Canberra Marathon

Location: Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
Country: Australia
Website: https://solemotive.com/pages/canberra-times-marathon-festival
2025 Marathon Date: 13/04/2025
2026 Marathon Date: 12/04/2026
Winning Time 2025: 2:30:08
% Sub-3s: 2–5%
# Sub-3s: 100–499
Total Runners: 1k–3k

The Canberra Marathon is a well-established fixture on Australia’s distance running calendar, held every autumn in the country’s capital city. Known for its organised feel and local charm, the event is part of a wider running festival that attracts a mix of elites, club runners, and first-time marathoners. Canberra’s low humidity, cool air, and relatively flat topography make it a compelling option for sub-3 hopefuls.

The course is a looped route centred around the city’s parklands, wide boulevards, and scenic lakeside paths. It features long, steady straights with minimal sharp turns, allowing runners to maintain consistent splits throughout. Although there are some gentle undulations, the overall elevation profile is favourable for those aiming for fast times.

Held in April, the Canberra Marathon benefits from early autumn conditions in the southern hemisphere. Temperatures are typically in the range of 7–15°C at the start, and the dry inland climate keeps conditions crisp and clear. Wind levels are generally low, and the air quality is good - an underrated factor for marathon performance.

The event is known for its calm and focused atmosphere. It lacks the dense crowds of a major-city race but makes up for it with seamless organisation and a supportive community vibe. Aid stations are spaced at regular intervals and stocked with standard hydration and fuel options, and the course is well marshalled from start to finish.

For sub-3 runners, the Canberra Marathon offers an efficient, no-fuss race environment. It’s a race where performance is the priority, and distractions are minimal. The compact city layout makes logistics simple, with hotels and race infrastructure within walking distance of the start line.

The Canberra Marathon may not have the global profile of the majors, but it delivers a balanced mix of speed, scenery, and serenity - ideal for experienced runners looking to sharpen their edge or test fitness in a well-calibrated race environment.