CBR100 Challenge: fun, fitness and friends

Posted on 18 November, 2015

In March this year, the inaugural CBR100 Challenge saw individuals and teams of three explore Canberra’s 145km Centenary Trail, walking (and, in some cases, running) 25km, 50km and 100km. And while most participants saw it as a fun way to get fit, spend quality time with friends and explore our city, it really was so much more.

The stories that emerged were of participants pushing out of their comfort zones, of creating bonds with friends-cum-teammates, and of emotional journeys. My friend Kersten did the 100km walk and shared how she was inspired by her mum’s 3000km trek as a teenager (when she was 13, she and her family fled Russia and travelled to Bavaria on foot; they lost her youngest brother on the journey).

Whatever your motivation, walking or running the CBR100 Challenge is a pretty amazing way to see Canberra in a different light. The Centenary Trail weaves its way around iconic sites, hidden treasures and national institutions and is divided into sections, spaced for walkers and bike riders.

So, what’s new for 2016? After a huge first year event, organiser Kimberlee King from Earlybird Events says the focus has been on listening to what challengers want in the event and delivering a bigger and better event.

“We are implementing an excellent timing system, with timing splits at each check points throughout the course and live results. There’ll also be extra support in the lead up to the event, including training sessions with A’hern Fitness and an event briefing night for those unsure of what to expect,”

You can also expect a new point-to-point 50km course, meaning less road and more bush, and better course markings and more accurate distances. This can be pretty important when you’re mentally preparing yourself to stop dead at a certain distance, only to find there’s still a little way to go (as with marathons, course distances are rarely bang on the ‘official’ length.)

This year’s event saw many first-timers use the CBR100 Challenge as an ‘aspirational event’; in 2016, Kimberlee is also encouraging more serious runners to see the event as a great option to push themselves.

“The CBR100 Challenge would suit trail runners but also those that might have done a half marathon (or marathon) and are looking for something a bit different. The courses are certainly very different to the usual tarmac races and we guarantee challengers will  never get bored!” she says.

WILD lite… My CBR 100 story

The 2016 CBR100 Challenge will start at Campbell High School on Saturday 5 March, with the 25km and 50km challengers making it back that evening and 100km trekkers due in by 1pm the next day. You can see each of the courses here.

If you’re keen to find training buddies, join our CBR100 Challenge Facebook group – it’s a great way to keep in touch with the organisers and each other!

the essentials

What:  CBR100 Challenge
Where: Centenary Trail
When: 5-6 March, 2016
Register: Registrations are open now! Discounted early bird rates are available until 4 December so register now to access this special rate. 
Web: www.cbr100challenge.com.au

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