Canberra Marathon
The Canberra Times Marathon Festival is an annual marathon (42.195 km (26.219 mi)) held in the city of Canberra, the capital of Australia. The marathon, which was established in 1976, is said to be the oldest city marathon in Australia. It often takes place early in April.[1]
Canberra Marathon | |
---|---|
![]() Start line in 2006 | |
Date | Mid-April |
Location | Canberra, Australia |
Event type | Road |
Distance | Marathon, Half marathon, 10K run, 5K run, Ultramarathon |
Primary sponsor | The Canberra Times |
Established | 1976 |
Course records | Men's: 2:15:02 (1995)![]() Women's: 2:32:57 (1994) ![]() |
Official site | Canberra Times Marathon Festival |
Participants | 1,013 (2019) |
History
The marathon was first held in 1976.[1] It was founded by John Harding, who also was the race director and inaugural winner, with a finish time of 2:36:39.[2] There were 17 finishers in total.[2]
In 1977, the race was known as the Pre-Pacific Conference Games Marathon.[3][4] A total of 85 runners finished the marathon.[4]
The 2020 in-person edition of the race was postponed to 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic, with all entries automatically transferred to 2021, and all registrants given the option of also running the race virtually and receiving a medal for free.[5][6][7]
Course
The marathon starts at Telopea Park School in the suburb of Manuka, within sight of Parliament House. The route starts with a 10 km (6.2 mi) lap around the old and new Parliament buildings and other major government buildings. This is followed by a double lap crossing Lake Burley Griffin (over the Kings Avenue and Commonwealth Avenue bridges) and along Parkes Way out towards the Glenloch interchange, which is in close proximity to the Telstra Tower landmark.
Other awards
Runners who complete 10 Canberra marathons are given the honorary title of Griffin, about Lake Burley Griffin, which is at the centre of the marathon and the city of Canberra.
Other races
The event has five races: 5 km race on a Saturday, and the 10km, half marathon, marathon and ultramarathon on the following day.[8]
The ultramarathon used to allow those who registered for the marathon to "go beyond the marathon" and compete in a 50 km (31 mi) event. At the time, once participants completed the marathon, they were recorded as marathon finishers and were eligible to run a few extra kilometers to also complete the 50 km race.[8] The ultramarathon and marathon were later split into separate races with separate start times.[9][10]
Community impact
Under the Australian Running Festival, the event works to fundraise approximately $200,000 for over 250 charities in 2018. Individuals or teams may participate in the event and work towards fundraising money for their charity of choice; with some teams such as 'Team Beyond Blue' raising $25,099.[11] Individuals or teams that are participating in the event contribute a donation as part of their entry and may also work towards accumulating sponsors.[12]
Winners
Key: Course record
Ed. | Year | Men's winner | Time[lower-alpha 1] | Women's winner | Time[lower-alpha 1] | Rf. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1976 | ![]() |
2:36:39 | — | — | [2] |
2 | 1977 | ![]() |
2:27:42 | — | — | [4] |
3 | 1978 | ![]() |
2:26:58 | ![]() |
2:59:28 | |
4 | 1979 | ![]() |
2:18:45 | ![]() |
3:10:00 | |
5 | 1980 | ![]() |
2:17:51 | ![]() |
2:55:17 | |
6 | 1981 | ![]() |
2:15:16 | ![]() |
2:44:08 | |
7 | 1982 | ![]() |
