FOR 60 years the Surf Coast Times Jim Wall Iron Race has attracted competitors from all over the nation in a bid to be the fittest, fastest and toughest to take to the sand.<\/p>\n
This Saturday athletes will battle it out in hopes of having their name etched on the trophy of the world\u2019s longest running iron event.<\/p>\n
Beginning in 1964, the race is a pioneer of endurance surf sports and a staple of the Torquay community.<\/p>\n
Named after early club President Jim Wall, the event was devised to challenge all round water ability, speed and endurance.<\/p>\n
Terry Wall, two-time champion and son of the former president said the event started small before it went national.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was essentially a club event for a time and eventually it got other clubs in Victoria to participate and then throughout Australia over the years,\u201d\u00a0he said.<\/p>\n
To this day the\u00a0event stands as the ultimate test\u00a0of endurance,\u00a0skill\u00a0and devotion,\u00a0judged by the contender\u2019s performance across four events – board, ski, swim and run.<\/p>\n
The origins of the Surf Coast Times Jim Wall Iron Race\u00a0play\u00a0a large role in\u00a0Torquay\u2019s history and this year the chances of a local victory are better than ever.<\/p>\n
Usually bringing in the best of Australia\u2019s interstate competitors, the event will be subjected to travel restrictions and border closures.<\/p>\n
Competition director Peter Quinlan said despite restrictions the event will be the perfect start to the season.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith local favourite Grace Harris home from her new Queensland training base, and previous winner Matt Gilling also a contender, we\u2019d be happy to have a Victorian monopoly in the 60th\u00a0year,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Marketing director Sarah O\u2019Dwyer said up to 140 competitors were forecast to hit the sand this weekend.<\/p>\n
With most surf sport events postponed to early February, the Jim Wall Iron Race will mark the opening of the competition season for Victorian athletes.<\/p>\n
Ms O\u2019Dywer said the competition is expected to be better than ever as training for the individual sport was not impacted by COVID-19 restrictions.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople will be in their fittest form, so we are expecting really good racing,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
This year the event will look slightly different with designated areas for spectators and competitors.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will have QR codes for people to scan and we will be implementing social distancing as part of the COVIDSafe guidelines,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The Jim Wall event card includes 13 speciality races beginning at 1pm with Under 13 Nippers and culminating with the ultimate male and female Iron events.<\/p>\n
For more information about Jim Wall 2021, head to www.torquayslsc.com.au<\/strong> or call 5261<\/p>\n