This town is made for walking. There are so many beautiful walking trails that let us experience the glorious contrasts of the capital: rugged hills, lush valleys, sparkling lakes and more. We recently shared some of our favourite walks, and among them is the rather amazing 145km Centenary Trail – a legacy of our first 100 years, it weaves its way around iconic sites, hidden treasures and national institutions and is divided into sections, spaced for walkers and bike riders.

If you haven’t already discovered the Trail, there’s never been a better time to get walking, with the announcement of the CBR100 Challenge – an event that will see locals and visitors alike join the ACT Chief Minister and other prominent Canberrans in walking up to 100kms of the newly-completed Trail to raise funds for the Heart Foundation.

Kimberlee King from Earlybird Events, who created the event, says it offers the ideal opportunity for Canberrans to get out and explore the Centenary Trail over the weekend of 21-22 March next year.

The CBR100 Challenge will start and finish in the brand new Westside precinct at Acton Park, and the 100km route is expected to take in panoramic views from the National Arboretum and Mount Ainslie, before travelling out to the northern border and back via a hidden single track alongside Parliament House.

“The great thing about this event is that we have distances to suit most people – you can walk 25km, 50km or the full 100km distance,” she says.

“We also expect to have a few keen local athletes who will run a 50km or full 100km track, and hope to attract quite a few out-of-town participants as well.”

The Chief Minister is taking on the 25km event, and so am I – I’d love if we could get a HerCanberra group together. As Kimberlee says, “there’s an amazing camaraderie and great thrill that results from overcoming a challenge and achieving a big goal as part of a team.

“If you’re looking for a fun way to get fit with friends, support a worthy cause and explore some of Canberra’s best scenery, then the CBR100 Challenge is the perfect opportunity,”

“And for those who have not attempted a long distance walk before, we’ll be providing a comprehensive training and nutrition program as well as advice on equipment and preparation.”

Make sure you keep an eye on HerCanberra as Kate Freeman shares her tips for getting nutritionally set for the CBR Challenge! And, in the meantime, start walking (read our tips here!)

the essentials

What:  CBR100 Challenge
Where: Centenary Trail
When: 21-22 March, 2015
Register: Registrations are open now!
Web: www.cbr100challenge.com.au