SURF COAST CENTURY 100km/50km
Entries Open for Incredible Surf Coast Century Ultra Marathon
Press Release / 06.03.2017
Rapid Ascent is excited to announce that entries are open to the 2017 Surf Coast Century, an incredible ultra marathon that takes competitors on a journey along remote beaches, below towering sea cliffs and through the captivating wildflower hinterland of Victoria’s Great Ocean Road region.
The sixth edition of the Surf Coast Century will start and finish in Anglesea on Saturday 9 September, with over 1,000 runners from around Australia and overseas expected to participate in the 100km and 50km, solo and team events.
The Surf Coast Century has built a solid reputation as one of Australia's must-do trail running events; there’s no other 100km course like it in the world - it features spectacular scenery and remote wilderness; competitors run past lighthouses, waterfalls, tall tree ferns, and along renowned surf beaches such as Bells Beach.
It is also considered to be an ideal event for those tackling their first ultra marathon; the course is challenging yet achievable, event logistics are easy and the event vibe is very supportive.
In 2016 running phenomenon Kellie Emmerson of Melbourne sliced almost 15 minutes off the course record she created the year before, winning the 100km Surf Coast Century for the third year in a row, in just over nine hours.
Emmerson is excited to have been appointed as the Elite ambassador for 2017, and is ready to pass on her training expertise through regular blogs and media opportunities.
“I love this race! You'd hope so after running it three times in a row! It's fast, it's beautiful and it's achievable,” Emmerson said.
“Whether you're in a team of two or four, or running solo, this is a race that everyone can have a go at. I love that there are plenty of options and there’s always a temptation to step it up the following year. There's beach, there's trail, there's sweet single track and there's fire road. This is a magnificent coastline, there's a beautiful sea breeze and stunning wildflowers. Get excited, you're going to love it.”
The 100km course can be completed by individual runners or relay teams (of up to four competitors). There’s also a 50km solo option that makes the step into ultra-distance races easier for those not quite ready to tackle the full 100km.
The course is very accessible for support crews and friends to clap and cheer runners along the way, as well as several checkpoints and race kitchens for refuelling.
“The Surf Coast Century is an awesome experience! The scenery throughout Leg 1 and 2 is amazing, especially the line of head torches along the beach and the sun illuminating the cliff tops at sunrise. There’s such a great atmosphere and everyone’s so supportive, the race staff, other competitors, and all the support crews throughout the course. It was the perfect way to run my first ultra marathon,” Nina Morrison, 2016 Surf Coast Century competitor.
The course design is a figure eight with Anglesea being the start, half way point, finish and the event hub. This enables great spectator access the whole way around which lends itself to a really supportive event atmosphere.
“My Surf Coast Century delivered the most memorable, challenging and personally satisfying day I think I've ever had. Pristine beach, torturous hills, peaceful bush land - it offered up everything and did it a way that makes me want to go back and do it all over again,” Angela Hann, 2016 Surf Coast Century competitor.
The event is organised by Rapid Ascent, an adventure sports event management company that is well-known for hosting challenging and professional off-road events.
“We are so excited to be providing the sixth edition of the Surf Coast Century,” said Event Manager Sam Maffett from Rapid Ascent.
“The variety in the terrain and scenery of this course is so unique and we encourage anyone who hasn’t done it before to come and enjoy it. We recommend it to runners tackling their first ultra marathon as it’s not overly hilly or technical, so if you’re keen to do a 50km or 100km run, this is the perfect event for you,” said Maffett.
The event weekend kicks off with an elite athlete Q and A on Friday 8th September at the Anglesea Riverbank Park event expo, the racing begins early Saturday 9th with the 100km mass start on Anglesea Main Beach, and continues through the day and into the night as all runners cross the finish line. Sunday features the ever popular Kids’ Run, the fourth round of the Victorian Trail Running Series as well as the official Surf Coast Century presentations.
To register or find out more about the Surf Coast Century visit www.SurfCoastCentury.com.au
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