Inward Bound is a unique, volunteer-run adventure footrace, challenging the physical and emotional endurance of participants and providing a safe and exciting opportunity to explore the Australian wilderness, aiming to foster a love of trail-running, navigation-based events such as rogaining, and the beauty of the natural environment.
Based on World War 2 survivalist training intended for downed pilots, the event starts with teams of four being disoriented and transported blindfolded to an unknown remote location in the surrounding Canberra area. Each team are provided maps, course notes and a set of coordinates which will give them the location of the finish line. Each year the course and the finish line for the event will change. Previous locations have included the Orroral Valley (ACT), Maloneys Beach on NSW’s South Coast, and Denison Campground in the Kosciuszko National Park (NSW). After disembarking their buses, the teams, generally in the middle of the night, use simple map-and-compass navigation techniques to quickly determine their location (“Dropsite”) before running anywhere from 30 km to 100 km to a given location (“Endpoint”), racing against other teams, receiving no assistance.
Participants will rely extensively on the support and camaraderie of their teammates to overcome the various challenges that the course will force them to face.
Leadership, navigation, and survival skills are just some of those that participants will acquire and months of rigorous pre-event training necessary to compete promotes a fit and healthy lifestyle (which, for most, will continue, long after they cross the finishing line).
With over 60 annual races having been held to date, thousands of young people regard Inward Bound as a memorable and life-changing part of their experience of Canberra and Australia. The 2024 race is expected to have over 300 runners consisting of ANU students and alumni, with over 500 spectators eagerly waiting to cheer their arrival at Endpoint and many more following their progress online.
Race Organisers regard safety as paramount and teams must carry various items of mandatory safety gear, including medical supplies and emergency communication devices which allow them to contact the Race HQ if they require assistance.
The generous permission of landholders to allow runners to follow tracks/trails on their land ensures that participants are rewarded with breathtaking scenery and challenging route choices. We furthermore take our responsibilities as organisers seriously and seek to ensure that all appropriate land permissions are ascertained and “leave no trace” principles are followed by all participants and event staff.
Inward Bound is sanctioned by the Australian National University and ANU Sport and forms an important part of the Inter-hall Sport calendar.