Running for the rainforest this weekend

THE Surf Coast is gearing up to host a big crowd of trail runners at this weekend’s Surf Coast Trail Marathon, which will run between Torquay and Fairhaven.

This year’s event – the fifth edition – marks 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 new documentary Takayna, which will screen tomorrow (Friday) in Torquay as part of race weekend festivities.

The film features trail running activist Nicole Anderson and environmentalist, ex-Greens Party leader and MP Bob Brown campaigning to save the Tarkine wilderness in Tasmania, using trail running as a tool in the fight to save the environment.

The screening will provide inspiration for up to 700 runners braving wintry conditions to run a marathon along the Surf Coast Walk fro Fisherman’s Beach, Torquay to the Surf Life Saving Club at Fairhaven. Some will run a half marathon beginning at Point Addis.

The 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 walk and is operated by locally-based events company Rapid Ascent.

Between them, the two major events have put the Surf Coast 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,” race director Chris Ord said.

The screening of Takayna will take place during race bib collection at the Patagonia store on the Surf Coast Highway on Friday June 29 from 7.30pm. All members of the community are welcome to attend, even if not participating in the run.

For more information on the Surf Coast Trail Marathon (entries will be accepted for the marathon on the day), head to surfcoasttrailmarathon.com.au.