Public transport for Run for the Kids: Sunday 6 April 2025

Events > Culture

The Herald Sun/Transurban Run for the Kids (R4K) will be held again on Sunday 6 April 2025. The course takes in many of Melbourne’s iconic landmarks, buildings, and locations. Both the long and short courses will travel across the Bolte Bridge, and the long course entrants will once again return to the Domain Tunnel.

Participants can take part in the following running events, commencing at:

7:45am for the 14.4km Long Course
9:30am for the 4.7km Short Course

There will be disruptions across the public transport and road network. Check for public transport and road disruptions before you go!

Please allow extra time travelling to and from Southern Cross. Event goers are advised to disembark at Southern Cross and make their way on foot towards the start line on Footscray Road.

Please visit the Run For The Kids website for further event information.

Before you travel

Plan your journey using Journey planner. Check Disruptions for service changes that may affect your journey.

Road closures

There will be road closures in and around Docklands, the CBD and Southbank from 1.30am until 2.30pm Sunday 6 April.

The Bolte Bridge will be closed southbound from 5:00am to 1:00pm.

The Monash Freeway inbound will be closed at the Domain Tunnel. This will be supported with on ramp closures at Gibdon Street, Toorak Road, and Burke Road from 5:00am to 12:00pm.

The West Gate Freeway will have lane closures in place during this time with the Montague Street and Kings Way eastbound exits closed to all traffic between 7am and 12:00pm.

These closures along with several other local and arterial road closures will be in place to ensure the safety of both event participants and road users.

Metropolitan train

Please note there will be bus replacements running between:

Werribee / Williamstown passengers are advised to change at Newport for a bus to North Melbourne, then board any train (Craigieburn or Upfield line) to Southern Cross.

Sunbury passengers are to change at Sunshine for a bus to North Melbourne, then board any train (Craigieburn or Upfield line) to Southern Cross.

Glen Waverley passengers are to change at Burnley for a Lilydale or Belgrave line train to Southern Cross.

Pakenham / Cranbourne passengers are to change at Caulfield for a Frankston line train to Southern Cross.

Extra train services on Sunday 6 April:

To Southern Cross station, from:

Mernda – leaving at 6.17am and 8.06am
Eltham – leaving at 6.29am and 8.10am
Lilydale – leaving at 6.12am and 8.11am
Belgrave – leaving at 5.58am and 8.02am
Ringwood – leaving at 6.29am and 8.27am
Alamein – leaving at 6.39am and 8.37am
Camberwell – leaving at 6.55am and 8.53am
Frankston – leaving at 6.04am
Sandringham – leaving at 6.37am and 8.31am
Craigieburn – leaving at 6.26am and 8.07am
Upfield – leaving at 6.52am and 8.19am

There may also be useful ordinary Sunday morning services. Plan your journey using Journey Planner.

Metropolitan tram

Getting to Southern Cross

Due to road closures for Run for the Kids, there will be service changes on the metropolitan tram network. Customers may wish to consider transferring onto a train at the earliest opportunity including the city loop to reach Southern Cross.

Customers can catch the tram routes 30a & 86a to get to Southern Cross however are advised to allow extra time and plan their journey using Journey Planner to ensure that they arrive on time for this event.

Metropolitan bus

Getting to and from Southern Cross

Due to road closures for Run for the Kids, there will be service changes on the metropolitan bus network and the following routes will be affected from first service until 2.30pm: route 216, 220, 232, 234, 235. Route 605 will be affected from first service until 1.00pm.

Shuttle bus services will operate on route 216 and 220, between Footscray Plaza Shopping Centre and the city, to cover affected bus stops.

Customers can catch the following bus routes close to Southern Cross however are advised to plan their journey using Journey Planner to ensure that they arrive on time for this event.

Route 232 (Altona North to City)
Route 235 (Fishermans Bend to City)
Route 302 (Box Hill to City)
Route 304 (Doncaster SC to City)
Route 905 (The Pines SC to City)
Route 906 (Warrandyte to City)
Route 907 (Mitcham to City

Regional train

Getting to and from Southern Cross

Normal timetable trains will operate to and from Southern Cross Station.

Please note there will be coach replacements running between Southern Cross and Warrnambool.

Plan your journey using Journey Planner.