Trail curious? Surf Coast marathon adds beginner-friendly option

THE organisers of one of the Surf Coast’s best-known trail events are trying to draw more locals off the pavement and onto the region’s coastal tracks.

The Surf Coast Trail Marathon has introduced a new 8km entry-level distance, designed to open the event up to first-timers, families and the “trail-curious”.

Starting at Urquharts Beach, the course begins with a short stretch of sand before climbing onto clifftop singletrack, winding past Sunnymeade Beach, Split Point Lighthouse and into Aireys Inlet, before finishing alongside the event’s longer distances at Fairhaven Surf Life Saving Club.

Event director Chris Ord said the addition fills a long-standing gap in the program.

“We’ve always lacked that shorter distance that would attract beginners, kids, families and the trail-curious. It’s something very achievable for all, not just those who train the house down,” he said.

“The nature of the Surf Coast Walk, which forms the backbone of the course, means a traditional 5km isn’t really viable, so we went with the next best thing: the shortest distance possible that just happens to also traverse one of the best sections of the run.”

 

Only 100 runners will be able to take part in the inaugural 8km, with limited capacity due to the event’s bus-to-start logistics.

Ord said organisers were keen to see more locals embrace the event as their own.

“We’re hoping to encourage more from the Surf Coast and Geelong region to make the event their annual local trail outing,” he said.

“Hopefully the new 8km distance will lure the locals to their backyard trails.”

The event returns on 20 June, with its established 42km marathon and 21km half marathon also on the program.

More than 600 runners took part last year, generating more than $500,000 in direct visitor spending, with more than 80 per cent of participants travelling from outside of the Surf Coast.

Entries are open via surfcoasttrailmarathon.com

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