Melbourne Marathon runners "will be unable to finish with the customary lap" of the Melbourne Cricket Ground "due to a major resurfacing project at the country's most famous sports venue," according to Deborah Gough of THE AGE.
Australian Football League side Hawthorn fans "hoping to snap up a square of the hallowed turf after the Hawks' grand final win, will also be disappointed." The turf "will be recycled as a topsoil product by an undisclosed contractor." A Melbourne Cricket Club spokesperson said that "the short time frame prevented the turf being carefully carved up for sale."
Almost 20,000 square meters of turf will be replaced in the A$1.7M ($1.5M) resurfacing program. The MCC described the program "as the most extensive since the ground hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2006." Ten portable pitches "will be placed in the centre of the ground -- covering most of the centre square." The ground "will not be ready for October 12 when the Melbourne Marathon will run," however MCG staff has "assured cricket fans the Sheffield Shield cricket season opener will be played at the MCG on October 31" (THE AGE, 9/29).