THE Surf Coast is gearing up to host a big crowd of trail runners at this weekend\u2019s Surf Coast Trail Marathon, which will run between Torquay and Fairhaven.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s event \u2013 the fifth edition \u2013 marks a new partnership with locally-based ethical outdoors company Patagonia and puts the question to all participants: \u201cCan trail running help save a rainforest?\u201d<\/p>\n
That is the focal question raised in Patagonia\u2019s new documentary Takayna, which will screen tomorrow (Friday) in Torquay as part of race\u00a0weekend festivities.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The screening will provide inspiration for up to 700 runners braving wintry conditions to run a marathon along the Surf Coast Walk fro Fisherman\u2019s Beach, Torquay to the Surf Life Saving Club at Fairhaven. Some will run a half marathon beginning at Point Addis.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Between them, the two major events have put the Surf Coast firmly on the map for Australia\u2019s trail running community, the region becoming a major\u00a0destination for runners training year-round.<\/p>\n
\u201cGiven our proximity to Melbourne, and the\u00a0plethora of trails and other activities on offer from surfing to paddling and mountain bike riding, the Surf Coast really has become an outdoor adventurer\u2019s playground and events like ours bolster that messaging,\u201d race director Chris Ord said.<\/p>\n
The screening of Takayna will take place during race bib collection at the Patagonia store on the Surf Coast Highway on\u00a0Friday June 29 from 7.30pm. All members of the community are welcome to attend, even if not participating in the run.<\/p>\n
For more information on the Surf Coast Trail Marathon (entries will be accepted for the marathon on the day), head to surfcoasttrailmarathon.com.au.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE Surf Coast is gearing up to host a big crowd of trail runners at this weekend\u2019s Surf Coast Trail Marathon, which will run between Torquay and Fairhaven. This year\u2019s event \u2013 the fifth edition \u2013 marks a new partnership with locally-based ethical outdoors company Patagonia and puts the question to all participants: \u201cCan trail […]<\/p>\n