2:25:04, with Yoshiki Nagano completing the all-Japanese podium in 2:25:21.

In the women’s marathon, Australian ultra-running legend Lucy Bartholomew showed her remarkable versatility by taking the title in 2:47:06. Bartholomew, best known for her exploits at races like Western States and UTMB, demonstrated that her road speed matches her trail prowess. Melanie Magarey held on for second in 2:48:29, with Japan’s Haruki Ogasawara completing the podium in 2:53:58.

Marathon — Men’s Podium

Marathon — Women’s Podium

Half Marathon: Asher Wins Tight Men’s Race, Fien Dominates Women’s

The half marathon produced one of the day’s closest finishes. Sebastian Asher held on by just 12 seconds in the men’s race, crossing the line in 1:07:43. Japan’s Saeki Makino — competing in the 35-39 category — was second in 1:07:55, with Kieren Perkins completing the podium in 1:08:56.

The women’s half marathon was a more decisive affair, with Australian distance veteran Cassie Fien (40-44) running away with the title in 1:15:26. Czech-Australian triathlete and runner Radka Kahlefeldt — also in the 40-44 category — took second in 1:16:55, with young talent Zoe Manning (21-24) completing the podium in 1:18:57. Fien’s win was a remarkable masters performance, beating a competitive field by nearly 90 seconds.

Half Marathon — Men’s Podium

Half Marathon — Women’s Podium

10K: Cutter Edges Hickey in Sprint Finish, Walker Stars in Women’s Race

The 10K produced one of the closest finishes of the festival — Dezmond Cutter holding off Rohan Hickey by just six seconds in a thrilling battle. Cutter took the title in 30:13, with Hickey just behind in 30:19. Jack Salcedo completed an all sub-31 minute podium in 30:33.

The women’s 10K provided one of the standout performances of the day, with young Australian Kobi Walker — running in the U20 category — taking the title with a stunning 33:47. Walker’s time was nearly 90 seconds clear of second place and signals the arrival of a major young talent in Australian distance running. Rhiannon Northcott was second in 35:23, with Madi Roberts third in 36:38.

10K — Men’s Podium

10K — Women’s Podium

The Course: Running Through Queensland’s Capital

The Brisbane Marathon Festival takes runners on a scenic journey through one of Australia’s most liveable cities. The course features Brisbane’s iconic riverside paths along the Brisbane River, with views of the South Bank, the Story Bridge, the Kangaroo Point Cliffs, and the city’s skyline. Mostly flat with just a few gentle undulations, the route is well-suited to fast times and personal bests.

Held in early June — Australia’s winter — the festival enjoys some of the best racing weather of the country’s calendar. Cool, dry mornings provide ideal conditions, a welcome contrast to the heat of the Australian summer that limits running in much of the country.

The festival’s multi-distance format — marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K, and kids’ races — makes it accessible to runners of all abilities, building a true community celebration of running in Queensland’s capital.

Strong Japanese Presence in Brisbane

One of the standout features of the 2026 Brisbane Marathon Festival was the strong international presence — particularly from Japan. Japanese runners filled all three podium positions in the men’s marathon and took podium spots in the women’s marathon and men’s half marathon. Brisbane has clearly established itself as a popular destination event for Japanese runners, drawn by the cool June conditions, the well-organised festival, and the chance to race in one of Australia’s most welcoming cities.

Mori’s 2:21:05 in the 45-49 age group was the standout international performance of the day — a remarkable masters result that would be competitive in many open marathon fields around the world.

Australian Stars Shine

Lucy Bartholomew’s women’s marathon victory was a highlight for Australian running. Best known as one of the country’s top ultramarathon runners — with multiple Western States 100 podiums and a strong UTMB record — Bartholomew’s 2:47:06 over the classic marathon distance shows her remarkable range and continued evolution as an athlete.

Cassie Fien’s commanding half marathon win further demonstrated the depth of Australian women’s running, while young Kobi Walker’s U20 10K victory in 33:47 — well clear of the field — points to bright future for Australian distance running. With the LA28 Olympics on the horizon, performances like these from emerging talent are particularly encouraging.

Key Takeaways from Brisbane Marathon Festival 2026

• Mori’s masters magic: Takaki Mori’s 2:21:05 in the 45-49 age group was the standout performance of the day — a world-class masters time and emphatic margin of victory.
• Bartholomew’s range: Australian ultra star Lucy Bartholomew won the women’s marathon in 2:47:06, demonstrating her ability to perform across distances from 42K all the way up to 100 miles.
• Japanese sweep: Japan took all three men’s marathon podium spots and added a women’s marathon podium — confirming Brisbane’s status as a favourite destination event for Japanese runners.
• Walker’s U20 brilliance: Kobi Walker’s 33:47 10K victory — nearly 90 seconds clear in the U20 category — marks the emergence of an exciting young Australian distance talent.
• Fien dominates half: Cassie Fien’s 1:15:26 in the 40-44 category was a class masters performance, beating the half marathon field by nearly 90 seconds.
• Tight finishes: The men’s half marathon (12-second margin) and men’s 10K (6-second margin) both produced thrilling close finishes, making for a memorable day across the multi-distance festival.

Full official results for all distances are available on the Brisbane Marathon Festival official site.