THE 29th running of the iconic Cohuna Bridge to Bridge event is set to take place early next month with the event raising funds for the Cohuna District Hospital.
The Factory and Field Waffles 29th Cohuna Bridge to Bridge event is taking place on Sunday March 6, with an estimated 400 runners and riders expected to compete across seven events.
What originally started as a bet between locals in the 1980s has grown to the event that runs today, with the committee for the 2022 event auspiced by the Cohuna Neighbourhood House after a long stint being organised by the Cohuna Lions Club and more recently the Cohuna and District Progress Association.
Event Director Kirstin Nicholson said she and the committee have been hard at work ensuring that the event is all good to go for March 6, with the event regularly drawing in a lot of tourists to the Gannawarra.
“We are looking forward to it, we have been really lucky to host the event over the past couple of years and are hoping to host the Bridge to Bridge again with no issues,” she said.
The event this year coincides with the Campervan & Motorhome Club of Australia Solos Network Rally which has meant that the event has had to make a few changes to the kids’ running event.
“We have made a few compromises to work alongside the rally, which has primarily meant that the kids’ event will now be a Kids K 1km race instead of the usual Mini miler 1.6km race,” she said.
The Kids K is alongside the other running events which include the 6.5km run/walk, the 12.5km trail run as well as the half marathon trail run.
For those looking to utilise pedal power instead, there is also a 6.5km junior cycle event as well as a 25km cycling event and the 50km cycle race with seven events being held over the course of the day.
The event will also have a village with coffee, hot food, music and stalls to cater for those who aren’t competing with the event having something to cater for all members of the family.
Money raised from the event goes directly to the Cohuna District Hospital, with the last three years’ events raising upwards of $37,000 for the hospital, and there is hope that this year they can raise a lot more.
“We liaise with the hospital about what they are in need of and how we can best assist them,” she said.
“This year we are aiming to purchase a new cardiac monitor for their PACU recovery suite.”
The event has regularly been well supported by the community not only locally with people often travelling to the region especially for the event after hearing about how much it helps the local community.
“The community really rallies behind the event and we are lucky to have so much support year after year,” she said.
Entries for the Cohuna Bridge 2 Bridge are available until 4pm on Saturday, March 5. Events can be competed virtually if unable to make the event – entries needing to be completed between March 6 and March 19.
