Suffer on Centennial!

Anyone else thinks the prairies need a gnarly point to point 100km?  We do! 

*Website update is currently in progress. Expect things to be fully updated by mid December when details are finalized!

 Date: *Saturday May 25/24

 Distance: 100km, 100km relay (2-6 runners), 50km, 25km, 8km

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

Classic Canadian Shield running on a mashup of sweet single track and flowy runnable trails, with less than 1km of roads!  All 4 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 100km option!  Of note, the first half of the 100km 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.   Highly recommend completing a 50km prior to hopping on the 100km train.

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!

Registration - Opens Jan. 7 2023 at 0800 

Early Bird Entry Fee 2023: 

    -7km $45.00 CDN plus tax and service fee

    -25km $95.00 CDN plus tax and service fee

    -50km $135.00 CDN plus tax and service fee

    -100km $225.00 CDN plus tax and service fee

  Whats included:

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

   -Medals from Aravaipa Artworx for 25/50km finishers

   -Custom Trophies from Aravaipa Artworx for 100km finishers

   -Suffer on Centennial Shirts for 25/50/100km and Relay Runners

   -Custom patches for 8km finishers

   -Shuttle Transport to start for 50km and 100km runners

   -Suffer on Centennial decal

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

   -Professional Photographers on Course

   -Donation made to fund trail improvements in the Whiteshell

   -Stocked Aid Stations

   -Collect UT of MB points

    -Updated Ultrasignup ranking

-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!

100k/100km Relay Route

Date: May 25/2024

GPX: https://www.strava.com/routes/3149952760684387266/export_gpx

Strava Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3149952760684387266

The 100km is a point to point route that starts at Alfred Hole parking lot.  

Leg #1 - "So the Journey Begins" 16.5km with 240m of elevation gain following Centennial Trail Southeast towards McGillivray Falls.  This section has a relatively flat elevation profile until you hit the out and back, with a few scrambley sections.  It is mostly runnable with plenty of rock slabs and few technical spots.  Its pretty open so keep your head on a swivel looking for course marking!  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.  There will be pickup and dropoff for relay runners here but again NO PARKING!

Leg #2 "The Little Red Bridge"  16.2km with 287m of elevation gain. 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.  Its after this section that things start to get technical! 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,  32.7km  into your run at the Bear Lake parking lot which requires you to cross PTH 44.  Here you will have crew and bathroom access. Be warned that parking is limited! 

This will be the end of Leg 2 for relay runners.

Leg #3 "To the Falls!" - 19.5km with 370m of elevation gain.  From here you continue down Bear Lake trail as an out and back to a designated turn around, where you will be required to mark your bib with a hole punch. 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 with washroom) at just shy of 39km.  13.5km to the next aid station!  

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 take a left down to the McGillivray Falls Parking Lot where you will have aid station, crew and washroom access. 

To be continued....

25km and 8km route descriptions coming soon. 

Package Pickup:

  -TBD

Schedule: -100km/Relay start 0600  Alfred Hole Parking Lot

                   -50km start 0800  McGillivray Falls Parking Lot

                   -25km start 1000 Falcon Trails Parking Lot

                   -8km start 1100 Falcon Trails Parking Lot

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

Finish: Falcon Trails Parking Lot for all race distances

Awards: These will be done at the Finish Line at Falcon Trails Parking Lot depending on when finishers arrive!  Top 3 in all race distances along with first place Male, Female and Mixed teams 

Parking: Located at the Falcon Trails Parking Lot. 

Shuttle:  We will have shuttle options as a $10 add on for 100km and 50km participants, from the Falcon Trails Parking lot. 0445 for the 100km and 0700 for the 50km.  Relay runners will be expected to have their own transport to the start and transition zones (it is a team effort!)

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!  For 100km runners we will also have more substantial food (salted potatoes, perogies, hot noodles and other typical ultra fair) at the McGillivray Falls aid station, along with a few "real food" options at the later aid stations! 

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 50km and 100km 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.   25km and  8km 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.