Changes announced ahead of Surf Coast Century

A BIG change to one of the region’s biggest running event is being hailed a toast to the coast, with race event company Rapid Ascent adding to its list of gender equity initiatives.

Rapid Ascent general manager Sam Maffett said the company had implemented more strategies to ensure more equity and support for female participants.

“While we have always prioritised and celebrated equality, we recognise the importance of advancing towards true equity.

“Supporting female participation has always been important to us, however enhancing gender equity and levelling the playing field is the natural next step.”

Rapid Ascent has confirmed it is making several changes to its events, beginning with its largest alteration for the 13th edition of the Surf Coast Century ultra marathon, to be held on September 21.

“Based on race data over the past four years, there are clear differences in performance between male and female participants,” Mr Maffett said.

“And as such, we will be adjusting the names and cut-off times for the time-based ‘stein’ award – to better accommodate the difference in genders.”

The one litre beer stein has historically been awarded to runners who finish the 100km ultra marathon in under 12 hours, on top of a smaller stein for those finishing under 16 hours, regardless

of gender.

Due to global race data that shows proportionally women are 10-13 per cent slower than men in running events, Rapid Ascent stein requirements for females have been changed to 13 hours and 30 minutes for the one litre stein, and 18 hours for the smaller stein.

Men’s cut-off times will remain at 12 hours and 16 hours respectively.

“These adjustments aim to ensure fair recognition of all participants’ efforts, and also reflect on broader trends seen in other sporting events and world records,” Mr Maffett said.

“We also recognise that women who have achieved the original milestones at the Century, including instances where women have outperformed men, but acknowledge that these are outlying performances that are the exception and not the norm.

“Anna McKenna for example, did a world class run in 2021 and won the Century outright by 35 minutes!”

The one litre stein will be renamed ‘Bells’ and the smaller stein is now named ‘Addis’.

Rapid Ascent’s current initiatives at its race day events include women’s-cut apparel options, equal use of male and female photos, female-led aspects of event management such as MCs and

key staff.

Other new policies to be introduced range from pregnancy refunds and transfers to designated female-only toilets and change-rooms to enhanced female training programs.

For more information on the changes, head to rapidascent.com.au