Capital territory for distance running

With a premium course which leads runners past Canberra’s most iconic landmarks, the city views are more than just a backdrop. Completely on-road and one of few races to run past Old Parliament House, The Canberra Times Marathon is a memorable experience for participants. 

Striking scenery of Lake Burnley Griffin, the Parliamentary Triangle and the Telstra Tower inspires runners to perform to their best while they soak up the beauty of the city. 

What was once spread over two days is now an action-packed one-day event with a three-day expo leading up to race day. At the bustling event village you can bask in the excitement with the Canberra running community. Apart from the Marathon there are race distances of Half Marathon, 10km, 5km and the kids 2km – races for the whole family.

Many runners use this event to achieve a qualifying time for the World Majors. The Canberra Times Marathon is an Abbott World Marathon Majors Age Group World Rankings qualifying race, meaning that for those 40 and older it’s an opportunity to attain a worldwide ranking. 

There are many factors which make The Canberra Times Marathon Festival an ideal opportunity to achieve a personal best. These include an undulating course with an elevation of 380m which is well-supported with pacers for the marathon, half marathon and 10km race, and perfect running conditions with temperatures averaging 20–25ºC. Winners will be awarded prize money and winners of each age group will receive a medal. In the 2024 race all marathon finishers will be given a celebratory t-shirt to take home as a memento of a great achievement and a special day.

The Canberra Times Marathon Festival has a successful ongoing partnership with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). Thanks to this partnership participants and spectators have access to the Canberra Times Marathon Festival App. The app includes live tracking so spectators can follow the progress of their friends and family and know where to be to cheer them along. Interactive maps and event information answer all questions to make for a smooth experience. When participants have finished they can check the app for their final results and share them with pride. App users can use the app’s fun selfie filters to capture the excitement of this memorable day. 

Contributing to the electric atmosphere the three-day exhibition brims with entertainment and merchandise from exhibitors. It’s ideal for travellers to buy running gear and for all participants to soak up the vibes before and on race day. Attracting runners from all over the country, The Canberra Times Marathon captures the spirit of togetherness and inclusion.

In 2023 an impressive 1600 marathon runners, 2700 half marathon runners, 1900 10km runners, 980 5km runners and 277 2km kids brought high energy, perseverance and realised an incredible fundraising effort. The running community surpassed its goal by raising AUD160,000 (95,400 EUR) for a plethora of local and international charities, making a lasting difference to the lives of those in need.

Don’t miss the opportunity to be a part of such a spectacular event in Australia’s capital city.