Mayor's Message - Thursday 14 July

Ballarat loves its sport. On any given weekend you don’t have to look too far to see our footy ovals, netball courts, hockey fields, soccer pitches, lake and walking trails full of people enjoying their recreational interests. From rugby to croquet, from frisbees to fly fishing, there is something for everyone whether a serious competitor or just your own backyard legend.  

This April Ballarat was named host city for athletics at the 2026 Commonwealth Games with most events to be held at Mars Stadium. Traditionally the Commonwealth Games marathon, including the men’s and women’s wheelchair categories, is contested in the same location as the other athletics events. Whilst this has not yet been confirmed, the City of Ballarat is making sure we stake our claim to the marathon events, and showcase just why we would be a perfect choice, to the Victorian Government, the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, Commonwealth Games Australia and Athletics Australia. 

To highlight some of the clear advantages our city presents I recently joined 2006 Commonwealth Games marathon runner and Ballarat resident Shane Nankervis, emerging Ballarat runner Gretta Ashley and City of Ballarat Chief Executive Officer Evan King in a video to be sent to the organisers. 

The Commonwealth Games marathon is an event that has considerable airtime, is broadcast across the world to an audience in their millions and would feature our stunning heritage street scapes,  beautiful parks and gardens and sparkling Lake Wendouree, it would make for exceptional television, all ending in the roar of a 30,000 strong Mars Stadium crowd to spur runners to the line.  

Some forty years ago Steve Moneghetti began training on the same Ballarat streets we hope will host the marathon events in 2026. That is an exciting prospect and one that would create incredible exposure and economic return for Ballarat.  

We believe our city is the perfect venue for this pinnacle event and I am confident our initiative will help get us across the line. If you haven’t seen the video yet, jump on our website ballarat.vic.gov.au. 

Mayor

Daniel Moloney