Australian Running Festival

Last year almost 6000 took part in the full range of events. The Ultra Marathon acts as Australia’s selection race for the World Ultra Marathon Championships in Doha in December.

All five courses are single laps to best explore the beautiful Canberra lakeside and surrounds. The 5km and 10km fun runs are held on the Saturday with both courses beginning in the National Rose Gardens and making their way along Lake Burley Griffin and through the Parliamentary Triangle before finishing near the Old Parliament House.

The Marathon and Half Marathon courses start at the Old Parliament House and skirt the scenic lakeshore before the Marathon runners head out to the National Zoo and Aquarium and cross the Schivener Dam before running through the scenic suburb of Yarralumla. All three long distance courses merge together at the finish in the National Rose Gardens. The Half Marathon follows the Marathon course but turns back to recross the lake via Commonwealth Avenue.

Canberra, the national capital, offers many sights for those visiting including the Australian War Memorial, the National Gallery of Australia and the National Portrait Gallery which showcases Australia’s identity, history and culture through portraiture. Outdoor sights include the Australian National Botanic Gardens, the Mount Majura Vineyard and Mount Ainsle Lookout.

One of Canberra’s most popular attractions is Questacon, a giant building filled with entertaining activities exploring science and technology that both adults and children will enjoy. The National Zoo and Aquarium offers an intimate view of a wide variety of Australia’s exotic native animals, On 3 April, just before the 2016 race, the Auto Italia Canberra event showcases the latest Italian cars, motorbikes and scooters.

www.runningfestival.com.au