Welcome to Canberra Runners
Canberra Runners (formerly YMCA Canberra Runners Club) is Canberra’s largest running organisation and offers events and activities for runners of all ages and abilities. At Canberra Runners we aim:
- To encourage and promote the sport of running in the Canberra region.
- To conduct a range of running activities, events, and training.
- To promote active lifestyles by encouraging broad participation in social and competitive running activities in an inclusive and supportive manner.
Canberra Runners holds over 90 races each year ranging from 1.6 km to half marathons and a 100 km multi-stage event. Our headline events include Capital to Coast, the Canberra Half Marathon, and the Thredbo Fun and Fitness Week. We also offer training programs for beginner runners looking to run their first 5 kms, through to runners wanting to step up to a half marathon.
If you’re just looking for someone to run with Canberra Runners also offers group runs with the TTS group meeting on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings, and Sunday Runners on Sunday mornings.
2023 Canberra Runners Half Marathon
We Run CBR: The Canberra Runners are proud to host the 2023 Canberra Runners Half Marathon
The Canberra Runners Half Marathon will be held late Autumn (21 May 2023), following the paths around the west basin of Lake Burley Griffin on beautiful Ngunnawal land. The course is undulating and offers views of Australia’s national landmarks including Government House, Parliament House and the National Museum. You will run a path less travelled, through a spectacular cork plantation, eucalypt and pine forests and close to exotic animals at the Canberra Zoo and Aquarium. You really will Run Cbr!
The race starts and finishes in Lennox Gardens which is easily accessed via public transport or car. Cut-off for completion of the event is 3 hours 30 minutes.
Registration: The Canberra Runners Half Marathon is one of the most beautiful and affordable half marathons in Australia. Early bird entry fees are $50 for members of Canberra Runners and ACTMA and $75 for non-members. After 31 March entry fees will be $65 for members and $89 for non‑members.
Entries close at 7pm on 19 May. Late entries will not be accepted.
Participants must be 16 years of age on or before 21/05/2023 to register for the Canberra Runners Half Marathon. Non-registered persons will not be permitted to participate. This includes children in prams. Events for children will be held in and around Lennox gardens in the morning. This page will be updated with details and further information will follow on Facebook and Instagram.
As much as we love our pooches, all animals are strictly prohibited from entering any part of the course at any time. However, we welcome dogs on leads in the race village.
Medals: Finisher’s medals can be purchased with your registration for $7 and can be collected immediately after the race. The Canberra Runners are conscious of the need not to produce additional environmental waste in the form of unwanted medals. As a result, entry fees have been kept low but we have introduced this nominal fee to ensure that medals are only provided to competitors who want one.
Drink Stations and Recovery Area: Hydration on the course is sponsored by Fixx Nutrition. Fixx Nutrition Fuel X in the Tropical Fruits flavour will be available at aid stations and the recovery area. Water will also be available. Fuel X contains electrolytes and carbohydrates. If you plan to use the product on race day, it is recommended that you train with it beforehand. For more tips on how to train with Fixx Nutrition, please go to https://fixxnutrition.com/running-nutrition/
Race Day: Canberra Runners Half Marathon starts at 8am on Sunday 21 May.
Prizes and medals: will be awarded to the first three males and females.
Race Bibs: may be collected on the Saturday afternoon (20 May) between 1pm and 3pm (preferred) or from 7-7:40am on Sunday morning (21 May) in the race village.
Further details about the event will be emailed to entrants prior to the day.
Please consider joining Canberra Runners, Canberra’s largest running organisation, welcoming participation for all ages and abilities with early bird rates (by 28 February 2023) of $65 per year for individuals, $95 for families (residing at the same address) and $30 for under 18 years, and with standard rates of $85, $125, and $40, respectively. Canberra Runners is an inclusive and social organisation offering running events and training groups for all ages and abilities at various locations around Canberra. Members receive discounted entry to all Canberra Runners events.
