Weston Creek Athletics Club ACT

Weston Creek Athletics Club (Canberra Redbacks) is proud to announce the 37^th running of our iconic half marathon on Sunday 19^th March 2023, along with our 10 km community fun run.

Race Information:

Both events may be held under Covid -19 restrictions which may limit activities before and after the event, depending on what is allowed at that time e.g. a formal presentation ceremony may not be possible after the event but medals, prizes and lucky draw prizes may be presented as you cross the line instead, courtesy of our electronic timing system. This has worked well in past events. In 2022 we were able to hold a formal presentation ceremony and hopefully we will be able to do so again for this event.

Gift vouchers and medals not collected on the day may be collected from the Runners Shop in Colbee Court, Phillip, at your convenience.

The field is limited to 300 participants as both events are conducted almost solely on bike paths, apart from the start.

There is a time cut-off for completion of the event of 3 hours 30 minutes.

Canberra Redback medals and Runners Shop gift vouchers will be awarded to the first three males and females of both the half marathon and 10km. The first male and first female in the half marathon will receive a keepsake trophy and have their names engraved on the perpetual trophy. Masters age group winners in both events will receive Runners Shop vouchers and a Canberra Redbacks medal. There will be an abundance of random pre-drawn barrel draws with gift vouchers, wine or physiotherapy exercise aids as prizes.

Race Bibs may be collected from the Runners Shop, Colbee Court Phillip, from 0900 on Thursday 16th March to 1700 Saturday 18th March, or from 0700 before the race on Sunday morning at the race starting area near the main toilet block at Black Mountain Peninsula. Please allow sufficient time to collect your bib and conduct any Covid registration requirements if you intend leaving bib collection to the Sunday morning.

Injuries Policy: What happens if I have entered and suffer an injury during training which prevents my participation? Unlike most event organisers, we offer three options if the injury occurs up to two weeks from the event start:

1. Transfer you from the half marathon to the 10 km event, if you are able to run that far;
2. Be transferred to the 2024 event; or
3. Seek a refund.

You will need to email me at Robbie.costmeyer@bigpond.com to arrange any of these options, which must be exercised before 14^th March.

You are able to transfer your entry yourself to a fellow runner at any time before March 14^th, 2023.

Should the event not be able to take place on 19^th March then participants will be notified of a rescheduled date.

Race Day:

The Half Marathon and 10km both start at 0800 on Sunday 19th March near the main toilet block at the far end of Black Mountain Peninsula. This should allow some of the faster half marathon runners someone to chase. Please ensure that you cross over the e-timing mat at the start of the race to ensure that you are timed. With some luck, this event may again coincide with the Balloon Festival, which would present some spectacular views along the course.

Clothing and other gear may be left under cover near the start line where the presentations will take place after the race (Covid-19 guidelines permitting).

The finish line is not the same as the start line and is 100m past the rowing club shed. You must cross over the e-timing mat to record a time.

Relay Teams: The second and third Relay runners must find their own way to the changeover points. For teams of three, the 7 and 14 km mark are at the same spot, which is on the bike path going out just before the Cotter Road Bridge. For Relay teams of two the change-over point is at the event turn around point at 11.1 km.

Further details about the event will be emailed to entrants prior to the day.

The half marathon early bird entry fee is $65 and $40 for the 10 Km. These fees will apply up to midnight on 1st November 2022 when a second level of fees of $75 and $45 respectively kicks in until midnight on 14th February 2023. Then until registrations close at midnight on Wednesday 14th March 2023 the fees will be $85 and $50 respectively. ACTMA members and Griffins running the half marathon are eligible to enter for a discount of $10.

Relay teams of two or three runners in the half marathon pay a set fee of $85 per team, regardless of when they register. The first runner will start with the rest of the individual runners but carry a baton with an electronic chip, rather than an e-bib, which they hand to the next runner at the changeover point.

Race Information:

There will be no late online entries accepted after midnight on Wednesday 14th March.

Course Description

The course starts at the end of Garryowen Drive on Black Mountain Peninsula. Runners will proceed along Garryowen Drive and turn left onto the shared path just before Lady Denman Drive. Runners then proceed along the shared path, (keeping to the left hand side) around West Basin and over Scrivener dam before following shared paths past the ovals at Curtin, under McCulloch Street and adjacent to Yarra Glen. The shared path then crosses under Melrose Drive. Shortly after, runners turn and retrace their steps to Black Mountain Peninsula. Here they turn right onto the bike path near the rowing sheds and enter John Cardiff Close for the finish.

There are 5 drink stations on the course situated approximately every 4kms.

 
Canberra Half Marathon Elevation Graphic