THE 10th edition of the Surf Coast Century is cementing its reputation as one of Australia\u2019s must-do ultra trail marathons, attracting a number of past winners from ultra running events across the country.<\/p>\n
To be held on September 11 between Anglesea and Torquay, the event will see previous winners Kellie Angel (nee Emmerson), Ash Watson, Ross Hopkins, David Eadie and Sarah Hedger line up on the 100km start line.<\/p>\n
The fast five (all from Victoria) will be up against a formidable trio from Western Australia \u2013 Justin Scarvaci, Claire O\u2019Brien-Smith and Meghann Coffey, all of whom have won the Margaret River Ultra Marathon (MRUltra), which is also organised by Rapid Ascent.<\/p>\n
The WA trio of Scarvaci, O\u2019Brien-Smith and Coffey were lured by the race\u2019s spectacular course, prestigious reputation and the chance to have a hit-out against many of Victoria\u2019s best ultra runners.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to push the pace in Victoria,\u201d 2019 and 2020 MRUltra male winner Scarvaci said.<\/p>\n
2020 MRUltra female winner O\u2019Brien-Smith said she\u2019s well prepared for the 100km.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m looking forward to more kilometres at the Century and feel I\u2019ll be well prepared for the course \u2013 I\u2019m including some sand running, hills, intervals and getting out on the trails as much as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Surf Coast Century and Margaret River Ultra Marathon have a brother\/sister relationship, where the winners of one event are invited to race in the other.<\/p>\n
This year will be the first time the Century will feature a stacked field of Victorian winners racing against WA winners.<\/p>\n
Angel won the Century in 2014, 2015 and 2016 and holds the female 100km course record of 9:03.24.<\/p>\n
She had some advice for the West Australians \u2013 \u201cI would be wary about Urquhart\u2019s beach during Leg 4; I was running so hard to try to make sub nine hours in 2016 but the soft sand on Urquhart\u2019s got the better of me.\u201d.<\/p>\n
Watson, who holds the Century\u2019s male course record of 7:57, is also returning for the 10-year anniversary after winning the event in 2018 and 2019.<\/p>\n
He hasn\u2019t raced much since 2019 and struggled with motivation through COVID times, but is back with a vengeance and will leave nothing to chance as he prepares for another tilt at the title.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would like to win the race again this year but there\u2019s definitely plenty of competition, and anything can happen in an ultra marathon so I don\u2019t take anything for granted,\u201d Watson said.<\/p>\n
To celebrate 10 years and to welcome back past winners, the event has a number of new initiatives in place to enhance the runners\u2019 experience such as a post-race athlete lounge, and recovery activities and celebrations the day after racing.<\/p>\n
The event is expected to attract more than 1,300 runners. It offers 100km and 50km solo options, or 100km in relay teams of two or four.<\/p>\n
To register or for more information, head to the Surf Coast Century website.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE 10th edition of the Surf Coast Century is cementing its reputation as one of Australia\u2019s must-do ultra trail marathons, attracting a number of past winners from ultra running events across the country. To be held on September 11 between Anglesea and Torquay, the event will see previous winners Kellie Angel (nee Emmerson), Ash Watson, […]<\/p>\n