Kids will fly in mini-jog ahead of YMCA Canberra Half Marathon

The YMCA Canberra Runners Club is celebrating the 50th YMCA Canberra Half Marathon this weekend.

Registrations will close at midnight on Friday but you can register in person on Saturday for the race on Sunday.

The details of the events are:

Newly re-elected Labor Member for Fenner, Andrew Leigh, won the half-marathon last year, in 78 minutes.

He will be lining up again on Sunday to compete in his fifth YMCA half-marathon in a row.

"My father and grandfather were both marathon runners, so I was chuffed to win in 2018, thanks to a combination of luck and training," Mr Leigh said.

"For anyone who loves Canberra, it's a magical course, circling the west basin of Lake Burley Griffin.

"In typically Canberra fashion, there's no unnecessary hoopla around the event - just a well-organised run with a great community spirit."

Canberra runner Geoff Moore, 71, of Holt, competed in the first half-marathon in 1970.

"I think I snuck into the top 20," he said.

A retired IT specialist at the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Mr Moore now has 28 YMCA half-marathons under his belt.

He's run every day for the last eight months training for Sunday's event.

"I'm looking forward to a nice, warm fireplace afterwards," he said.

Entries for the half-marathon and five-kilometre run can be made in person between 1pm and 3pm on Saturday at race headquarters at Lennox Gardens, off Flynn Drive. No entries will be accepted on race day, Sunday.

Standard registration for the half-marathon is $80 for non-members and $60 for club members. The five-kilometre run on Saturday is $10 or free to members.

Kids don't have to register for Saturday's mini-jog, just turn up on the day, ready to run, but there is a $5 fee per child.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to run with those under their care. Runners aged under eight must be accompanied by an adult.

"There will be awesome finisher medals for the kids at the finish line," the club promises.

Mr Leigh also has a hot tip: "And for anyone who'd like a warm-down, Rob De Castella's Indigenous Marathon Project squad is holding a supporters' run, starting at 10am [on Sunday] at Reconciliation Place".

And, if you're feeling inspired, the YMCA Canberra Runners Club conducts a number of training groups to assist members with their running goals.

Club training groups are conducted by members who volunteer their time and expertise. Some training runs finish with a visit to the local cafe. More details at https://canberra.ymca.org.au