Course record falls at this year’s Shifty Fifty

DESPITE a wet leadup to this year’s Surf Coast Shifty Fifty, more than 300 participants turned out for the event, with one rider breaking the course record.

Last Saturday (May 11) riders headed off from Anglesea with the option of completing the 50km ride, known as the shifty fifty, or the 25km ride, referred to as the shifty shorty.

Event co-coordinator Brett Coleman said the event was a fantastic success and they were happy with how it went.

“Everyone there was just buzzing and the whole village being within the discovery camp, made it a really chill but high energy event, especially leading up to it and also at the finish as well,” he said.

 

Dominic Paolilli took out first place for the men in the 50km race, setting a new course record with a time of 1:55:47.

Katriina Downer came in as number one for the women’s 50km event, completing the course in 2:24:45.

 

Once riders left the village in Anglesea they headed towards the Eumeralla Mountain Trail Network trails where they completed the majority of the race.

Mr Coleman said around 75 per cent of participants at this year’s event were from outside the Surf Coast.

“We had an enormous amount of great feedback afterwards about the rider’s enjoyment of the trail, they really loved it,” he said.

 

Mr Coleman said despite the amount of rain that fell in the days leading up to the race, the tracks were in great condition, crediting the clubs work in the six weeks leading up to the event.

“The track held up really well, it had actually been getting a bit dry, so it made it a little bit firmer, it was perfect conditions for the race.”

The event also raised funds for the Surf Coast Mountain Bike club which goes towards maintaining the trails in the area.

This was the fourth year the race returned to Anglesea in a joint event with the Surf Coast Mountain Bike Club and Big Hill Events.

The majority of the race was held along the Eumeralla Mountain Trail Network.