Trail tradition continues for Little Cruisers

THE Surf Coast Century attracts runners from across Australia, but few know the course quite like the Little Cruisers.

The Anglesea relay team is preparing for its fourth consecutive appearance in the ultra-trail marathon event, which winds through the beaches, forests and cliff-top tracks on their doorstep.

Made up of Graham Sammells, daughter Eliza Sammells, Serena Gallagher and Jacques du Preez, the Little Cruisers have built the event into an annual tradition, sharing the challenge as a relay team while supporting one another around the course.

The team’s connection to trail running began when Eliza introduced her father to the sport about five years ago.

“I’ve always enjoyed running, but trail-running adds the dimension of terrain, single tracks and hills – both up and down,” Graham said.

“Serena is a good friend of Eliza’s, and Jacques is a close friend of mine through work.”

He said being able to complete the challenge as a team was one of the reasons the group kept returning to the event.

“We all stay together at my place and have good vantage points to cheer each other along the way,” Graham said.

“None of us could handle the 100km on our own, and the team event is a great way to see what the ultra-runners go through.

“They are so inspiring, even if they’re a little crazy too.”

 

This year’s race will mark a milestone for the team, who will have collectively experienced every leg of the 100km course across their four appearances.

“Crossing the finish line together is always a highlight, as is cheering on at the changeovers,” Graham said.

“We can literally walk to the start/finish line and the runners even go past our house on leg 1 and leg 2.”

The 15th edition of the Surf Coast Century will be held on 12 September, with competitors able to tackle the full 100km event solo, compete as part of a relay team, or take on the standalone 50km race.

Starting and finishing in Anglesea, the course weaves together beaches, hinterland trails and sections of the Surf Coast Walk, taking runners north to Torquay before looping back through Moggs Creek, Aireys Inlet and Point Roadknight.

The 50km event follows the second half of the circuit.

Rapid Ascent general manager Sam Maffett said the event offered locals a rare chance to experience an internationally recognised trail race in familiar surroundings.

“It’s the ideal place to run an ultra-trail marathon, whether that’s on your own, or in a team – the course is in your backyard,” he said.

For more information or to enter, head to sThe Surf Coast Century attracts runners from across Australia, but few know the course quite like the Little Cruisers.

 

The Anglesea relay team is preparing for its fourth consecutive appearance in the ultra-trail marathon event, which winds through the beaches, forests and cliff-top tracks on their doorstep.

Made up of Graham Sammells, daughter Eliza Sammells, Serena Gallagher and Jacques du Preez, the Little Cruisers have built the event into an annual tradition, sharing the challenge as a relay team while supporting one another around the course.

The team’s connection to trail running began when Eliza introduced her father to the sport about five years ago.

“I’ve always enjoyed running, but trail-running adds the dimension of terrain, single tracks and hills – both up and down,” Graham said.

“Serena is a good friend of Eliza’s, and Jacques is a close friend of mine through work.”

He said being able to complete the challenge as a team was one of the reasons the group kept returning to the event.

“We all stay together at my place and have good vantage points to cheer each other along the way,” Graham said.

“None of us could handle the 100km on our own, and the team event is a great way to see what the ultra-runners go through.

“They are so inspiring, even if they’re a little crazy too.”

This year’s race will mark a milestone for the team, who will have collectively experienced every leg of the 100km course across their four appearances.

 

“Crossing the finish line together is always a highlight, as is cheering on at the changeovers,” Graham said.

“We can literally walk to the start/finish line and the runners even go past our house on leg 1 and leg 2.”

The 15th edition of the Surf Coast Century will be held on 12 September, with competitors able to tackle the full 100km event solo, compete as part of a relay team, or take on the standalone 50km race.

Starting and finishing in Anglesea, the course weaves together beaches, hinterland trails and sections of the Surf Coast Walk, taking runners north to Torquay before looping back through Moggs Creek, Aireys Inlet and Point Roadknight.

The 50km event follows the second half of the circuit.

Rapid Ascent general manager Sam Maffett said the event offered locals a rare chance to experience an internationally recognised trail race in familiar surroundings.

“It’s the ideal place to run an ultra-trail marathon, whether that’s on your own, or in a team – the course is in your backyard,” he said.

For more information or to enter, head to surfcoastcentury.com.au