Trail runners light up Surf Coast

 

The Surf Coast in Victoria is set to glow, glitter and glam it up with an announcement that the Black Diamond Afterglow Night Trail Run will return on Saturday 26th November, 2016, attracting up to 700 runners attired in their disco ball best.

Sporting everything from bad-taste tight-and-bright leotards (that’s just the blokes) to glow-in-the-dark costumes, runners will shine their night lights on the Surf Coast Walk, choosing to run either a 21km or a 12km route, both finishing in Torquay.

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Last year the event proved such a hit with serious and fun runners alike, that it doubled competitor numbers from its inaugural outing, breaking down the perceptions of trail running as a hardcore, mountain-staged pursuit, and re-casting it as a fluorescent family outing.

“The trail running is some of the best, most accessible to be found in the state,” says co-race director and Torquay resident, Peri Gray. “But what we love the most is the vibe created when hundreds of runners compete more vigorously to see who can dress the brightest – or most inappropriately – than they compete to win the run!”

“Watching a wave of florescent diving into the bushy singletrack at the start line at Point Addis is a sight to behold,” says Gray, who expects this year’s crowd to pump up the volume of their run attire to new volumes.

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Runners will again be greeted on course with plenty of entertainment to help the kilometres pass, including saxophonists, a didgeridoo player playing in the sand dunes and eighties DJs appropriately spinning retro funk tunes.

“We purposely theme our event way over the top to provide a different running and very social experience,” says Gray. “It’s one welcoming of runners new to the trail, or indeed to running!“

While most enter the Afterglow Night Trail Runs for fun and frivolity, those at the pointy end still prove handy on the hop, with Olympian Craig Mottram still holding the half marathon Afterglow course record, sitting just over 1 hour 18 minutes.

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Australia’s only night-time half marathon distance trail outing will take place on 26th November. Details and entry at: www.afterglowtrail.com.au/

Afterglow is supported by the Surf Coast Shire via its Major Events Grant Program, along with Black Diamond, Tailwind Nutrition, Surf Coast Trail Runners, Bomboras Kiosk, The Happy Runner, Torquay Sports Medicine Centre, The Geelong Running Company, Kongo Industries, Adventure Types, Tour de Trails and Trail Run Mag. www.afterglowtrail.com.au

Mt Buller

Surf’s up for Saucony Trail Marathon

Sporting a new headline partner, the Saucony Surf Coast Trail Marathon is returning on 25 June with hundreds of runners set to roller coaster along the spectacular cliff tops ranging between the surfing mecca of Torquay and Fairhaven, in Victoria’s south-west.

Surf Coast Trail Marathon 2015

Now in its third year, the event is expected to attract more than 600 competitors tackling a choice of 43km or 21km distances.

Last year’s competitive field saw a record-breaking and back-to-back win by Australian trail running marathon champion, Kellie Emmerson, in the women’s, and a record-breaking win by Mathieu Dore in the half distance. This year, Dore is stepping up a rung to attempt a swipe at the marathon crown while the absence of Emmerson due to travel commitments leaves the women’s title wide open.

In the men’s marathon, racers will be chasing the unbroken record time of 2 hours 58 minutes, set by Brett Colemen in the inaugural event in 2014. The women will chase Emmerson’s 3 hours 38 minutes mark from 2015.

Both are impressively quick times given the course is judged by most as a tougher than it looks on paper, with two beach sections and the undulating nature of the trail testing legs and lungs.

“Of course there’s plenty of coastal beauty to pull you alongthe course in between,” says organiser (and Trail Run Mag editor), Chris Ord.

“In particular the section from Urquhart’s Beach up to and underneath the towering Split Point Lighthouse I think is a great running section with awesome views,” says Chris nominating his favourite stretch when marking the course. Surf Coast Trail Marathon 2015

This year’s event will bring a small but for many, welcome, change with organisers testing a new finish line.

“Traditionally we finish atop the stairs at the Fairhaven Surf Lifesaving Club,” says Chris. “And while for many that is a favourite, quirky if tough finish, we have decided to make this year a little ‘easier’ finishing on the sands of Fairhaven Beach – great for sprint finishers and for the finish line photo, given the lighthouse looms on the horizon.”

Created to put a spotlight on the Surf Coast Walk while also raising funds for the local Anglesea Primary School – last year raising $2000 –  the Saucony Surfcoast Trail Marathon appeals to both trail and road runners, with a high percentage of first time marathoners and half marathoners signing up. The event also injects solid funds into the local economy, with patronage resulting in an estimated economic stimulus spend of more than $135,000 by visitors in a traditionally quiet period for tourism on the Surf Coast.

