Marks and Pashley win Mountain to Surf

More than 2,000 people completed the grueling eight-kilometre run.

Monash University student Edward Marks won the male category while Surf Coast physiotherapist Ellie Pashley won the female category for the second consecutive year.

Marks stormed to the finish in just 23 minutes and 40 seconds. He said he was pleased he had the stamina to hold on to finish first.

“It feels pretty good, it’s a bit of a surprise. I just took out the first couple of hills pretty fast, maybe a bit too fast, I felt it later in the race but managed to hold on.”

Close behind Marks was Ben Kelly who finished in 23 minutes and 57 seconds, and Alexander Ritchie who completed the race in 24 minutes and one second.

Former race winner Nicholas Wightman finished in fourth overall, but first in the Senior category.

Pashley’s time of 26 minutes and 27 seconds meant she finished over two-and-a-half minutes quicker than her nearest competitor.

Pashley said her past experience running the track certainly helped her. “It was really dry so it was a lot less slippery than normal. I’ve run that track a lot of times so I feel like I know it pretty well. Although I did nearly go off the edge at one point but it’s good fun.”

The battle for second was close, as Annabelle Eastman, Sophie Ryan and Karla Treweek all finished within 20 seconds of each other. Eastman ended up clinching second with Ryan took the final spot on the podium.

More than 150 runners were also given the new Mountain Goat award for completing 10 or more Mountain to Surfs.