Suffer on Centennial!

 Date: Saturday June 10, 2023 - The 2023 edition is SOLD OUT.

 Distance: 50km, 25km, 7km 

 Location: Whiteshell Provincial Park 160km east of Winnipeg- Treaty No. 3 Land 

Classic Canadian Shield running on 100% single-track trails.  All 3 routes have some wicked terrain to offer, over a combination of technical, rooty and wet boreal forest, exposed granite ridge-lines, some short punchy climbs and even a few scramble sections! If you want to run across the iconic Red Bridge at Hanson's Creek, you'll have to take part in the 50km option!  Of note, the 50km is a challenging and technical course.  I won't say this shouldn't be your first ultra, but it isn't one you should come in under-prepared for, as the terrain rugged, remote and due to access logistics aid station are around 15km apart.

Centennial Trail was conceived by Vern "Skink" Dutton in the 1970's with further work done by the Scouts and Girl Guides to celebrate Manitoba's 100th anniversary. The route is now part of the Trans Canada Trail and travels from its start at McGillivray Falls to Alfred Hole Goose Sanctuary in Rennie.   Over the last few years a lot of work has been put in to reclaim the trail with the help of some amazing Stewards of the trail including the Manitoba Association of Trail Runners!

2022 was our first year hosting an event on this amazing trail, with the event selling out within four hours of registration opening, thanks so much for the support!

Registration - Opens Jan. 7 2023 at 0800 

Early Bird Entry Fee 2023: 

    -7km $40.00 CDN plus tax and service fee

    -25km $90.00 CDN plus tax and service fee

    -50km $135.00 CDN plus tax and service fee

  Whats included:

   -Some of the most rugged trails the Prairies have to offer!        

   -Custom medals from Aravaipa Artworx for 25/50km finishers

   -Suffer on Centennial Shirts for 25/50km runners

   -Trails of 'Toba silicone cup for 25/50km runners

   -Custom patches for 7km finishers

   -Shuttle Transport to start for 50km runners

   -Suffer on Centennial decal

   -Awards made by Aravaipa Artworx for top 3 Male and Female finishers

   -Donation made to fund trail improvements in the Whiteshell

   -Stocked Aid Stations

   -Collect UT of MB points

   -Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blank (UTMB) index points

   -Updated Ultrasignup ranking

The event is completely sold out for 2023.  If you are looking for a potential bib transfer please follow our Facebook and Instagram accounts as we will have updates there.  

The following outline is for general information only,  it is not intended to be a navigational guide.   Anyone that uses it as such, does so at their own risk.  The course will be marked with a combination of marking tape, cairns, permanent trail signs, and coroplast signs for race day.  There is also very minimal cell service on trail.  The trail itself has blue directional signs and at intersections will have signposts with directional arrows. If a sign says PTH 44 on it, that means its an access point going to the highway!

50km Route

Date: June 10/2023

GPX: https://www.strava.com/routes/3033624256864234252/export_gpx

Strava Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3033624256864234252

The 50km is a point to point route that starts at Alfred Hole parking lot.  It follows Centennial Trail Southeast towards McGillivray Falls.  You will first pass the 307 access point where you continue towards Rock Ridge.  Past rock ridge you will eventually get to the Powerline Access around 15km into your run, here you turn left towards PTH 44 where you do an out and back to access Aid Station 1.  This will be roughly 16.5km into your run. There is no crew access at Aid Station 1 as there is no parking. 

You continue back towards the main trail and turn left towards Telford Tower.  At Telford Tower you continue towards Telford Pond and will eventually get to the STUNNING views at the iconic red bridge near 27.5km. Continue 400m and you will hit the Bear Lake Junction.  Turn left following Bear Lake to PTH 44 where your will find Aid Station 2,  31.5km into your run at the Bear Lake parking lot which requires you to cross PTH 44.  This is the one and only spot that you will have crew and bathroom access. Be warned that parking is limited!  From here you continue down Bear Lake trail as an out and back to the designated spot (during the race volunteers will be there taking down your number/name). You will hit Aid Station 3 (your crew can see you a second time here) again at the Bear Lake parking lot (aid station 2 a second time) at just shy of 38km.  This is the last aid station before the finish with 13.5km to go!  

At this point continue back across PTH 44 and head back towards the Hanson's Creek junction.  This time instead of going to Hanson's Creek you will continue straight towards Turtle Rock.  Continue towards Lily Pond/McGillivray Falls and do the short loop at Mcgillivray falls following the Blue Highway switchbacks down to the finish line,  an you will have ABSOLUTELY CRUSHED your 50km (might be a bonus km or two...)!  The finish line is at the McGillivray Falls parking lot.   

