Disclaimer: The information in this article is general in nature and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health professional before starting any exercise programme or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
A pink wave of walkers, runners and prams
Each Mother's Day in Australia, parks across the country fill with people in pink. Some are pushing prams, some are chasing a personal best, and plenty are simply walking arm-in-arm with mum. They're all there for the Mother's Day Classic — a community run and walk raising money for breast and ovarian cancer research.
The 2026 event is on Sunday 10 May, with up to 70 events around the country — from the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney to Alexandra Gardens in Melbourne, Lennox Gardens in Canberra, and Charles Paterson Park in Perth, plus dozens of regional towns. If you've been thinking about doing your first organised event, this is one of the most welcoming on the calendar.
What the event actually involves
Depending your local event, you may have multiple options:
- 4km walk or run — the classic option, doable for most people without training.
- 8km walk or run — a step up if you're already walking regularly.
- 12km timed run — for runners who want a longer effort.
- Half Marathon (Melbourne only) — new for 2026.
Most people pick the 4km walk. You don't need a training plan, you don't need fancy gear, and there's no minimum pace — kids, prams, dogs and grandparents all welcome.
How to register
Registration is online at mothersdayclassic.com.au. Pick your city, pick your distance, and you'll get a bib and an event pack. If you want to bring family along, the group discount of 20% off four or more registrations in one transaction applied up to Sunday 3 May 2026, but standard registration is still open in the lead-up to event day at most locations.
If you can't make 10 May in person, the event also runs a Your Way option — you walk or run your own route, on your own schedule, and still raise funds.
What to expect on the day
In the bigger metro events, you'll find an event village with entertainment, music, food stalls and a charity area — it has a festival feel rather than a serious race vibe. Smaller community events are quieter but just as warm. Expect:
- An early start. Most events kick off between 7am and 9am. Arrive 30–45 minutes early to find parking and your start area.
- A sea of pink. Many participants wear the event shirt or their own pink gear. Comfortable layers work best — May mornings are cool across most of Australia.
- A relaxed pace. The walks aren't timed, so you can stop, take photos, and enjoy the morning. Runners use a separate timed start.
- Tributes. Many participants walk in memory or honour of someone. The atmosphere is celebratory but quietly meaningful.
How to prepare if you're brand new
For the 4km walk, most adults can simply turn up. If you'd like to feel more confident, the Heart Foundation suggests building up gradually — even an extra 15 minutes of walking a day can meaningfully reduce heart disease risk for nine in ten Australians. A few 20–30 minute walks in the week before the event will have you feeling fresh on the day.
For the 8km or 12km run, a couple of weeks of easy preparation helps. Our guide to preparing for your first 5km covers the basics — and the principles scale up.
On the morning itself: eat something light an hour or two before, drink water, wear shoes you've already broken in, and don't try anything new (gear, breakfast, caffeine) for the first time on event day.
Why this one is different
The Mother's Day Classic has been running since 1998 and more than 1.7 million participants have raised $48.23 million for breast cancer research, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. It's also one of the most accessible events in the country — multiple distances, walk or run, and venues in capital cities and small regional towns alike.
For a lot of first-timers, it ends up being the gateway. You finish your 4km, you feel surprisingly good, and a few months later you're signing up for parkrun or a local fun run. If that sounds familiar, our piece on the benefits of running for a cause is worth a read.
Make a morning of it
The best Mother's Day Classic plans tend to be the simple ones. Pick a location near a café or breakfast spot. Bring the family. Walk slowly. Take a photo at the finish. Then sit down somewhere with mum and have a long, unhurried breakfast.
If you're looking for other walking and running events near you year-round, browse events on KeepActive or find a walking group in your area to keep the momentum going after Sunday.
