The Canberra Times Marathon Festival is the oldest city marathon in Australia, first run in 1976. It is held each April in the National Triangle, with the marathon and half marathon passing Parliament House, crossing Commonwealth Avenue Bridge and tracing the shores of Lake Burley Griffin. The 2027 festival runs across the weekend of 17 and 18 April.
The Sunday holds the AIMS-certified marathon and half marathon; the Saturday has the 10km, the 5.4km and a kids' run. Canberra's autumn delivers cool, still mornings, and the city's wide, flat parklands make for fast, uncluttered running, so it has long been a favourite for a first marathon or a PB.
The capital is a straightforward drive or short flight from the eastern cities, and accommodation around the city centre and Barton sits close to the course. Pair the run with the War Memorial, the National Gallery or Parliament House and it makes an easy weekend away.