This year there will be the addition of an after-party sponsored by the Aireys Inlet Pub and local Rogue Wave Brewing Company, with live music featured.

Organisers are encouraging runners to sign up immediately with a cap on race entries and more than two thirds sold.

logoEnter at www.surfcoasttrailmarathon.com.au and stay up to date on event news by subscribing to the Facebook feed at www.facebook.com/surfcoasttrailmarathon.

The Saucony Surf Coast Trail Marathon is supported by Saucony, the Surf Coast Shire, IO Merino, Bomboras Kiosk, Surf Coast Trail Runners, Trail Run Mag, The Happy Runner, The Running Company Geelong, Tailwind Nutrition, and Kongo Industries. The event is produced by Tour de Trails.

SURF COAST WALK SHINES IN THE AFTERGLOW OF A NIGHT TRAIL RUN

It was fluorescent lights at 100 paces plus on the Surf Coast in Victoria on the weekend, with a sell-out 500 runners glamming it up for the unique event that is the Black Diamond Afterglow Night Trail Run.

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Sporting everything from bad-taste tight-and-bright leotards (and that was just the blokes) to glow-in-the-dark costumes that would have Cyndi Lauper or Boy George smiling with inspirational pride, runners shone their night lights on the Surf Coast Walk, choosing to run either the 21km course or the 12km route.

More than doubling numbers from its inaugural outing last year, the Black Diamond Afterglow Night Trail Run proved a hit with serious and fun runners alike, the latter vibe being the dominant take-away in an event that has broken the mould of a traditionally hardcore, mountain-staged pursuit.

“It was a real sight, watching the first batch of runners disappear down the trail at Point Addis, a wave of florescent diving into the bushy singletrack at Addiscot Beach,” said Race Director, Chris Ord from Tour de Trails, a running event and tour company based on the Surf Coast.151129 Afterglow Samuel Costin 0123

This year the twilight-night trail run added a 12km outing to the traditional half marathon (21km) line-up, to further entice those new to trail running. Runners were greeted on course with plenty of entertainment to help the kilometres pass, including two saxophonists, a troupe of African drummers, a didgeridoo player playing in the sand dunes and two DJ’s appropriately dubbed the Soul Mamas, spinning the eighties decks at the finish line.

“We purposely theme our event way over the top and out there to provide a different running and social experience,” says Chris. “It’s one very welcoming of runners new to the trail, or indeed to running! The most consistent feedback we get is how happy everyone is to be there, dressed in their glowing best, and the vibe that comes out of that being so easy and welcoming for people. “

Hundreds of runners got into that vibe with plenty of effort going into their retro, eighties – some would say bad taste – fashion on the trails, with the event gaining its own ‘mascot’ this year in the form of a ‘trail running rainbow unicorn’ as sighted on the official event tshirt (and by others somewhat dubiously actually out on trail).151129 Afterglow Samuel Costin 0492

While most ran for fun and frivolity, the winner Francesco Ciancio still clocked a handy time of 1:23:40 for his half marathon win, only five minutes shy of last year’s Olympian winner, Craig Mottram. In second place was Birregurra (Vic) local Steven Page (1:29:40) followed by Colac (Vic) resident, David Lipman (1:31:54).

In the women’s a Torquay (Surf Coast, Vic) local took line honours, with Renee Lane – fresh from a stellar third place in an international Japanese marathon and first place in the Great Ocean Road Marathon – taking the win in a time of 1:36:34. Her performance was enough to also deliver her fifth place overall (male or female). Behind Lane was fellow Surf Coaster, Loretta McGrath (Torquay, 1:41:19) and in third Wendy McAlpine (Sandringham, Vic, 1:42:49).

The 12km saw both blistering outfits and blistering times, with the women taking it to the men. While the first place getter was Kevin Chisolm (55:51), second overall (and first female) was Geelong’s Aleara Wallace (1:00:00). Andrew McDowell was second male, third overall (1:00:53) while Danni Rogan, from Truganina, Vic, scored second female and fourth overall (1:01:38). Third male was Paul Dickson (Geelong, 1:03:15) with Di Jorgensen (Clifton Springs, 1:07:05) registering third female in the 12km.151129 Afterglow Samuel Costin 1117

Special mention goes to a quartet of 12 year olds, including Isabella, neice of Jan Juc, Surf Coast, local Maggie Bufe who along with her three friends Ava, Chloe and Isabella, took on the 12km course.

Says Isabella’s Aunt Maggie: “Isabella found the event online and as I live in Jan Juc thought it would be fun to do with her friends.  They all love to run.  Her mother, brother and myself all cheered them on from the sidelines.  They had a ball and all achieved fantastic results, especially for their age group Under 20s.”

