Hundreds turn out for You Yangs Off Road Festival

THE You Yangs Off Road Festival returned on Sunday with a sold-out event.

More than 500 people headed to the You Yangs Regional Park to participate in the festival, which included both duathlon and trail running events.

The duathlon involves a mountain bike leg followed by a run and then another mountain bike with a long course and a short course, which could be completed as an individual or in a team.

Trail runners could choose between the 10km, 7km and 4 km courses.

Owner of PB Events and race director Justin Higgins said there was a range of experience levels on the day.

“A lot of first timers just trying something different and a lot of runners who were also trying something different over the winter and having a go at a duathlon.

“I suppose there was two main groups here: beginners and the experienced triathletes.”

Mr Higgins said one of the highlights of the event was seeing people outside enjoying themselves in an active environment.

“The trail run in particular, was quite hilly, so you could see and feel the sense of accomplishment as people crossed the finish line.”

Mr Higgins started the festival in 2014, with this year’s event marking the second year of its return since COVID and a significant increase in numbers.

“People are definitely getting out there, and this was a little bit different.

“I think it’s one of the only, if not the only, off-road duathlon in Victoria, so we had people coming from all over the state to take part.”

Tristan Mioni took out first place in the men’s Dirty Duathlon long course with a time of 1:53:59, followed by Adam Conquest and Emmanuel Hovette.

In the women’s long course, Charlotte McShane crossed the finish line first, completing the course in 2:01:03, with Monique De Abreu finishing second and Kate Bramley in third.

In the trail runs, finishing first were Ethan Baker and Sarah Jackson in the 10km, Sam Averill and Jennie Dearnaley in the 7km and Lockie Bootsman and Alicia Protetto in the 4 km.

For full race results, head to pbevents.com.au