Canberra International Walking Weekend: Frequently Asked Questions
The Canberra International Walking Weekend is an unusual and unique event in Australia, and there are several questions that often arise. Hopefully this page will help to answer most of your questions. If not, please feel free to contact us.
I have heard this event referred to as a "two day walk". Will I need camping gear?
What should I carry for the walk? Do I need to take a backpack?
Are refreshments available?
How long are the circuits? Is it the same route on both days?
Can I bring my dog?
Can I do the walks in a wheelchair? And what about strollers?
Can I enter on the day of the walks?
What time should I come?
Can I walk a longer distance than the distance shown for my age? (or a shorter distance?)
Is it a race?
Do I need to train?
How many people participate?
With what is the CTDW organisation affliliated?
Q: I have heard this event referred to as a "two day walk". Will I need camping gear?
A: No. Each day the walk starts and finishes at the same place. Once you finish walking for the day you return home to your accommodation to sleep. One of the reasons behind changing the name for the walk in 2007 was to help dispel this common misconception.
Q: What should I carry for the walk? Do I need to take a backpack?
A: A large backpack is generally not necessary, but most people take a small day pack. We suggest you consider bringing the following: sunscreen, hat, waterbottle (although drinks are regularly provided at the checkpoints), sunglasses, camera, a small amount of money (there are shops along many of the routes) and any snacks you might require during the walk. Some walkers on the longer routes pack a picnic lunch to eat on the way. If you can also bring your own cup it will help save the environment with fewer disposable cups used at the checkpoints.
Q: Are refreshments available?
A: Checkpoints are placed at regular intervals and will be shown on your route maps - usually every 5km or so. Water (and sometimes cordial) is available at each checkpoint. Most of the walks will also pass by one or more shops along the way. A local scout group also sells refreshments at the completion of the walk. We recommend that walkers take their own water bottle on the walk, particularly if the weather is hot. Many walkers also take trail mix or jelly lollies (sweets/candy) on the walk.
Q: How long are the circuits? Is it the same route on both days?
A: There are no circuits for the walks - each walk is one large loop and the route will be different on each day. Generally the routes will cover a significant part of Canberra, showcasing the beautiful Lake Burley Griffin and Parliamentary Triangle. On one day the walk will cover the north side of Canberra and on the other day the walk will venture south. From year to year the routes will also change, so returning walkers will see something different. Canberra has a vast network of bush trails and multi-use paths (for pedestrians and cyclists), so walkers will seldom need to cross roads during the walks.
Q: Can I bring my dog?
A: Generally no. Many of the routes, particularly the longer ones, will pass through reserve areas where dogs are not permitted, so we advise against walkers planning on bringing their dogs. Specific information is included each year in the information sent out with your registration pack. For the walks where dogs are permitted, please remember to bring suitable equipment to deal with the "doggy-do" as required by law!
Q: Can I do the walks in a wheelchair? And what about strollers?
A: Wheelchairs are generally impractical on most of the walks, although the 5km escorted walk is usually wheelchair accessible, and sometimes the 10km walks are also OK, but can prove a challenge for wheelchairs. The longer walks will travel for part of the way on unsealed paths, which are not suitable for wheelchairs. If you are planning to enter with a wheelchair we suggest you contact us in advance to determine the suitability of the terrain for the distance you are interested in completing.
Many walkers take strollers on the 10km walks.
Q: Can I enter on the day of the walks?
A: Yes! Entries are welcome on the day, but you will pay a nominal late fee. Just make sure you have had sufficient training time for the distance you are planning to complete. You should also arrive in plenty of time to complete your registration.
Q: What time should I come?
A: All walkers are required to check in prior to commencing the walk. You will also be checked back in on the completion of your walk, so if there is any reason why you need to pull out along the way, please make sure you let us know. Check in occurs up to 30 minutes prior to the walk's scheduled start time - for more information see the event timings on the program. If you are registering on the day you should ensure you allow plenty of time.
Q: Can I walk a longer distance than the distance shown for my age? (or a shorter distance?)
A: Yes! Surprisingly there are a lot of walkers who walk a lot further than the minimum distance required to be awarded the medal. Our oldest walker in the 30km distance in 2007 was 82!
Likewise, if you are not ready to tackle the medal distance required for your age, we recommend you start with something shorter, and perhaps build up for another year. There are many parents who choose to walk the shorter 10km route with their children.
If there is a medical reason for you being unable to complete the required distance, then you are welcome to apply for an exemption (prior to the event), but you will require a letter from your medical practitioner.
Q: Is it a race?
A: No! This is one of the unique aspects of this event. It is designed to encourage participation but still provide an individual challenge given the distances required to earn the medal. There are no additional awards to those who finish first. A small number of walkers will racewalk to the finish, but most will take their time and enjoy the scenery and the company of the other walkers along the way. Anyone caught running will be disqualified - this is an event for walkers!
Q: Do I need to train?
A: Yes! Unless you are in the rare minority and have a very good base fitness level, you will find the distances required for this event a challenge. Even if you can complete the first day without a problem, heading off on a second consecutive day adds an extra degree of difficulty. We suggest you consider our training programs for the longer distances, but even the 5km walks will require prior preparation. Until you have tackled a long walk you will not realise what other issues will arise - blisters are a good example! So make sure you have broken in the shoes you plan to wear and have trained appropriately for the distance you want to tackle.
Q: How many people participate?
A profile of the walkers (numbers by age, origin and achievement level) is shown on the history of the walk page. Over all of the distances there are over 600 participants.
Q: With what is the CTDW organisation affliliated?
A: In the early days the walk was partially supported by the local ACT government, but now CTDW is an independant not-for-profit association run by a committee of volunteers. CTDW is a member of the IML Walking Association and the International Federation of Popular Sports (IVV). The CTDW has no religious or political affiliation - sometimes people think we do given that we start and finish the walks at the Australian Centre for Christianity & Culture, but we just hire this venue for that purpose.
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