Isabella Bufe was 1st female in her division with Chloe Joubert 3rd, Ava Lansell 4th and Isabella Mangano 5th. Notably they all ran an extended 13km course, a fun option for 12km runners who wanted to run longer to see the didgeridoo player in the sand dunes.151129 Afterglow Samuel Costin 0416

“Isabella did extremely well, having never run 13km before,” says Maggie. “She finished 10th overall and 4th female overall with a time of 1:08:15.

The unique event remains Australia’s only night-time half marathon distance trail outing, and will take place again in 2016, on 26th November.

All results for the race are available at: www.afterglowtrail.com.au/results/

Afterglow is supported by the Surf Coast Shire via its Major Events Grants, along with Black Diamond, Tailwind Nutrition, Surf Coast Trail Runners, Bomboras Kiosk, The Happy Runner, The Geelong Running Company, Kongo Industries, Adventure Types, Tour de Trails and Trail Run Mag.

www.afterglowtrail.com.au

TOUR DE TRAILS’ next event is the inaugural three-day Tassie Trail Fest in Derby, Tasmania. Check it out HERE.

 

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Trail Run Mag Edition 18

Night Trail Run shines light on Surf Coast

After successfully (and rather brightly) lighting up the Surf Coast in its inaugural outing last year, the unique Black Diamond Afterglow Night Trail Run is back again to shine a night light on the Surf Coast Walk.

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Pace picks up as the sun goes down. IMAGE: Sam Costin.

This year the twilight-night trail run is adding a 12km outing to the traditional half marathon (21km) distance, to further entice those new to trail running, to the Surf Coast or to night running to enjoy a journey into the “beautiful blackness”, as Race Director (and TRM AU Editor, #disclaimerdone),  Chris Ord dubs it.

“There’s something special about running when the sun is just setting and you experience the full spectrum of daylight ebbing into night – the deep blues and purples and the way the environment changes its hues – it’s a special experience, especially on the Surf Coast with the ocean at your shoulder the whole way,” says Chris, adding: “And especially when you’re running with hundreds of others dressed in garish fluorescent yellow get ups and you’re running to the beat of a troupe of African Drummers, or you crest a hill to the chest-puffing melody of a Phil Collins number being played by a live saxophonist!”

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What colour to wear to Afterglow? Anything so long as it blinds people. IMAGE: Sam Costin.

The references of on trail playfulness characterise the Black Diamond Afterglow event, one that gained instant popularity with its glow in the dark thematics and retro, eighties – some would say bad taste – sense of fashion on the trails.

“Afterglow is about having fun, dressing up, enjoying a special running experience in a context that creates a vibe unlike any other trail running event. Even when the serious runners turn up – like Olympian Craig Mottram did last year – they get into the playful spirit. Even Craig wore a frog headlamp on his head, not something he would have done at the Olympic or Commonwealth Games!” notes Chris.

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Yes, that’s Craig Mottram running Afterglow. Yes. That’s a frog on his head.

Mottram still clocked a handy time of 1:18:28 for his half marathon win in 2014, notching a significantly hard-to-beat target time for those runners still wanting to have a go.

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Final beach stretch before running into a rowdy DJ hosted finish line. IMAGE: Sam Costin.

“That’s a handy 3:44 minutes per kilometre average which on trail and lugging a frog on your head is impressive,” says Chris. “But really, Afterglow isn’t so much about speed, it’s about encouraging people to enjoy the Surf Coast Walk at twilight, and in general to get out and run on trails rather than on the road – especially when it’s night. That’s why we have added a 12km distance this year, so those who aren’t quite up to running half marathon distances can still get out and enjoy the night run with us.”Mt Buller

The 2015 edition of Black Diamond Afterglow Night Runs will take place on Saturday 28 November, with runners beginning at Point Addis (21km) and Southside (12km) and running along the Surf Coast Walk, back into Torquay to finish at Bomboras Kiosk, Fisherman’s Beach (Torquay Angling Club). Logistics have been taken care of by event organisers, with buses shuttling all runners from Torquay to each of the start lines, allowing runners to run back towards their cars parked at the finish line.

Runners Katharine Rahdon and Richard Rahdon, Jan Juc. (Photo: Samuel Costin)

Runners Katharine Rahdon and Richard Rahdon, Jan Juc. (Image: Sam Costin)

The unique event remains Australia’s only night-time half marathon distance trail outing, and will again finish with a carnival-like atmosphere, with retro Surf Coast DJs Soul Mammas along with a Geelong saxophonist playing on course, and ‘glow-themed’ trimmings along the course and at the finish.

