Canberra turned 100 years old today (well, actually tomorrow, but we celebrated the birthday today). For 30 of those years, the Sri Chinmoy 10km Race has been held from Acton Ferry Terminal, and has become a regular feature for the city’s running community, many of whom would still run along the beauteous Lake Burley Griffin even if there was no race. (They wouldn’t get pancakes, however.)
On this Centenary day, race organisers were not sure of what to expect. With so many events surrounding us, would the people of Canberra be preoccupied at the world’s longest bubbly bar or the balloon festival, or would they celebrate the day by converging on Acton Ferry Terminal?
It soon became clear that many were keen to take advantage of the excellent weather (one of Canberra’s great qualities over the past 100 years) and enjoy the 10km and 4km races. In fact, we had the largest field in our 30-year history!
It was a race that came together well, despite the hints of foreboding. There was a faint greyness in the sky, which – accompanied by weather reports – suggested that the sunshine wouldn’t last forever. Would we have enough breakfast for this record field? Would we run out or water? (Well, probably not… but cups were a different matter.)
Happily, the Sun continued to shine. If anything, it provided an extra challenge for the runners. As they headed back along the cycle path – hopefully in time to enjoy the procession of veteran cars, as they drove to the rally at the nearby National Museum of Australia – the day was becoming convincingly hot.
Cups? Relax, there were plenty. Pancakes? We were convinced that our supplies wouldn’t last, but as the last runners enjoyed the breakfast, we were left with a single pancake.
Congratulations to all who participated today, and congratulations too, to Canberra for your first Century!
Full results are published for both races.