ANZAC Day Challenge
After a hugely successful inaugural event, entries to the second annual ANZAC Day Challenge opened in December, with organisers also announcing that the event has partnered with leading veterans support service Soldier On for the 2016 event, held before ANZAC Day on Saturday 23rd April 2016.
Staged on a spectacular course of scenic trails through the Kuringai and Garigal National Parks in Northern Sydney, the ANZAC Day Challenge invites participants to cover the gruelling 100km course in 24 hours and raise funds to support injured defence force personnel. Due to demand organisers have also added a range of other shorter distances and events for participation.
The 2015 event raised over $130,000 for defence veterans and Soldier On Chairman, LTGEN Peter Leahy, expects the partnership between the Challenge and Solider On will create awareness and raise funds for veteran’s issues.
“Soldier On is very proud to partner with the ANZAC Day Challenge under the banner ‘Commemorate, Challenge, Care’ to help our wounded warriors. It’s events like this that show the men and women of our defence forces that we will always have their backs and their sacrifices have not gone unnoticed,” said Peter Leahy.
The event will begin at the Manly-Warringah War Memorial Park at Manly Dam, alongside the lakeside war memorial. After paying their respects, participants will line up on the start line for the first leg of 35km, finishing at St Ives Showground – also known as the ‘event hub’.
The second leg is made up of 25km and the third and final leg is the longest, pushing participants to the edge with a 40km trail. All three legs of the scenic course feature spectacular Sydney sandstone escarpments, hidden bush tracks and majestic water views that take your breath away.
Participants return to the event hub at the completion of each of the trail legs and to finish the entire Challenge. Family and friends are able to base themselves at the event hub, allowing them to cheer on their loved ones as they tackle the brutal charity challenge, with the Showground illuminated for the entire event. The atmosphere is electric, featuring ‘pump-up’ music for competitors, a changing leader board of runners and cheers of support. The event hub also has race administration and registration, parking, bathroom facilities, bag drop and onsite food and beverage vendors.
There is a 24-hour time limit placed on the Challenge, making it accessible to people who may wish to trek the course.
Organisers have also added three other distances for people who are working their way up to tackling the 100km event. The Hill 60 Challenge (25km), the Nek Challenge (40km) and the Lone Pine Challenge (65km) have been added to the roster, all names after a significant Gallipoli campaign battle.
Specific details about the different course structures are available on the event website.
There are no qualifications required to participate in the Challenge, however there is limited capacity, so people are encouraged to register early to avoid disappointment. The event will be fully supported and include a medical team and regular aid stations along the course.
The ANZAC Day Challenge has been created by the Born To Run Foundation and operated by Big Run Events. The event aims to raise funds Soldier On and forms a part of the Sydney ANZAC Day celebrations.
Interested participants can now register on the website to ensure a place in this momentous event. All participants are encouraged fundraise to support Soldier On.