25km Route

Date: June 10/20

GPX: https://www.strava.com/routes/3098424807472540878/export_gpx

Strava Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3098424807472540878

The 25km route is an out and back route from McGillivray Falls parking lot to Bear Lake Access and back with a loop of McGillivray Falls Trail and into the parking lot.  Its a very fun and technically challenging route with over 500m of elevation gain. 

The trail starts towards McGillivray Falls, crossing the metal bridge close to the parking lot and quickly taking a right up McGillivray Trail (Blue Highway).  After a short climb, the trail continues northwest following the blue CENTENNIAL TRAIL signs, and marker cairns.  The first major intersection you will encounter is at roughly 8.5km in,  which you continue straight towards Bear Lake and PTH 44. Aid Station 1 will be at the Bear Lake parking lot which is roughly 11.5km into your run.  This is the ONLY aid station in the 25km race.  You will have to cross PTH 44 to access the aid station  and check in with the volunteers.  After refueling head back across PTH 44 towards Lily Pond/McGillivray Falls and do the short loop of McGillivray Falls trail ending in the parking lot. 

7km Route

Date: Jun 10/2023

GPX: https://www.strava.com/routes/3098423725851873524/export_gpx

Strava Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3098423725851873524

This is also and out and back route and starts at McGillivray Falls parking lot following the same route as the 25km, but turns around at the Blue Highway Junction, and heads back towards where you started, following McGillivray Trail, then continues onto McGillivray Falls Trail.  There are no aid stations on this route!  The 7km route is a rugged trail run, but geared towards those who are newer to the sport and curious to see what this trail running community is about! There will still be some technical running (rocks, roots etc.) just a little more mellow than the others!

Package Pickup:

  -June 10 - Caddy Lake Boat Launch 0545-0900 for ALL DISTANCES.  We will NOT be doing bib pickup at McGillivray Falls Lot.  

Schedule: -50km start 0800  Alfred Hole Parking Lot

                   -25km start 0930 McGillivray Falls Parking Lot

                   -7km start 1000  McGillivray Falls Parking Lot

Pre-race Briefing: Mandatory 15 minutes before each race starts at the race start line

Finish: McGillivray Falls Parking Lot for all three distances

Awards: These will be done at the Finish Line of the McGillivray Falls Parking Lot.  

               -7km at noon

               -25km at 1PM

               -50km at  2PM

*these times are subject to change based on when top 3 finish for each event.  

Parking: The plan is for parking near the Caddy Lake boat launch.  This is 1.7km away from McGillivray Falls.  There will be NO PARKING at McGillivray Falls for participants spectators the day of the event.  This area is for drop off only.  Please allow for appropriate walking time to the start-line. We will have staff on site turning you around if you try parking at McGillivray Falls.  There will also be parking for the 50km runners at Alfred Hole if you have someone to drive you back after and pick up your ride. 

Shuttle:  We will have shuttle service to the start line from Caddy Lake Parking lot for 50km runners only.  Please show up on time for your bus as others may already be fully booked. 

Aid Stations:  Expect the usual! Tailwind and Gu gels from our friends at Big Sky Run Co., Energy Bites from our friends at Cranked Energy, fruit source bars, chips, pickles, pop, watermelon, bananas, salt tablets, stroop waffles and maybe a few others!

AS #1 Powerline - 16.5km with a cutoff of 3 hours (11AM) only 50km racers

AS #2 Bear Lake - 31.5km with cutoff of 6 hours (2PM) 50 and 25km racers

AS #3  Bear Lake - 38km with cutoff of 7 hours  (3PM)

Finish Line 51.5km 10 hours (6PM) in order to receive a finishers medal/official time.

The total cutoff for the course will be 10 hours for 50km runners, there is no cutoff times for 25km and 7km runners but everyone must be off course by 6PM. There will be crew access at Bear Lake (directions on this link will guide you to the right spot)  and we will be transporting drop bags here as well if needed. There is NO CREW ACCESS  at AS#1 as there is no parking there.  We will not be allowing pacers, or pets on course! We DO encourage spectators to come out and cheer participants on though! Poles are ok, but not likely of much advantage on this course if using poles, please be careful of other participants!  

