Run Canberra 2026: Bus Stops Closed and Routes Diverted Around Parliament, Sunday 1 November (Canberra, ACT)

Eleven bus stops around the Parliamentary Triangle will not be serviced from 6:30am to 12:00pm on Sunday 1 November 2026 because of The Canberra Times Run Canberra, and Transport Canberra has diverted routes R2, R6, 56, 57, 58 and 59. Roads in the area close from 4:30am, so anyone driving or catching a bus through Parkes and Barton that morning needs a different plan.

This guide brings together the Transport Canberra service update, the City Services road closures notice and the National Capital Authority closure page. All three were read on Tuesday 20 October 2026.

What time does the race start, and where?

The National Capital Authority’s event page lists the start times for Sunday 1 November, with the event at Rond Terrace, Parkes. It says more than 5,000 runners will take on the open roads of Canberra, passing landmarks including Old and New Parliament House.

Event	Start time
Half Marathon	6:30am
10K	8:25am
5K	9:30am
Kids Dash	10:15am

The organiser listed by the National Capital Authority is Sole Motive. Entry prices vary by distance and price period, and the authority’s page says current prices range from $40 to $170. Transport Canberra’s travel page names a 2K, 5K, 10K and Half Marathon, and does not give a start time for the 2K.

Which bus routes are affected?

Transport Canberra lists the following changes between 6:30am and 12:00pm on Sunday 1 November:

• Routes R2, R6, 57 and 58 are affected in both directions.
• Routes 56 and 59 are affected on services to the City.
• All regular Transport Canberra bus services run to a Sunday bus timetable that day.

For routes 56 and 59 heading to the City, bus stops 3029, 3031, 3032, 3033, 3034 and 3035 will not be serviced. Transport Canberra tells customers to catch route R3 services to City Interchange instead.

Which bus stops are closed, and where do I go instead?

Transport Canberra lists 11 stops that will not be serviced, with the stop to use instead. The service update groups the alternatives by stop number:

Closed stop	Location	Use this stop instead
1777	Langton Crescent before King Edward Terrace	2248, Albert Hall on Commonwealth Avenue (northbound services)
1778	Langton Crescent after Newlands Street	2247, Commonwealth Avenue opposite Albert Hall (southbound services)
2245	Parliament House Federation Mall, northbound	2248, Albert Hall on Commonwealth Avenue (northbound services)
2246	Parliament House Federation Mall, southbound	2247, Commonwealth Avenue opposite Albert Hall (southbound services)
2586	Parliament House Parliament Drive, southbound	2593, Melbourne Avenue after Somers Crescent
2587	Parliament House Parliament Drive, northbound	2217, Melbourne Avenue after Canterbury Crescent
3028	Kings Avenue before King Edward Terrace	2258, Barton Bus Station platform 1
3258	National Library, King Edward Terrace	2259, Barton Bus Station platform 2
3259	The Treasury Building on King Edward Terrace	2248, Albert Hall on Commonwealth Avenue (northbound services)
3260	John Gorton Building on Parkes Place	2259, Barton Bus Station platform 2
3261	Parkes Place opposite John Gorton Building	2258, Barton Bus Station platform 1

The notice identifies every stop by its number, so check the number against the table before you wait.

How do I get to the start by bus?

Transport Canberra’s travelling to Run Canberra page gives separate directions for the 5K and for the other distances.

• 5K: the run starts at King George Terrace and finishes at Rond Terrace. Catch Rapids R4, R5, R7 or R10, or routes 57 or 58, from the City Interchange to bus stop 2247 on Commonwealth Avenue opposite Albert Hall, then take a short walk to the start line.
• 2K, 10K and Half Marathon: these start and finish at Rond Terrace. Catch Rapid R3 or routes 56 or 59 from the city to bus stop 3007 on Constitution Avenue opposite Anzac Park West, then take a short walk to the event precinct.

How do I get home afterwards?

Transport Canberra gives two options from Constitution Avenue:

• To City Interchange, catch route R3 (Spence) from bus stop 3033 on Constitution Avenue after Anzac Park West.
• Heading south, catch route R3 (Airport), route 56 (Fyshwick) or route 59 (Woden) from bus stop 3007 on Constitution Avenue opposite Anzac Park West.

