This year's event will be the first to feature the Kids Dash, a race just shy of one kilometre that will see participants start on King George Terrace, circle around the Old Parliament House car park, go onto the pathway along Parkes Place, and cross the finish line on West Lawns.

For many of the youngsters in Corroboree Little Athletics in Dickson, the distance will be a lot less than they run almost every weekend.

Little Athletics ACT has partnered with The Canberra Times Australian Running Festival, presented by Tata Consultancy Services, to introduce the Kids Dash as part of the event's weekend program from April 13 to 14.

"I think it's going to be pretty easy because I like doing 1500-metre 800-metre runs. I've ran 800 metres in two minutes and 32 seconds," 11-year-old Thea Reinhardt said.

"I started running when I was young because my dad was a runner, so I guess I'm just used to it. And I find it fun because it's exercise and I like doing that."

Others in the athletics club agree that Thea is the fastest runner in the group, and has a good shot at beating kids in the event who are older than her. Participants in the Kids Dash will get to experience everything an elite race has to offer, including a race bib, official timing, and a finishers medal and certificate.

"This is an exciting opportunity for little athletes to experience the thrill of running across The Canberra Times Canberra Marathon finish line and share the great sense of achievement with their family and friends," Fairfax Event's Head of Sport Sarah Young, said.

Owen Doherty, 11, opted to join the adults in the event's longer runs instead.  The running festival offers a 5 kilometre, 10 kilometre, and 50 kilometre "ultra marathon" course.

Participants who aren't quite ready to conquer the ultra-marathon can also try the 42.2 kilometre classic Canberra Marathon, and the 21.1 kilometre half marathon.

"I normally do [5 kilometres] on Saturdays and sometimes I do training here on Sundays. I'll probably just train normally hard for the running festival," Owen, who is opting to do the 10 kilometre run, said.

"I don't really prepare ... I just show up."

Aside from promoting health, fitness, and community participation, the running festival also aims to raise $200,000 in 2019 for more than 300 local community groups and charities. So far, it has raised nearly $35,000.

Last year, the event raised $160,000.

"The Canberra Times Australian Running Festival is Australia's most iconic running festival and encourage runners of all abilities to travel from across the country and overseas to take part," Ms Young said.

"We are inspired by the collective commitment of thousands of people achieving their personal best, and we encourage entrants to challenge themselves in preparation for this exciting event."