The harder you have to work for something, the sweeter the rewards.

Every runner who participated in the inaugural Sri Chinmoy “Tidbinbilla Thriller” will attest to this truth.

This newcomer to the Sri Chinmoy Canberra Trail Series made a stunning debut. Entering the stage as the curtain of light mist rose to the sounds of blissful birdsong, attired in the most dazzling Autumn day imaginable, jubilant sunshine bathing the hills in glory, Nature exuberant in every movement and stillness, each sound and hush, cheering each excruciating uphill and exhilarating downhill…

Nestled in the foothills of the Tidbinbilla Range, 3 courses offer 3 banquet options, each with its own enticing menu: the short 3.4km loop of exquisite single track through lush bushland; the middle distance 6.8km extension of the Congwarra Trail venturing to the flank of the hillside with a single robust bent-over climb and stretching of the legs downhill; while the Deluxe Banquet long course 11.8km offers the complete circuit replete with gut-busting zigzagging ascent, breathtaking views across to the Brindabellas you feel you could almost reach out and touch, a series of swooping thrilling descents, alighting to return through the embrace of the bush and the sanctuary of Webbs picnic ground with its proud Finish Arch, smiling watermelon, nourishing lentil burger and the gently soothing sounds of Tidbinbilla River reminding you of your achievement.

Being the premier staging of this event, every winner in every category now holds a course record! Cherish these records while you can because one thing is for sure: crowds will return to feast on the Tidbinbilla Thriller, and challenge themselves to inscribe their own names in the record ledger. See you next year!

New course record holders:

3.4km (short course)

Girls Under 13 – Aya Rattray, 18:53
Girls Under 17 – Jacinta Thomsen, 21:41
Female 17 and Over – Melanie Clarke, 22:08
Boys Under 13 – Alex Botticchio, 16:17
Boys Under 17 – Felix Botticchio, 14:50
Male 17 and Over – Gareth Candy, 16:23

6.8km (middle distance)

Male Under 50 – Kodi Clarkson, 26:20
Male 50-59 – Aston Duncan, 31:08
Male 60-69 – Richard Honey, 39:39
Male 70 and Over – Trevor Jacobs, 47:00
Female Under 50 – Louise Sharp, 31:58
Female 50-59 – Narelle Smyth, 35:42
Female 60-69 – Patricia Blumstein, 53:17
Female 70 and Over – Deirdre Lemerle, 55:35

11.8km (long course)

Female Under 50 – Brittany Harriden, 56:40
Female 50-59 – Shiree Yap, 1:27:23
Female 60-69 – Pam Muston, 1:21:38
Male Under 50 – Jarrod Sopniewski, 51:46
Male 50-59 – David Sitsky, 58:30
Male 60-69 – Ian Prosser, 1:10:28
Male 70 and Over – Peter Fogarty, 1:26:56