Surf Coast Century is ready to run

LONG distance runners across the state have reason to celebrate, as the Surf Coast Century has been given the go-ahead.

The ninth edition of the ultra-trail marathon will take place on the weekend of December 5-6 at Anglesea.

Race organisers Rapid Ascent had postponed the event from its original September 19 date.

Last Sunday (November 8), Premier Daniel Andrews announced a series of new restrictions, including that from 11:59pm on November 22, outdoor gatherings of up to 50 would be able to be held.

This enabled Rapid Ascent to hold the event under modified conditions. General manager Sam Maffett said he was delighted by the opportunity.

“We genuinely love what we do here at Rapid Ascent – conducting races that put smiles (and grimaces) on people’s faces in some beautiful parts of the country, and our dream was to enable runners to do what they love before the year is out,” Mr Maffett said.

“We know many participants have put their heart and soul into this race – as have we – and we cannot wait to deliver these running dreams come December.”

The Surf Coast Shire approved the event, and Surf Coast Shire Environment and Development general manager Ransce Salan said the shire was pleased to be able to assist Rapid Ascent in holding the event.

“After many months of event cancellations, we are so excited that the Surf Coast Century – a hallmark event for our region – can go ahead in 2020,” Mr Salan said.

“We are proud to support local event management company Rapid Ascent as a leader in the return of mass participation events and we will continue to work closely with them to ensure the event is delivered in a COVID-safe way.”

To ensure the event meets COVID-safe protocol, runners will start in waves of 40 every 20 minutes.

To accommodate this, the 100km solo and 50km solo events will be held on Saturday, December 5, and the 100km relay event on Sunday, December 6.

There will be no support staff or spectators permitted to attend the race and the ceremonies at the end of the event will be conducted exclusively via Facebook Live.

The trail itself will prove more familiar. It will start and finish in Anglesea, taking participants on a loop of the Surf Coast that showcases the best of the hinterland and the coast.

It will go as far east as Torquay and as far west as Moggs Creek.

Limited places remain for the solo races.

To register or learn more about the event, head to surfcoastcentury.com.au.