Pier to Pub and Mountain to Surf go virtual

Last year's Pier to Pub drew about 5,000 competitors and 20,000 spectators, but this year people are being asked not to travel to Lorne to complete the event. Photo: LEON WALKER

LORNE Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) has announced the 2021 Powercor Lorne Pier to Pub and Powercor Lorne Mountain to Surf will be held as virtual events.

Last year’s Pier to Pub involved about 5,000 competitors and 20,000 spectators.

The 41st edition of the event will be very different as competitors will upload times from a 1.2km swim on a route of their choosing. Similarly, for the Mountain to Surf event participants will lodge their best time from an 8km run.

Lorne Pier to Pub and Mountain to Surf deputy race director Tina Westacott said Lorne SLSC had been preparing for this eventuality for some time.

“Months ago, when we went into lockdown, we started working out whether or not we would be able to hold the event. We would need to have no restrictions in place to hold the event safely,” she said.

“We didn’t consider other times later in the year because it might just have been delaying the inevitable. But we want people to still train and have fun with their friends, whilst supporting the event. ”

Both events have served as major fundraisers for Lorne SLSC, and Ms Westacott said supporting the club was particularly vital this season.

“We patrol the beaches from November through to April and it’s vital for our surf lifesaving commitment to the beach that we continue to the events.”

One of the perks of the virtual events is that people can participate in them anywhere in Australia or overseas.

Registrations will open on November 2. Once people register in either event, they are sent a link to a timing app through which they can upload their times.

Participants will be able to complete their run or swim at any time between November 3 and January 14.

Both Lorne Pier to Pub and Mountain to Surf cost $45 to enter and receive an event T-shirt, or $10 to enter without receiving the T-shirt. Children entering the Mountain to Surf event costs $35 including T-shirts.

T-shirts will be mailed out within three weeks of registration.

For more details, head to lornesurfclub.com.au.