Welcome to the SEVENTH running of the Surf Coast Trail Marathon, a trail running event offering participants marathon and half marathon runs along the stunning Surf Coast Walk tracking from Torquay to Fairhaven on Victoria’s famed Surf Coast, an hour south west of Melbourne.
In the marathon, you can have a crack at the full distance solo, or knock off roughly half each in teams of two. Or try the half for a taster.
In many ways, this is the perfect event for all runners eyeing the two quintessential distances. For road runners it offers a first taste for trail, without being intimidating as a relatively non-technical, non-remote, non-mountainous trail. For experienced trailites, the route still features stunning wilderness with coastal viewpoints you won’t believe (and becomes a truly go-fast course with plenty of good twists and turns).
From iconic Bells Beach (yes you run a short stretch of this hallowed turf) to the clifftops of Point Addis and Anglesea and on to Split Point lighthouse at Airyes Inlet: this course deserves to be renowned for the sheer experience of journeying through a unique natural environment . We thought that a run along its entirety was worth a shot.
FRIDAY 25 JUNE 2021
1pm–7.30pm Event Registration, The Happy Runner, Bell Street, Torquay VIC 3228
SATURDAY 26 JUNE 2021
6.30am Bus schedule starts from Fairhaven to Torquay (refer to bus schedule)
6.30am–8am Late Event Registration, Salty Dog Cafe, Fishermans Beach, The Esplanade, Torquay
8.15am Marathon race briefing at the start line at Torquay
8.30am Marathon starts (individual and team runners)
9.30am Late registration, Half Marathon, Point Addis
10.45am Half Marathon race briefing, on beach, Point Addis
11am Half Marathon starts at Point Addis
11.15am-11.30am First marathon runner expected to finish at Fairhaven
12.30pm First half marathoner expected over line
2.30pm Event Presentations at Fairhaven Surf Life Saving Club (FSLSC)
From 6pm (although you can get there anytime during the day!) - Post run fun, music, food and celebratory drinks at the Airey’s Pub. Music from 8pm.