For 5K participants, Sole Motive runs a free shuttle bus from Rond Terrace to the Treasury Building Car Park between 10:30am and 11:30am after the event.

Which roads are closed, and until when?

City Services says temporary road closures and traffic delays apply from 4:30am to 12:00pm on Sunday 1 November, and it lists these roads as closed from 4:30am until 12pm:

• Kings Avenue (eastbound), from State Circle to Parkes Way.
• State Circle (southbound), from Perth Avenue to Kings Avenue.
• Flynn Drive (all directions), from State Circle to Coronation Drive.
• Perth Avenue (all directions), from State Circle to Moonah Place.
• Rhodes Place (all directions), at State Circle.
• The Adelaide Avenue northbound off-ramp at State Circle.
• State Circle (all directions), from Adelaide Avenue to Brisbane Avenue.
• Federation Mall (both directions), from Parliament Drive to Queen Victoria Terrace.
• Queen Victoria Terrace (both directions), from Langton Crescent to Kings Avenue.
• King George Terrace (both directions), from Langton Crescent to Kings Avenue.
• King Edward Terrace (both directions), from Parkes Place West to Parkes Place East.
• Parkes Place East and Parkes Place West (both directions), between King George Terrace and the Commonwealth Place and Queen Elizabeth Terrace intersection.
• The Commonwealth Place and Queen Elizabeth Terrace intersection (all directions).

The two official lists give different end times

The National Capital Authority’s closure page covers some of the same roads but gives staggered times, all starting at 4:30am:

Closed until	Roads
11:30am	Kings Avenue Bridge, eastbound, between State Circle and Parkes Way
11:00am	Queen Victoria Terrace, Federation Mall East and West, Langton Crescent (Coronation Drive to King George Terrace), King George Terrace
10:30am	State Circle southbound, Perth Avenue to Kings Avenue
9:00am	Parkes Place West and East, King Edward Terrace, Queen Elizabeth Terrace

City Services gives 12:00pm for its list, and the National Capital Authority gives earlier reopening times for the roads it manages. Neither page says which one overrides the other, so plan for the later time and follow the signs and traffic controllers on the day. City Services says traffic controllers and event staff will be positioned throughout the area to manage traffic and maintain access where possible.

What if I am driving through the area?

City Services encourages motorists travelling through the Parliamentary Triangle, Barton and Parkes to allow extra travel time and consider alternative routes where possible. Transport Canberra also encourages participants and spectators to plan ahead and allow extra time.

If you are driving part of the way, Transport Canberra suggests the Park and Ride facilities, which are connected to frequent bus and light rail services. Our Canberra fares and MyWay+ guide covers how to pay for the bus and light rail.

Can I walk, cycle or scoot instead?

Transport Canberra says the event is in the Parliamentary Triangle and is accessible on foot, by bicycle, or by shared e-scooter and e-bike. From the city, many event locations are within walking distance and connected by the shared path network. Bicycle parking is available near the event precinct, and you need to bring your own lock.

The page also notes that pedestrian access along Commonwealth Avenue from the city has changed, and it points readers to the Built for CBR website for details. It reminds riders to wear a helmet, follow the road rules and be considerate of other path users.

Before you leave home

• Check the number on your usual stop against the list of 11 closed stops above.
• Remember that all regular buses run to a Sunday timetable.
• Use the Transport Canberra Journey Planner for service changes on the day.
• Tap on and off as usual with your contactless card, phone or MyWay+ card.

Sources

• Transport Canberra — Run Canberra 2026 bus stop closures and diversions (checked 20 October 2026)
• Transport Canberra — Travelling to The Canberra Times Run Canberra 2026 (checked 20 October 2026)
• City Services ACT — Road closures on Sunday 1 November 2026 for Run Canberra (checked 20 October 2026)
• National Capital Authority — Road closure, special event, Canberra Times Run Canberra (checked 20 October 2026)
• National Capital Authority — Run Canberra 2026 (checked 20 October 2026)

Featured image: Old Parliament House, Canberra (photo: Dietmar Rabich / CC BY-SA 4.0) (text added)

OZ Local Updates is an independent local guide and is not affiliated with Transport Canberra, City Services ACT, the National Capital Authority or Sole Motive. Closures and diversions can change; check the official pages above before you travel.