ENTRIES ARE OPEN AND LIMITED IN NUMBER so register now to ensure your place.

www.afterglowtrail.com.au

Afterglow is supported by the Surf Coast Shire via its Major Events Grants, along with Black Diamond Equipment / Sea to Summit, Tailwind Nutrition, Surf Coast Trail Runners, Bomboras Kiosk, The Happy Runner, The Geelong Running Company, Sweet Cheeks, Thir, Kongo Industries, Adventure Types, Tour de Trails and Trail Run Mag.

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Surf’s up for new trail marathon(ers)

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A newly launched trail marathon will shine the spotlight on Victoria’s stunning Surf Coast Walk, with runners being enticed off road by a course that takes in impressive coastal scenery, including a short run along world-famous Bells Beach.

The inaugural Surf Coast Trail Marathon will take place on Saturday, 28 June, 2014, with marathon runners starting at Torquay, an hour south west of Melbourne, and finishing 42.2km further west on the beaches of Fairhaven, located on the world-renowned Great Ocean Road.

There is also a half marathon course being offered, beginning from Point Addis, and a relay team option allowing two runners to complete half of the marathon course each.

“This is the perfect event for any kind of runner eyeing off one of the two quintessential running distances,” says Chris Ord, from trail running tour company, Tour de Trails, which will manage the event. DISCLOSURE: Chris is also the Australian editor of Trail Run Mag.

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“For road marathoners, it offers a first taste of what trail running is about, without being intimidating as it is a relatively non-technical, non-remote, non-mountainous course. For experienced trailites, the route still features stunning wilderness with coastal viewpoints and it represents a truly go-fast course with plenty of twists and singletrack turns.”

The event is expected to attract both the trail running and road running fraternity along with Ironman/woman and triathlete competitors looking for a target run in their off-season.

“This is an inclusive run where the inspiration is more about participation and enjoyment than winning, per se. It’s all about celebrating the trail running lifestyle and the fact that we are lucky enough to have such beautiful trails at our doorstep to run on.”

From iconic Bells Beach to the clifftops of Point Addis and Anglesea and on to Split Point lighthouse at Aireys Inlet, Chris believes that the course will become renowned for the sheer experience of journeying through the unique Surf Coast environment.

“We thought that a run along the Surf Coast Walk, encapsulating its entire length from Torquay to Fairhaven, was a good way to highlight just how good the walk itself is. Hopefully runners and their supporters will come back to the coast to enjoy it again and again,” says Chris, who believes his home region offers up some of the best non-alpine trail running in the state.

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He notes that the Surf Coast has already been put on the trail running map by established trail running events the likes of the Surf Coast Century Ultra, Bells Bash, Tim Gates Memorial Run and the Roo Run in Anglesea.

The Surf Coast Trail Marathon will benefit local organisations with a percentage of each entry fee going towards three Surf Coast beneficiaries, including the Fairhaven Surf Lifesaving Club, where the event finishes, and the Anglesea Primary School.

“I wanted to ensure locals benefited,” says Chris. “My daughter goes to the Anglesea primary school and they are constantly having to put on fundraisers to pay for things like teachers aides, school garden food programs and the like. I wanted to do my bit. And the Fairhaven Surf Lifesaving Club has been kind enough to host us at the finish line, and they do amazing work keeping the beaches safe in summer – they deserve to be supported, too.”

Some funds will also go back into supporting the trail and environs via the Great Ocean Road Coastal Committee.

Entries have opened for the Surf Coast Trail Marathon and can be purchased through ticketing partner Eventbrite at www.surfcoasttrailmarathon.com.au.

Runners can stay in touch on Facebook at www.facebook.com/surfcoasttrailmarathon

What:              Surf Coast Trail Marathon, 42.2 + 21.1km off road marathon

Where:           Surf Coast Walk, Torquay – Fairhaven, Surf Coast Shire, Victoria

When:             Saturday 28 June, 2014

Enter:             www.surfcoasttrailmarathon.com.au

The Surf Coast Trail Marathon is supported by the Surf Coast Shire, Patagonia, The Running Company (Geelong), Runners Kitchen, Kongo Industries, Lisa Tamati Bespoke Jewellery, Adventure Host, Adventure Types, Trail Run Mag, Tour de Trails and Eventbrite.

DISCLOSURE: The inaugural Surf Coast Trail Marathon is being sponsored by Trail Run Mag and its publisher, Adventure Types, and in part is has been created by Trail Run Mag Australia editor, Chris Ord.