For more information on the Canberra Runners Half Marathon, please email half@canberrarunners.org.au or follow us on Facebook or Instagram.
Thank you to the following Canberra Runners Half Marathon sponsors:
Refunds: Withdrawals prior to midnight 1 May 2023 will receive a refund of 50% of their entry fee. Subsequent withdrawals will forfeit 100% of their entry fee.
Cancellation: In the event of cancellation of the Canberra Runners Half Marathon, you will be provided with the option to carry over registration to the following year or be refunded, minus 30% entry fee to cover sunk costs. Due to the approval and logistics, if the event is unable to take place on the scheduled weekend, there is no provision for the event to be postponed.
Training programs for 2023
Canberra Runners is very excited to announce the return of our ever-popular training programs.
Step Up to Half is Canberra Runners’ Half Marathon Training Program designed to help you finish the Canberra Runners Half Marathon on 21 May 2023 with a smile on your face. Starting on Saturday 25 February 2023 this group will train three mornings a week: Tuesday and Thursday (6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.) and Saturday (from 7:00 a.m.) for 12 weeks with the training base to be confirmed (in the vicinity of Lake Burley Griffin). The cost of the program is $100 for Canberra Runners members and $165 for non-members. Registrations are now open. For more information contact George.
Membership
Membership of Canberra Runners is open to all. Membership categories include adult members, junior members (open to persons under 18 years of age on 1 January 2023), family members, and volunteer members. All members must agree to uphold the objects of Canberra Runners and comply with the requirements of the Association’s Constitution and By-Laws.
The membership year is from 1 January to 31 December and membership provides free entry to all Canberra Runners activities except the Half Marathon, Capital to Coast, Thredbo Fun and Fitness Week, and Training Programs. Members receive discounted entry for these activities.
Canberra Runners also regularly offer members discounts to events such as the Canberra Times Fun Run, the Canberra Marathon Festival, etc.
Canberra Runners is supported by The Runners Shop Canberra where members receive 5% off any sale items and 10% off other items.
Everyone attending a Canberra Runners activity including TTS and Sunday Runners must be a current member of Canberra Runners. Membership is not expensive, and funds raised through membership allow us to continue to offer our great range of events and activities.
Membership pricing is detailed below and signing up is available here. Membership fees are not refundable and memberships are not transferable.
| Membership type | Early bird (to 28 Feb 2023) | Price (from 1 Mar 2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Adults | $65 | $85 |
| Child (Under 18 years on 1 January 2022) | $30 | $40 |
| Family (Family members residing at the same address) | $95 | $125 |
| Volunteer | Free | Free |
Events
Canberra Runners has several flagship events run each year:
- Capital to Coast – a two-day staged trail race run between Canberra and the South Coast in August. More information is available at https://www.capitaltocoast.com.au/
- Canberra Half Marathon – The Canberra Runners Half Marathon is held in May each year. The race starts and finishes in Lennox Gardens and follows a beautiful undulating course around West Basin. Information about the 2023 event can be found here. Canberra Runners Half Marathon 2022 results can be found here or here.
- Thredbo Fun and Fitness Week – is a fantastic summer holiday option for families and friends. Held within the Thredbo Alpine Village in Kosciuszko National Park in January each year the program of events runs over 8 days with something for everyone. Register for the 2023 event here.
More information will be available on the new web site in due course.
Club races
Canberra Runners hosts a series of races throughout the year. Participation is free for members. Non-members are welcome and entry is $15 for adults and $5 for runners aged under 18 years.
- Summer Series – consists of eight events, each including a 2 km race and a 5 km race. Summer series events are held on Tuesday evenings at 6:15 pm between January and March.
- Winter Series – events are held on Saturdays from late April until late September. Distances range from 1.5 k up to half marathon and there are events on bike paths, cross country and dirt roads.
- Spring Series – are held on Tuesday evenings for 5 weeks commencing on the first Tuesday in November. Each event includes a short and a longer event. The final event in the Spring Series is the Christmas Relays, a low-key, fun event where teams of 6 runners compete over 12 kms.
