A coast trip with mates, trail-running style

Posted on 22 June, 2022

HerCanberra readers, you know how we love a good road trip to the coast. We’ve eaten, shopped, picnicked, and rambled from the ‘Berra to the sea many times over the years.

But have you ever thought about what it would be like by foot?

Imagine a multistage, trail running event with a festival atmosphere and a weekend away down the coast with your friends and family. That’s the Capital to Coast , a unique event on the running calendar!

Race Director and local trail runner Doug Richards gives us the lowdown.

“The C2C is organised by a volunteer committee who all love the trails around the capital and the region. We know there’s a special connection between Canberra and the South Coast, what better way to pay tribute to it than running from here to there!” he says.

“The original event was started by the Nowra Athletics Club in 2012, and since 2019, has been organised by the Canberra Runners. COVID impacted the event in 2020 and 2021, and we are stoked to hold the event during from 26 until 28 August this year, bigger and better than ever before.”

But don’t stress – this isn’t an endurance event if you don’t want it to be. The race starts on the Friday at Stromlo Forest Park and finishes two days later at Mill Beach in Murramarang on the coast, just north of Batemans Bay. In between, the event travels through some of the region’s most beautiful state forests and towns, mostly in stunning bushland on well-marked trails with full event marshalling support for participants.

The total race distance is 100km, but over nine stages of 8-15km, with different start and finish locations enroute to the coast. It’s a fantastic opportunity to challenge yourself as a solo runner or put together a team of two to four people to form a relay (or running vacay, if you like).

The event is designed so runners can take the time to immerse themselves in everything the region has to offer– like sneaking in a cheeky arvo beer at Stromlo, grabbing lunch in Bungendore, dining in Braidwood and a quick coffee stop in Mogo–with some stunning trail running thrown in!  There will be great prizes including from Canberra’s own The Runners Shop for the top finishing teams and individuals as well as refreshing ales from Capital Brewery.

Not a runner but are coming along as support crew and getting C2C FOMO? Then they’d love to have you join the party as a volunteer. You’ll get the same festival feels and an exclusive volunteer’s buff. There are heaps of different roles so head to the volunteer page to find out more.

Entry for the Capital to Coast trail running festival is open now – fees vary for teams and solo runners, with discounts for Canberra Runners Club members. Early bird entries closes on Friday 8 July, so gather your posse or sign-up solo. All entrants receive a free event t-shirt – and who doesn’t love a bit of merch?