2:17:45 | ![]() |
2:45:12 | |
8 | 1983 | ![]() |
2:16:57 | ![]() |
2:44:11 | |
9 | 1984 | ![]() |
2:15:50 | ![]() |
2:35:05 | |
10 | 1985 | ![]() |
2:21:27 | ![]() |
2:54:45 | |
11 | 1986 | ![]() |
2:21:21 | ![]() |
2:46:29 | |
12 | 1987 | ![]() |
2:19:00 | ![]() |
2:49:43 | |
13 | 1988 | ![]() |
2:15:07 | ![]() |
2:48:18 | |
14 | 1989 | ![]() |
2:26:55 | ![]() |
2:41:39 | |
15 | 1990 | ![]() |
2:22:24 | ![]() |
2:58:00 | |
16 | 1991 | ![]() |
2:23:23 | ![]() |
2:46:18 | |
17 | 1992 | ![]() |
2:19:46 | ![]() |
2:42:31 | |
18 | 1993 | ![]() |
2:22:20 | ![]() |
2:42:00 | |
19 | 1994 | ![]() |
2:19:39 | ![]() |
2:32:57 | |
20 | 1995 | ![]() |
2:15:02 | ![]() |
2:41:48 | |
21 | 1996 | ![]() |
2:25:39 | ![]() |
2:42:43 | |
22 | 1997 | ![]() |
2:23:38 | ![]() |
2:42:45 | |
23 | 1998 | ![]() |
2:23:25 | ![]() |
2:51:05 | |
24 | 1999 | ![]() |
2:18:01 | ![]() |
2:47:30 | |
— | 2000 | not held due to Host City Marathon | [13][14] | |||
25 | 2001 | ![]() |
2:16:23 | ![]() |
2:41:59 | |
26 | 2002 | ![]() |
2:20:20 | ![]() |
2:49:09 | |
27 | 2003 | ![]() |
2:22:35 | ![]() |
2:38:56 | |
28 | 2004 | ![]() |
2:15:12 | ![]() |
2:43:21 | |
29 | 2005 | ![]() |
2:21:01 | ![]() |
2:43:52 | |
30 | 2006 | ![]() |
2:24:10 | ![]() |
2:42:55 | |
31 | 2007 | ![]() |
2:20:55 | ![]() |
2:43:40 | |
32 | 2008 | ![]() |
2:24:13 | ![]() |
2:46:01 | |
33 | 2009 | ![]() |
2:26:09 | ![]() |
2:43:19 | |
— | 2010 | cancelled due to ownership dispute | [15] | |||
34 | 2011 | ![]() |
2:24:14 | ![]() |
2:50:49 | |
35 | 2012 | ![]() |
2:28:23 | ![]() |
2:47:45 | |
36 | 2013 | ![]() |
2:24:23 | ![]() |
2:52:46 | |
37 | 2014 | ![]() |
2:21:38 | ![]() |
2:49:57 | |
38 | 2015 | ![]() |
2:26:27 | ![]() |
2:53:54 | |
39 | 2016 | ![]() |
2:28:43 | ![]() |
2:46:55 | |
40 | 2017 | ![]() |
2:21:38 | ![]() |
2:58:41 | |
41 | 2018 | ![]() |
2:25:38 | ![]() |
3:00:57 | |
42 | 2019 | ![]() |
2:20:25 | ![]() |
2:43:33 | [16][17] |
2020 | postponed due to coronavirus pandemic | [5] |
References
- https://ausrunning.net/search/races.php?race=Canberra+Marathon
- https://ausrunning.net/marathon/canberra-1976
- https://arrs.run/HP_CnbMa.htm
- https://ausrunning.net/marathon/canberra-1977
- https://web.archive.org/web/20200910030730/https://events.solemotive.com/canberra-times-marathon-festival/faqs/
- https://web.archive.org/web/20200910030319/https://events.solemotive.com/canberra-times-marathon-festival/virtual/
- https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6918181/marathon-festival-bows-to-restrictions/
- "Ultra Marathon". Archived from the original on 19 April 2013. Retrieved 30 April 2013.
- https://web.archive.org/web/20190304114038/https://runningfestival.com.au/marathon
- https://web.archive.org/web/20190304114044/https://runningfestival.com.au/ultra-marathon
- "Raising Money — Running Festival". runningfestival.com.au. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
- Connery, Georgina. "Preparation the key for 2017 Canberra Running Festival". Canberra Times. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
- https://web.archive.org/web/20011229130026/http://www.canberramarathon.com.au/results.html
- https://www.worldathletics.org/news/news/selection-trial-highlights-the-host-city-mara
- http://info.cmtedd.act.gov.au/archived-media-releases/media4dab.html
- https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6043298/canberra-marathoners-smash-last-years-champion-times/
- https://worldathletics.org/athletes/great-britain-ni/nick-earl-14483516