The Stromlo Running Festival has brought together Canberrans and visitors of all ages and fitness levels once a year since its founding in 2009. Photo: Stromlo Running Festival.
Every year in the third week of November, Stromlo Forest Park floods with footsteps in celebration of strength, resilience and courage.
The Stromlo Running Festival (SRF) attracts more than 2000 runners – and walkers – from across Canberra and interstate.
This year marks the 14th annual festival. The team behind SRF recently revealed the official festival shirt for 2023, free for everyone who registers before 30 June, and once again made from recycled fabric in line with SRF’s commitment to have 2023 known as its most environmentally friendly festival yet.
“As well as being a badge of honour on the day and a lovely memento, our 2023 design is made from high-quality recycled micromesh fabric,” race director Mel Bingley said.
“It also features the contour lines of the ‘Mother’, aka Mt Stromlo herself, and a gentle grey-green colour inspired by the native eucalyptus trees that greet runners on course at every turn.
“The idea is to get our runners to think deeply about our land and appreciate its beauty, and to show them that recycled doesn’t automatically mean low quality. Sustainable is beautiful.”
The official 2023 Stromlo Running Festival shirt is free for runners and volunteers who register by June 30 – but if you miss this date, you miss out on a shirt altogether! Photo: Stromlo Running Festival.
This year’s festival runs over 18 and 19 November. Course lengths vary from five to 50 kilometres.
“We will see the popular kids’ 2.5km run once again,” Mel said.
“Courses are based in Stromlo Forest Park, spreading out into the National Arboretum for the 50km event. Our festival has six courses in total, allowing us to be inclusive of all ages, abilities and interests.
“We are into the thousands now for participation but still maintain a genuine grassroots feel thanks to our hundred-strong volunteer team, many of whom come back to support us time and time again.”
SRF was co-founded in 2009 by marathon great Robert de Castella in partnership with 28 Sporting Innovations and the YMCA of Canberra Runners Club.
Director of the Indigenous Marathon Foundation (IMF), which SRF proudly supports, de Castella is a much-loved member of the SRF community and emcee for the event.
“It’s pretty special to be welcomed across the start and finish line by Rob,” Mel said.
“A huge contingent of IMF runners build our weekend into their leadership and training program and it’s always lovely to see them participate.
“We have raised thousands over the years to support IMF, which identifies Indigenous run leaders throughout Australia and supports them through a run program and education in health and fitness to take back to their communities.”
The Stromlo Running Festival celebrates strength, resilience and courage, fostering a sense of community through commitment to a common goal. Photo: Stromlo Running Festival.
de Castella established SRF in memory of the devastating firestorm that ravaged the ACT six years earlier. Mel said SRF championed the strength, resilience and courage shown by Canberrans in the following months.
“Physical activity is a really important part of staying healthy, but our event is about more than that,” she said.
“Going for a run builds up resilience to facing challenges in everyday life. It’s also a great way to connect socially – we are connected by our training and the commitment it requires.
“Every year as we prepare the festival’s courses, we remember the days Canberra burned. We remember the people who lost their homes, their livelihoods, their lives, and we honour them.”
Are you a competitive runner? Stromlo Running Festival is the last event of the year that can be used to qualify for the Six Foot Track Marathon. The festival is also ITRA certified and indexed for UTMB.
For more information, to donate, or to register as a runner or a volunteer, visit the Stromlo Running Festival website.
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