Century delivers another feel-good day

MORE than 1,400 runners put foot to ground and participated in the Surf Coast Century over the weekend.

The 14th edition of the Century began on the sandy shores of Anglesea Main Beach and took competitors to Torquay along the beach. They returned along the clifftop tracks and hinterland trails to Moggs Creek and Aireys Inlet, before heading back to Anglesea on the Surf Coast Walk trail, via Point Roadknight.

 

Half the field competed in the 100km or 50km events as solo runners, while the remaining field participated in a relay team of two, three or four runners, covering approximately 25km each of the 100km course.

Carl Harrison and Zoe Manning were crowned winners of the 100km ultra marathon, placing first and second overall in times of 09:01:45 and 09:15:25, respectively.

“It was the greatest start. I was feeling really fresh along the beach and through the rock hopping, but as I reached leg three — it was a killer,” Harrison said.

“I took the lead early on and didn’t expect to be running the remaining km’s by myself — lucky it was beautiful out there!”

Hot on Harrison’s heels was Manning, who at just 23 years, and in only her second attempt, took out her first ever ultra.

“It was a stunning course. I’ve never really run in this type of environment before, so it was something new to try and definitely worth it,” she said.

“It was such an amazing experience, but it hurt a lot.”

 

Aidan Ford (04:01:00) and Jade Bucklow (04:39:44) were both first-time ultra race competitors and victors in the 50km event.

Ford was inspired to take up trail running after watching a documentary.

“I got home one night from work, turned on Netflix and watched a documentary on Nedd Brockmann and I was like ‘Maybe I’ll wake up in the morning and run a halfa’, and two weeks later, ‘Maybe I’ll do a marathon’,” he said.

“So, I did 41km around my neighbourhood; didn’t take any food or water so felt pretty sick afterwards. But I thought, ‘If I can do that, maybe I can get through a 50km ultra’.”

 

Rapid Ascent general manager Sam Maffett said the spirit of the Surf Coast Century was alive at every checkpoint and every finish-line embrace.

“Seeing competitors push through the highs and lows with so much positivity, and seeing supporters lifting them with cheers of encouragement, is what makes this the feel-good ultra,” he said.

“Congratulations to every runner, and a huge thank you to the volunteers, locals and supporters who helped make this another incredible edition of the Surf Coast Century.”

The 2026 edition of the event is set for Saturday, September 12, with entries to open early next year.

For more information and the full results, visit surfcoastcentury.com.au