Afterglow shines on the Surf Coast

THE 11th Afterglow Night Run has gone down as one of the biggest and best yet, with 650 donning their brighest colours for a good cause.

Rainbow runners from across Victoria sported outfits from full blown unicorns to wild pink hairs to leotards and tutu’s all to raise awareness and funds for Sexual Assault and Family Violence Centre in Geelong.

Athletes set off from Point Addis and adventured along the Surf Coast Walk into Torquay, passing saxaphone players, fire twirlers and cheering supporters.

In the marquee 21km half marathon, young gun Archie Fifoot recorded the second fastest time ever on course, winning the men’s division in a time of 1:20:38.

Surf Coast local and past winner Nicole Virant was victorious in the women’s category with a time of 1:36:15.

In the 13km distance, local Jan Juc resident, Kevin Chisholm won the mens, while Yarraville resident Jess Barrette took the women’s title.

The 5km saw a new course record with Jan Juc resident Sahara Lowdon crossing the line in 18:18. Second place went to Jan Juc’s Pip Harper and third place was taken out by Torquay’s Kai Vague.

Race director and Anglesea resident Chris Ord said organisers were proud to see so many people donning their bright colours and supporting the prevention of gender-based violence.

 

“We’re really proud of our event partnership with SAFV Centre and Respect Victoria.

“It’s early days and while we raised a bit of money by donating $5 for every participant who got their nails painted at bib collection, we hope to grow the event and amounts raised in future with more individual fundraising.

“We want to really get the conversation going around preventing sexual assault and family violence while also promoting safer environments for women when they go for a run.”