Surf Coast Trail Marathon lacing up for 10th year

THE Surf Coast Trail Marathon will reach its milestone 10th edition next Saturday with just under 1,000 runners expected to take part in the annual event.

Race director and owner of Tour de Trails, said this year’s Trail Marathon, being held on June 15, says he is grateful so many avid and new runners choose to enter the event.

“There are enough deep bush and big ocean highlights to keep experienced trail runners happy but it’s also a very safe course, with plenty of support, meaning those just starting out on their marathon journey or new to running off road can be confident that it’s within their capabilities,” Mr Ord said.

“I love the fact that so many runners choose Surf Coast as their very first half or full marathon, or their first trail run altogether.

“The event and their experience then often become the catalysts for an enduring love affair with running trails and just as importantly, sparks a connection with nature.”

With more than 800 runners expected to brave the chilly winter conditions, participants will run the length of the Surf Coast Walk from Torquay to Fairhaven.

Runners can choose to enter either the full marathon distance (42 km) solo or as a relay team of two, or the half marathon distance (21 km).

Entering the 10th year of the event, Mr Ord has had a chance to reminisce about the Trail Marathon’s early years, an event he was prepared to invest his life savings in.

“It feels like only yesterday that we took a gamble – I literally banked against my mortgage – to put on the first event,” Mr Ord said.

“It was early days in the trail running boom, and my very first time helming an event, and I’m not ashamed to say that back then I was very much ‘feeling my way’.

“We’ve tightened up our roll out since then and we’re now chuffed that the Surf Coast Trail Marathon has become a regular and favourite outing for trail and road runners from across Australia.”

This year’s event has also garnered an abundance of community support.

Supporting businesses and organisations include the Surf Coast Shire, naming sponsor Brooks Running, Tailwind Nutrition, Surf Coast Trail Runners, Melton City Runners, T8, Salty Dog Cafe, The Aireys Pub, Salt Brewing, Flowstate Craft Brewing, Runly, The Happy Runner and Active Feet Geelong & Ocean Grove.

For more details and how to enter this year’s Surf Coast Trail Marathon head to surfcoasttrailmarathon.com.au