On Sunday 13th April 2024, the #RunforFemiliPNG team will be lacing up our running shoes for the Canberra Times Marathon Festival! All funds raised will support essential services for women who are survivors of family and sexual violence in Papua New Guinea. These women deserve the opportunity to rebuild their lives, and Femili PNG connects them to the critical support they need, empowering their journey toward healing and recovery.
Event Details
The Canberra Times Marathon Festival will take place on Sunday 13th April, outside of Old Parliament House in Parkes ACT. The start line for all races is on King George Terrace. The event village is on John Dunmore Lang Place.
A variety of distances are available to suit runners and walkers of all ages and abilities. This includes a 2km kids run, 5.4km fun run, 10km run, half marathon and full marathon.
2km Kids Fun Run
Start Time: 9:00 am
Children up to age 14 can participate. Parents/Guardians can participate in the 2km with their children free of charge. You only need to register your child.
Current Entry Cost: $40
5.4km Fun Run
Start Time: 7:30 am
Total Elevation: Approx 35m
Children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by a registered adult to enter the 5.4km.
Current Entry Cost: $50
($40 if under 18)
10km Run
Start Time: 7:00 am
Total Elevation: Approx 60m
Participants must be aged over 12 years to enter the 10km run.
Current Entry Cost: $72
($58 if under 18)
Half Marathon (21.1km)
Start Time: 8:00 am
Total Elevation: Approx 215m
Participants must be aged over 16 years to enter the half marathon.
Current Entry Cost: $125
Marathon (42.2km)
Start Time: 6:15 am
Total Elevation: Approx 380m
Participants must be aged over 18 years to enter the marathon.
Current Entry Cost: $210
Perks of the #RunforFemiliPNG Team
Are you ready to make your steps count? Join the #RunForFemiliPNG team at the Canberra Times Marathon Festival and turn your run into a powerful statement of support for women in Papua New Guinea. By running with us, you’ll not only challenge yourself but also contribute to an important cause. Here are the amazing perks that come with it:
Run for Free: Raise over $500 for FemiliPNG Australia, and we’ll cover your entry fee to the Canberra Times Marathon Festival! To be eligible, reach your fundraising target and claim your rebate by 28th April 2025. Simply email [email protected] with your name and the invoice received when you signed up for the festival. Claiming your rebate is optional – if you’d like all the funds you raise to go directly to support our work, you can choose not to claim your rebate.
Free T-Shirts: Every member of the #RunForFemiliPNG team will receive a free t-shirt on race day. Wear it proudly as you run to show your support for Femili PNG and spread awareness about the cause.
Fundraising Resources: We’re here to support you every step of the way! All team members will receive fundraising tips and social media content via email, making it easier for you to share your journey and encourage others to contribute.
By joining the #RunForFemiliPNG team, you’ll be part of a community dedicated to making a difference. Lace up your running shoes, set your fundraising goals, and help us create change – one step at a time.
Join the Team
Ready to #RunforFemiliPNG at the Canberra Times Marathon Festival? Visit the link below and click “Register Now”. Make sure to select “FemiliPNG Australia” in the Fundraising section of the registration form!
Need help getting your page or team set-up? No problem – email [email protected]!
Sponsor a Runner
Prefer cheering to running? We’d love your support!
Consider sponsoring your favourite runner today. All funds raised will go directly towards supporting Femili PNG’s life-changing services.
Volunteer on Race Day
If you are keen to volunteer, we’d love to hear from you! We always need extra help taking photos, organising runners and preparing food for our team on race day. Email us at [email protected], or get in touch via the contact form below:
Raising funds for Femili PNG
Family and sexual violence in PNG is extremely complex, with up to 68% of women experiencing violence at some stage in their lives. Out of these survivors, less than 35% will seek help.
Access to safe accommodation, medical assistance, legal support, financial aid, and vocational resources is a fundamental human right. However, navigating the complex care and justice systems after experiencing violence can be incredibly challenging without the right support.
Opening their doors in 2014, Femili PNG was established to help survivors access support from the many different service providers. They were the first Papua New Guinean organisation to take a case management approach to supporting survivors.
In the past 10 years, Femili PNG has assisted over 7,000 survivors of family and sexual violence to access the care they need. Their organisation has grown from just 7 staff in Lae to 65 staff across three locations. Services expanded to Port Moresby in 2018 under the Bel isi PNG initiative, where they also operate a safe house; and to Goroka in 2021 after noticing an increasing number of survivors travelling to access services.
Femili PNG now takes in almost 90 new clients a month. They support about 100 women and children in safe house accommodation every night, and help 20 clients every month obtain protection orders.
In addition to providing case management assistance, Femili PNG undertakes extensive outreach in communities and schools to raise awareness about family and sexual violence and what help is available. They train community leaders to support survivors locally; work in close collaboration with other service providers to enhance their impact; and help coordinate family and sexual violence services in the regions where they operate. Femili PNG also undertakes research-based advocacy, working to improve government responses to gender-based violence.
Based in Australia, FemiliPNG Australia was established in 2015 as a dedicated support organisation for Femili PNG. We know that local people, local communities and local organisations are best-placed to respond to the needs of Papua New Guinean families. For this reason, all funds raised by our running team go directly towards activities that support Femili PNG’s life-changing services.