Surf Coast Trail Marathon
Can a Surf Coast Trail Marathon Help Save a Rainforest?
Press Release / 20.06.2018
The Surf Coast region is gearing up to host its biggest-ever crowd of trail runners at this year’s Brooks Surf Coast Trail Marathon, which takes place on Saturday 30th June from Torquay to Fairhaven along the Surf Coast Walk.
This year’s event – the fifth edition – heralds a new partnership with locally-based ethical outdoors company, Patagonia, and puts the question to all participants: “can trail running help save a rainforest?” That is the focal question raised in Patagonia’s newly produced documentary, ‘Takayna’, which will screen as part of race weekend festivities. The film features a trail running activist, Nicole Anderson, along with well-known environmentalist, ex-Greens Party leader and MP, Bob Brown, campaigning to save the Tarkine wilderness in north west Tasmania, using trail running as a tool in the fight to save the environment.
The film will be shown during race bib collection on the Friday night prior (29th June, 7.30pm) at Patagonia Retail Store, Surf Coast Highway Torquay. All members of the community are welcome to attend, even if not participating in the run. Check Patagonia’s website for details.
The screening will provide inspiration for up to 700 runners braving wintry conditions to run a marathon from Fisherman’s Beach, Torquay to the Surf Life Saving Club at Fairhaven. Alternatively, some will run a half marathon beginning at Point Addis.
The Brooks Surf Coast Trail Marathon was conceived to shine a spotlight on the Surf Coast Walk and also serves an ideal warm-up run to the Surf Coast Century trail ultra in September, which also uses the Surf Coast Walk and is operated by locally based events company Rapid Ascent. Between them, the two major events have put the Surf Coast region firmly on the map for Australia’s trail running community, the region becoming a major destination for runners training year-round.
“Given our proximity to Melbourne, and the plethora of trails and other activities on offer from surfing to paddling and mountain bike riding, the Surf Coast really has become an outdoor adventurer’s playground and events like ours bolster that messaging. It is an ideal destination for those training for the Surf Coast Trail Marathon or indeed a multitude of other trail events around Australia. The trails of the Surf Coast have driven regional visitation hugely,” says Chris.
This year’s Surf Coast Trail Marathon welcomes a new headline sponsor in Brooks Running, one of Australia’s largest running shoe brands who have partnered with local running retailer, The Happy Runner, in Torquay, to present the event. It also welcomes on board Suunto, the world’s leading run watch technology brand, who will present the first-place winners, male and female in both distances, with a brand new Suunto 9 GPS watch – only just released on the market.
“What we are most proud of,” says Race Director Chris Ord, “Is the fact that the Surf Coast Trail Marathon has become both a proving ground for some of Australia’s best trail runners, but also a crucible for those just getting into trail running. We tend to have a high number of first-time marathoners, half-marathoners and even first-time trail runners using the beautiful but safe natural environment of the Surf Coast to begin their journey in trail running. So we make sure we cater for all levels of runners and welcome everyone along the Surf Coast Walk, no matter how fast or more leisurely paced,” says Chris.
Runners travel from across Australia and the globe to participate in the Brooks Surf Coast Trail Marathon, with entrants registered from afar afield as the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States and New Zealand along with every Australian state represented.
There will be an event after-party held at The Aireys Pub featuring live band The Connotations from 8pm.
More information and entries (on day entries only after Wed 27th June) at: www.surfcoasttrailmarathon.com.au
The Brooks Surf Coast Trail Marathon is supported by Brooks Running, Patagonia, Suunto, the Surf Coast Shire, IO Merino, Salty Dog Cafe, Surf Coast Trail Runners, Trail Run Mag, The Happy Runner Torquay, Tailwind Nutrition, Pro Feet Podiatry, Torquay Sports Medicine Centre, Aireys Pub, Rogue Wave Brewing.
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