- Jogalong – is held on the first Sunday of every month in Weston Park. There is a 6 km event for women* and girls, a 3 km event for women* and girls and boys aged 12 years and under, and a 2 km minijog for boys and girls aged 12 years and under. Children aged under 6 years must be accompanied by a responsible adult. All events are run on dirt tracks and bike paths. Jogalong is free to members. Non-members are welcome and entry is $15 for adults and $5 aged under 18 years. Jogalong events are all about participation and enjoyment. They are designed to encourage women* and girls to get out and get active by providing a physical challenge in a friendly and social environment.
Jogalong newsletter (pdf): Jogalong Jottings January to February 2023, Jogalong Jottings July to December 2022, Jogalong Jottings June, July and August 2021, Jogalong Jottings November and December 2021, Jogalong Jottings January February and March 2022, Jogalong April May June 2022.
*including non binary and gender diverse people who may normally include themselves in women's events.
| Date | Event name | Start time | Distance(s) | Start address |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue 28 Feb 2023 | Summer Series | 6:15 pm | 5/2 km | Weston Park |
| Sun 5 Mar 2023 | Jogalong | 8:00 am | 6/3/2 km | Weston Park |
| Tue 7 Mar 2023 | Summer Series | 6:15 pm | 5/2 km | Barrenjoey (off Lady Denman Drive) |
| Tue 14 Mar 2023 | Summer Series | 6:15 pm | 5/2 km | Boat House East (Menindee Dr Parkes) |
| Tue 21 Mar 2023 | Summer Series | 6:15 pm | 5/1.7 km | Black Mountain Peninsula (John Cardiff Close Acton) |
| Tue 28 Mar 2023 | Summer Series | 6:15 pm | 5/2 km | Stromlo Forest Park |
| Sun 2 Apr 2023 | Jogalong | 8:00 am | 6/3/2 km | Weston Park |
Group runs
Group Runs occur all year round and are free to members. Our group runs cater for runners of all ages and abilities, although runners aged under 18 years should be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
- TTS – meets for group runs from 6:30 am to 7:30 am on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at Lennox Gardens, Flynn Drive in Yarralumla and from 7:00 am to ~ 8:30 am on Saturdays at varying locations around Canberra. Generally, there will be a group breakfast at a local coffee shop after the Saturday run. For more information on TTS runs contact us here or sign up for the TTS newsletter here.
- Sunday Runners – meets 7:30 am on Sunday mornings at varying locations around Canberra for a 60 minute out and back run followed by a group breakfast after. For more information on Sunday Runners join the Sunday Runners Facebook Group or contact us here. You can also sign up for the Sunday Runners newsletter here.
Training programs
Canberra Runners offers structured training programs which cater for beginner runners through to more experienced runners wanting to increase their distance or pace. Each program is delivered by Training Program Coordinators, volunteer members with Level 1 Run Leader (or above) accreditation through Athletics Australia, with assistance from volunteer members of Canberra Runners.
Each program is designed to all allow participants to develop fitness and running strength in a fun and supportive environment. Programs are priced individually with a discount offered to current members.
Our current programs are:
- Get Running is Canberra Runners' 8-week training program designed to help you reach your running goals and finish the 5.4km or 10km fun run at the Canberra Times Marathon Festival. This program starts in February each year.
- Step Up to Half is Canberra Runners’ Half Marathon Training Program designed to help you reach your running goals and finish the Canberra Runners Half Marathon in May with a smile on your face. This program starts in February each year.
- Canberra Times Fun Run Training Program prepares runners for the 5 and 10 km Canberra Times Fun Runs.
Contact us
Canberra Runners Incorporated
ABN: 38 900 275 937
Postal Address: PO Box 173 Gungahlin ACT 2912
Email us here.
Connect with us on Facebook here.
Canberra Runners Incident Report Form: https://forms.office.com/r/W98aGirs24. Note: Requires a Canberra Runners Microsoft 365 account.