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.
The Canberra Runners Half Marathon will be returning 21 May 2023, following the paths around the west basin of Lake Burley Griffin on beautiful Ngunnawal land. Starting and finishing at Lennox Gardens the undulating course 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!
Participants must be 16 years of age on or before 21/05/2023. Events for children will be held in and around Lennox gardens in the morning.
Canberra Runners is very excited to announce the return of our ever-popular training programs.
Get Running 2023 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 on 16 April 2023. Starting on Sunday 19 February 2023 this group will train three mornings a week: Tuesday and Thursday (6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.) and Sunday (from 7:30 a.m.) Get Running’s training base will be on the corner of cnr King Edward Terrace and Parkes Place West in the Parliamentary Triangle. The cost of the program is $80 for Canberra Runners members and $145 for non-members. For more information and registrations see here or contact Barb.
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 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.
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.
