Melbourne Cup duration: about 3 minutes 20 seconds for the 3200-metre race, assuming track conditions are good to dead. The official distance is 3,200 metres, and the race typically finishes around the 3:20 mark, with historical records around 3:16–3:17 for the fastest times. Details to note:
- Distance: 3,200 metres (approximately 2 miles) at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne.
- Typical race time: around 3 minutes 20 seconds for the winner on good ground.
- Historical context: the race was originally run over two miles before metric conversion in 1972, which set the distance at 3,200 metres. Kingston Rule set the time record at about 3:16.3 in 1990 (adjusted from earlier miles times). These points illustrate the approximate duration range for the event.
