Run Loud, Melbourne: Shokz at the 2026 Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival

Melbourne turned up the volume for an unforgettable week of running, racing and community at the 2026 Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival.

As the Official Headphone Partner of Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival, Shokz brought its open-ear experience to the heart of race week — from shakeout runs with local running communities to the Runners Expo and race day itself. With Shokz Ambassador Eliud Kipchoge chasing a course record, thousands of runners chasing personal goals and plenty of cowbells ringing along the way, Melbourne had one clear message: Run Loud, Melbourne.

Race Day Highlights from Eliud Kipchoge and Lucy Bartholomew

At 41, Shokz AmbassadorEliud Kipchogedelivered another unforgettable performance in Melbourne, winning the 2026 Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival in 2:09:10 and setting a new course record. The race marked the third stop of Eliud’s Running World, his two-year journey to run a marathon on all seven continents, with Melbourne serving as his Oceania stop. Another legendary performance from the Shokz Ambassador — and another powerful reminder that No Human Is Limited.

For Shokz Athlete Lucy Bartholomew, the marathon was a special chance to race through her home city. Moving from the trails to the streets of Melbourne, Lucy completed the race in 2:43:37. After a long season of mountain running, she brought her strength, curiosity and love for the sport to race day, taking in every cheer along the way.

Getting Melbourne Moving Together

Race week got moving with three Shokz shakeout runs alongside Melbourne’s running community LilBig Run Club, On and Nobody Run Club. 

Runners came together for relaxed pre-race miles and the chance to try four different Shokz models and find the right fit for their own way of moving. The $319 OpenRun Pro 2 Kipchoge Co-branded Edition and $379 OpenSwim Pro are built for sport, while the $339 OpenDots 2 and $399 OpenFit Pro are part of the lifestyle range — though all four can easily fit into an active routine. Whether on the road, at the pool or moving through the day, there was a Shokz option for every kind of runner.

The Race-Week Buzz at the Runners Expo

The race-week buzz carried through to the Shokz booth at the Runners Expo. Runners could explore and try the range, personalise their headphones with on-site laser engraving, and grab a free Shokz cowbell to help cheer runners on around the course.

The standout favourite was the OpenRun Pro 2 Kipchoge Co-branded Edition, which proved especially popular with runners after Eliud Kipchoge took on the marathon himself this year. A fitting choice for anyone looking to take a little piece of his Melbourne race-week energy home.

Stay Open to Every Moment with Shokz

From first-time runners to experienced marathoners, members of Shokz Team put different open-ear headphones to the test throughout race week. Here’s what Mi, Chris and Charlotte had to say about their experience:

"I loved the balance between enjoying my music while still being able to hear the crowds and everything around me. They were super comfy too — I barely noticed I was wearing them, and they never felt like they would fall out!"

— @Mi with $339 OpenDots 2

"I LOVE THEM! They have changed the way I view my running. I used to only run on a treadmill because I was a bit worried about running with headphones outdoors. Now, it’s Shokz on, run on."

— @Chris with $319 OpenRun Pro 2 Kipchoge Co-branded Edition

"I was a little sceptical that they would move around, but they didn’t move at all. They were comfortable, had plenty of charge to last the marathon and beyond, and I was really impressed by them!"

— @Charlotte with $399 OpenFit Pro

FAQs: Nike Melbourne Marathon 2026 & Shokz