The announcement of two new off road running events to be held
in the Surf Coast Shire promises to deliver an economic boon to the
region off the back of a boom in trail and ultra running event
participation.
It has been announced that Anglesea will host the grand
finale round of the ground breaking Salomon Trail Run Series, which
debuted last year, plus it will host an all new ultra endurance
trail running event, the inaugural 100km Surf Coast Century.
Both events will be held on the weekend of 22-23 September, 2012
and entries are now open online at www.salomontrailseries.com.au and www.surfcoastcentury.com.au.
The hugely popular Salomon Trail Running Series will come to a
climax in Anglesea with its fourth and final event for the year
featuring short (~8km) and long (~14km) course options.
A huge success in its inaugural year, the Salomon Trail Run
Series was a watershed movement for Australian trail running with
its offering of shorter but always spectacular courses paired with
easily accessible race locations, a tradition continued in the
selection of Anglesea as host.
"We specifically cater to those runners new to off road
courses," says Sam Maffett, General Manager of event company, Rapid
Ascent. "We want to make trail running accessible to the masses and
enjoyable for all, so we have developed courses that are not overly
technical, yet run mostly on single track trails through beautiful
parks and bushland areas - a brief more than fulfilled by the Surf
Coast."
"Trail running is a growth sport, one that really increases the
fun factor of running in general. We also found in last year's
series that it encouraged more people to out into the outdoors,
into places that are nearby but they had never got around to
visiting - the events gave people an excuse to explore a new world
of local parks and bushlands that had been 'under the radar'. And
we reckon that anything prompting people to enjoy and appreciate
the environment is a good thing!"
The Salomon Trail Run Series Round 4 at Anglesea will be held
on Sunday 23 September.
Ultra running for all...the inaugural Surf Coast Century
While the Salomon Trail Run Series caters to those just getting
into the sport, the Surf Coast region's newest event, the Surf
Coast Century, looks to open the door to more serious trail run
achievements.
'Ultras' are runs of more than the traditional marathon distance
(42.2km), in the case of the Surf Coast Century, a mammoth
100km.
Set for Saturday, 22 September, the Surf Coast Century will
start and finish at the river mouth in Anglesea and will explore
tracks and single trails including sections of the Surf Coast Walk
that take runners on a journey under some of the tallest cliffs and
most beautiful beaches in Australia, before mixing up the terrain
with hinterland bush and fern fringed stands of Eucalypt.
While the single track quality of what pundits say will be a
'quick' 100km course - sub-ten hours - is set to attract many
experienced solo ultra runners, all looking to snatch the inaugural
course record, the relay teams category of between two and four
runners will give those new to ultras a taste of what endurance
sports are all about.
The Surf Coast Century promises to become a mainstay on the
burgeoning national and international ultra marathon circuit, with
a unique and spectacular course that runs past lighthouses,
waterfalls, scenic lookouts, renowned surf beaches (including
Bells), surf life saving clubs, remote wilderness and almost
everything in between.
"There's headlands to traverse, cliff top and bottom trails,
sweeping singletrack ensconced in coastal flora, all coupled with
jaw-dropping views across the southern seaboard," says Race
Director and local Torquay adventure identity, John Jacoby. "We're
hoping the mix of terrain and the varied format will establish the
Surf Coast Century and one of the Southern Hemisphere's must-do
trail running events and the Surf Coast as a must visit destination
for all."
The Surf Coast Century encompasses a figure eight course,
ensuring plenty of spectator opportunities with ease of access to
checkpoints and other viewing areas for friends and family to cheer
along their runners.
"With the course starting and finishing on the beach backing on
to the Anglesea township, there is plenty of great local food,
accommodation and entertainment options to make a holiday of the
occasion, and we expect many will make a long weekend of it,
providing a valuable tourism injection into the local economy,"
says Jacoby.
The Surf Coast Century offers one of the biggest prize purses in
Australian ultra trail running, with $1000 plus a Suunto Ambit GPS
watch (RP$650) going to the 100km solo winner, plus a raft of
prizes for category winners.
Familiarisation day with Surf Coast 'ultra ambassador'
Organisers are planning to hold a familiarisation day on the
course with a date set tentatively for 5 August, allowing runners
to get a taste of the course. They will also benefit from the
knowledge and expert advice from event ambassador, Julian Spence,
an Anglesea local who just happens to be one of Australia's elite
ultra runners, having won the 2011 Great Ocean Walk 100
ultra.
Information and entries are now open at www.surfcoastcentury.com.au