23 March 2024
Saturday Walks
Take on the two-day challenge, or register for only one walk and join in the fun of a unique Canberra cultural activity
Day One
7km, 11km, 21km, 42km
Welcome to the first day of walking. We hope many of you will challenge yourself by taking on one walk on Saturday and one walk on Sunday.
Everyone that completes the two-day challenge will receive a commemorative two-day Rotary Aussie Peace Walk medal.
For those who can’t walk on both days, we don’t want you to miss out on the fun! You can opt for a Saturday or Sunday event and get a certificate of completion.
There is something for everyone on Day One.
All events on Saturday are on fairly level ground and take place around the picturesque Lake Burley Griffin.
Comfortable walking shoes, joggers or running shoes make ideal footwear for all Saturday routes.
Ring the Canberra Rotary World Peace Bell as you go past
Event Info
Friday: Opening Ceremony
Saturday: 7, 11, 21, 42 km walks
Sunday: 7, 12, 24 km walks
Entry Fees
Which Country Will You Represent?
When you enter, we will ask you to choose a country or culture to support. Please wear something to identify yourself as representing your chosen country.
There are prizes for individuals and teams that best present the colour and personality of a people or culture.
NOTE: Some Routes May Change.
Final routes may vary slightly closer to the day, but all will start and finish at Albert Hall or in Nara Park.
Altered routes may differ slightly in length, but they will be similar.
Marathon
A challenge for the more energetic.
Have you ever thought about running a marathon but wondered if you could make it? Or maybe you used to run marathons but your marathon running days are over? Then this is the event for you!
Now is your opportunity to complete a marathon without the stress of running. (Preparation is recommended because a marthon still takes some effort.)
We have allowed up to 8.5 hours to complete the scenic 42.2 km route.
Starting at Albert Hall, walkers will head past the Rotary World Peace Bell and then east along the same route the ’21 km East’ walkers will take.
You will take in a wide range of scenery, from manicured parks and urban areas to natural attractions such as the Jerrabomberra Wetlands.
The mid-way cut off is 11:45am. If you are not ready to start the second half of the marathon from Albert Hall at 11:45am, you will be credited with a 21km half-marathon.
Drink stations will be at checkpoints along the route.
Marathoners will finish at the historic Albert Hall.
Part One of the Marathon is the same as the Saturday 21km route, but marathoners will start earlier than the 21km East walkers.
If you feel you can’t do the 42km, or you don’t make the cut-off time, you can stop at the halfway point be recorded as a 21km finisher.
Start Time: 7:30 am
The official start is at 7:30 am. Walkers should aim to arrive in plenty of time for the last-minute briefing.
Remember, this is NOT a race, so there is no need to be first off the starting line.
Most of the route is paved, so we suggest comfortable joggers or walking shoes.
A marathon on a firm surface can be challenging on the legs. If you don’t like the hard surface, you may vary your surface by walking on the grass verge.
21 km Walks
We offer two 21km route options. You may choose either ’21km East’ or ’21km West’ on the day.
Note: Each walk starts at a different time.
If you’d like to walk with your marathoning friends to keep them company as they do the second half of the marathon, now you can. Or, if you walked the 21km last year and you want a change, now you have an alternate 21km route option.
Starting at Albert Hall, ’21k East’ walkers will head past the Rotary World Peace Bell where you can have your photo taken ringing the bell.
You will go up Anzac Parade past many memorials, turn at the Australian War Memorial and come back down the other side.
After passing the National Carillion, you will continue to the WW1 trenches and then through the Jerrabomberra Wetlands.
You’ll walk along the Kingston Foreshore. (Maybe stop for a coffee!), then continue around the lake, behind the National Art Gallery, past the iconic avenue of flags, through the car park, under Commonwealth Avenue and finish at the front of Albert Hall.
21km West
The second 21km walk starts at Albert Hall and heads to checkpoint one at the Canberra World Peace Bell. (Marathoners will bypass this as they passed this checkpoint on their first 21km).
Your route will take you around the west basin of the lake, through parks, past the golf course, across the dam and around the north side of the lake to return to finish at Albert Hall.
This route is not as interesting as the 21km East, but if you wanted to do a ParkRun before the walk or you’d like to walk with a friend in the second half of the marathon, or you slept in! – this is an alternate 21km option for you.
21km Start Time: 8:00 am
Remember, this is NOT a race, so there is no need to be first off the starting line. Take it easy and enjoy the walk.
’21km West’ Start Time: 10:30 am
If you missed the start of the ’21km East’ or you want to walk with the marathoners as they do their second half, the 21km West is for you. Take it easy and enjoy the walk.
11 km
A peaceful walk for people of all ages
Starting at Albert Hall, walkers will head past the Rotary World Peace Bell where you can have your photo taken ringing the bell.
Head east around the edge of the lake, cross the bridge and walk through Commonwealth Park, under the road and up Anzac Parade. We encourage you to take your time on reflect at the magnificent memorials along the route.
After walking around the back of the Australian War Memorial, you will continue to circumnavigate Queen Elizabeth II Island.
Cross the next bridge and you are on the home stretch. You’ll continue around the lake, behind the National Art Gallery, past the iconic avenue of flags, through the car park, under Commonwealth Avenue and finish at the front of Albert Hall.
Start Time: 8:30 am
Remember, this is NOT a race, so there is no need to be first off the starting line. Take it easy and enjoy the walk.
MarchMingle Friendship Walk 7km
Welcome to the 1st MarchMingle. A moving parade of intercultural friendship and fun for the whole family.
The Mingle starts at 9am on Saturday but if you can't make it on Saturday, there's another Mingle walk at 9am on Sunday that takes a different route.
You can take part on Saturday or Sunday or you can do both.
Standard one day registration fee is $10 per person for all ages or $20 for both days.
LATE ENTRIES - (10 March to 24 March 2024).
Late one day registration fee is $15 per person for all ages or $30 for both days.
This is the 2023 Saturday 7km route, depending on numbers of entrants, minor changes will be made to the start and finish areas.
This is the route taken for the Sunday 7km in 2023, however, a large part of this route requires participants to walk in single file. If this event proves too popular, the route will be changed for 2024.
You’ll receive a participant bib to allow you to take part. Every registered person will be eligible to win prizes at the event.
(Details of prizes and competitions to be announced prior to the event.)