Ocean Grove runner powers to victory in Lorne Mountain to Surf

OCEAN Grove’s Sebastian Asher and Yarra Junction’s Sarah Klein claimed the male and female titles respectively at this morning’s (Friday, January 12) Lorne Mountain to Surf run.

Asher covered the 8km course through the hills and forest trails of Lorne in 23:36, narrowly in front of Daniel Dunscombe (23:46) and Tom Bowers (23:50).

The men’s winner said he was thrilled with the victory after finishing sixth in the event in 2023.

“I wasn’t thinking that I was going to win it today, no way. I’m pretty stoked to win it,” Asher said.

It’s always a really hard run up the hills but it’s a really good run. Great conditions, no wind, really just perfect.

“It’s currently peak triathlon and running season so I’m keeping very fit. Next on the agenda is the Pier to Pub tomorrow!”

Klein blitzed the women’s field by more than two minutes in her first Lorne Mountain to Surf.

She finished with a time of 26:04, ahead of Brooke Williams (28:02) and Angela Williams (30:14).

Klein said she was able to find a great rhythm throughout the race and finish off consistently.

“I haven’t done it before so it was nice to get out there and get the hills done in the first couple of kilometres.

“It was a beautiful run along the little creek, and back on the Great Ocean Road – it was amazing.

“Coming down to the Surf Coast this time of year, the weather, the environment that we’re in, the people we’re around the atmosphere are just awesome.”

The Lorne Mountain to Surf started a super weekend in Lorne, which will culminate in tomorrow’s (Saturday, January 13) Pier to Pub swim event.

The Pier to Pub will feature one of the best elite fields to appear at the event.

Both returning champions, Hayden Cotter and Lani Pallister, will be going for five Superfish titles in a row.

The action begins at 11am, and the Superfish elite divisions will hit the water at 2.45pm (male) and 3pm (female).

For full results from the Lorne Mountain to Surf, head to multisportaustralia.com.au/races/lorne-mountain-to-surf-2024