Drop Bags/Crew - Each 50km runners is allowed one drop bag which they are to bring to the 50km start line where we will be picking them up and transporting them to Bear Lake.  You will have access to this drop bag at the 31.5km and 37.5km marks of the race.  25km and 7km racers are NOT allowed a drop bag or crew. Drop bags can be picked up after the race from Bear Lake, and those not picked up before the aid station closes will be transported back to McGillivray Falls.  Please remember to make your drop bag distinguishable from others and put your name on it!  50km runners will have crew access at Bear Lake only at km 31.5 and 37.5.  There is very limited parking at Bear Lake so if possible please consider car pooling with other crews to the location! Crew is not allowed to assist their runners in any area outside of the aid station at Bear Lake. 

Mandatory Gear: - Hydration - every 25 and 50km runner must carry AT LEAST 1.5 liters of fluid on course be it in a vest,  hydration pack or handheld bottles, and come to the event with your fluids FILLED.  If the temperatures are high we recommend 2 liters as it is a long haul between aid stations. You must also start with 400 calories be it a few gels, energy bar etc.    7km runners it is recommended to carry fluids and nutrition but not required.  Remember there is no aid station on the 7km route! 

      -Nutrition - plan adequate nutrition for the race, aid stations are there for fluids and to     assist you along the way but should not be solely relied on.

      -*This gear may change depending on forecast conditions. 

Other Recommended Gear:

  -Trail Runners preferably with a Vibram outsole as these stick well on rocks even when    

    wet,  and those wet rocks can be TREACHEROUS with the wrong shoes. Our friends at Big Sky Run Co. would be happy to help you find the right pair!

  -Hat/Sunglasses

  -Sunscreen

  -Bug spray

  -Electrolyte Tables (such as salt sticks)

  -Anti-chafe cream (body glide, nut butter, etc.) 

  -Phone (although VERY limited cell coverage)

  -GPS tracker such as SPOT, InReach

  (these can be rented locally at Wilderness Supply)

  -Whistle

  -Small First Aid kit

Washrooms: There are basic pit toilets located at both the start and finish areas and a pit toilet at Bear Lake Aid Station.  The Caddy Lake Parking lot has a number of washrooms in very close proximity.  Click here to access map with toilet locations at Caddy Lake, look for the parking lot closest to the boat launch.  Please use before going to the McGillivray Falls start line as there is only one pit toilet located there! 

Leave No Trace/Trail Etiquette: This is simple enough, pack out what you pack in! Anyone found to be littering on course will be disqualified and banned from further Trails of 'Toba events.  Although this is an individual race, please work as a team on the trails.  If you see someone in distress, please offer assistance if possible.  Be it staying with the participant until help arrives or taking note of their location and reporting it to the next aid station so appropriate support can be dispatched. 

Withdrawing from Race: If you decide to withdraw during the race, you must do so AT AN AID STATION and inform staff/volunteers that you have pulled out.  This is extremely important so we have accurate participant counts, and don't contact search and rescue for a missing person. 

Please remember, while you can cheer your friends on you are not allowed to provide any other form of support or supplies, as this risks their disqualification outside of the crewed area at the Bear Lake parking lot. 

Hansons Creek: We highly recommend this just over 7km out and back hike to the beautiful red bridge over Hansons Creek, which is one of the most spectacular hikes in the Province.  It is moderately difficult and an amazing location to cheer on you friends and family as they take on the Centennial Trail!  Pack some water, snacks and camera and get ready to cheer!  Parking is available at Bear Lake parking lot, click "Hansons Creek Route" button below for parking location and navigation via AllTrails.  The 50km runners are the only ones that cross the Red Bridge but the 25km runners also do this section up until the spot 400m from the red bridge. Please be aware of the limited parking at the Bear Lake parking lot and do not park on the road.  If you have a pet, they must be on leash at all times and kept at least 30m away from the aid station. 

There are plenty of options close to the race venue, be it looking for cabins and camping to grabbing some grub pre or post race!  Below is a link to Explore the Whiteshell which is an excellent resource to help plan your race weekend!

These folks are the reason we can make events like Suffer on Centennial happen!  Their hard work and willingness to help out are the only reason we can exist.  Remember, if there are any issues they are to be taken up event staff at the start or finish and NOT the volunteers.  Please remember though, our volunteers DO have the right to remove participants from the course if they do not meet cutoff times or they feel the participant is not fit to continue.  

If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering, we do offer 25% off of registration to our events.  Click link below if you want to take part in our volunteer team! In order to claim your volunteer discount, you must contact us PRIOR to race registration opening for the event you would like to take part in.