CONQUER CANBERRA’S ULTIMATE RUNNING WEEKEND
On Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th April, the nation’s capital will once again play host to
Australia’s most historic running event. The Australian Running Festival presented by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is one of the most iconic running events in the calendar and has a distance for everyone; a 5km, 10km, Half Marathon, The Canberra Times Marathon and the 50km Ultra Marathon. The festival celebrates a full weekend of healthy lifestyles, fitness and fun across five scenic courses that showcase the best of the nation’s capital.
With over 6,500 runners converging on Canberra for the weekend, the festival kicks off
with the 5km and 10km fun runs on Saturday 14th. Whether you are a returning runner
looking to better your time or a runner just looking to get out there and have some fun
with friends, these fun runs are the perfect way to get involved and participate in the
captivating experience that is the Australian Running Festival.
For the serious runner, The Half Marathon, The Canberra Times Marathon and the 50km
Ultra Marathon will take place on Sunday 15th April. The courses take runners on a
picturesque route following the parliamentary triangle, along the banks of Lake Burley
Griffin, and finishing on the East West lawns. This year sees a course enhancement for
the Half and Ultra Marathons as well as the iconic Canberra Times Marathon, featuring
fewer hills and a more pleasant course for runners.
Entrant’s who sign up before January 17 will save $20 off standard registration fees, and
will also gain access to an interactive race day app, thanks to the events new presenting
and technology partner TCS. Also, anytime leading up to the event, entrants will be able
to take advantage of special Family Packages for 5km and 10km events – two adults
and a child is free or two children and an adult is free.
This year the Australian Running Festival has a total prize pool of almost $20,000. With
the winners of The Canberra Times Marathon Men’s and Women’s taking home $3,000
each and the winners of the Half Marathon and Ultra Marathon Men’s and Women’s
$1,000 each. Also, winners of the 5km and 10km fun runs won’t be going home empty
handed either, winning $500 each.
Run for a cause this year and to help reach the event fundraising goal of $250,000 for a
wide range of worthy local, community and worldwide causes – more details can be
found at the event website.
Across the whole weekend, runners and their loyal fans alike can expect an immersive
event village experience. The West Lawns will host an entertainment stage, event expo,
elite athlete district, and a little runners’ zone fitted out with a plethora of kids’ activities to
ensure a weekend of fun for the whole family. And if that’s not enough, this year the
village will have a special livesite, broadcasting all the action of The 2018
Commonwealth Games, live from the Gold Coast. The Commonwealth Games Marathon
is scheduled to take place on Sunday 15th, giving spectators the unique opportunity to
watch the best long distance runners in Australia compete in person and also watch the
best marathon runners in the Commonwealth compete live on the big screen.
This year we welcome TCS coming on board as the Australian Running Festival
presenting and official technology partner. TCS have a history with partnering with many
of the world’s biggest running events, including the TCS New York City Marathon, TCS
Amsterdam Marathon, London Marathon, Boston Marathon, Singapore Marathon and
numerous other races.
Girish Ramachandran, President, TCS Asia Pacific said: “We are delighted to partner
with Fairfax on these marque running events and look forward to bringing TCS’ global
running sponsorship and technology experience and capabilities to Australia. Beginning
in April 2018, TCS is excited to have the opportunity to help further develop the
Australian Running Festival in Canberra into one of the premier running events in
Australia.
Registrations are open for a weekend away with the whole family at the Australian
Running Festival. Visit www.runningfestival.com.au
KEY DATES
Wed 22 November – Tues 16 January: Early Bird Entry (save $20)
Wed 17 January – Tues 27 March: Standard Entry (Save $10)
Wed 28 March – Friday 13 April: Late Entry
EVENT
Saturday 14 April: Australian Running Festival (Day 1) – 5km and 10km
Sunday 15 April: Australian Running Festival (Day 2) – Half Marathon,
Full Marathon, 50km Ultra Marathon
Join the conversation at @austrunningfest, #australianrunningfestival