Surf Coast Century

Corporate Teams to run 100km For Bethany Community Support’s Family Violence Program

Press Release / 22.06.2022

The Surf Coast Century ultra marathon has partnered with local Geelong community support organisation, Bethany, to help raise funds to support women, men and children who have experienced family violence.

Held on Saturday 17 September 2022 in Anglesea, Victoria, the Surf Coast Century offers 100km and 50km courses for individual runners, or relay teams of two, three or four members over the 100km course, covering approximately 25km each.

As an initiative to raise funds, Bethany and event organiser Rapid Ascent are encouraging groups of two, three or four to enter as a corporate teams representing running clubs, schools, universities, business or community groups. The role of a corporate team will be to fundraise $1,000 which will be provided to Bethany community Support to help end family violence. 

The 100km course takes in a broad variety of terrain and scenery in and around the Great Ocean Road region. Competitors will run above and below towering sea cliffs, remote wilderness, world-class beaches, wildflower hinterland and on magnificent flowing coastal trails.

Rapid Ascent are proud to have formed the new partnership for the event’s 11th year.

“Not only do competitors get to experience a journey towards achieving their own running goals with the Century, they also have the opportunity to make their run count further by joining a corporate relay team and/or raising funds for Bethany Community Support,” said Sam Maffett, General Manager at Rapid Ascent.

Bethany Community Support is an independent, not-for-profit community support organisation that has provided support services for women, men, children and families living in the Barwon and Western regions of Victoria for more than 151 years.

Continually adapting their services to meet the needs of a changing community, today, Bethany delivers more than 40 support programs to the region’s most vulnerable individuals.

Bethany Group CEO Grant Boyd, shared that “Bethany is excited to be a part of such a successful mass participation event. Our intent through the partnership is raise funds and awareness to support people experiencing and escaping family violence”.

“With 1 in 4 women reported to have experienced physical, emotional or sexual violence by a current or former intimate partner since age 15, it is clear that there is a need for the community to play a stronger role to ensure women and children are kept safe and free from the impacts of family violence”

“Every dollar that is fundraised will help support vulnerable children, families and individuals in our community. It’s a great way for people to make their steps count on and off the race track” said Boyd.  

First to sign up as a Corporate Team was former Geelong residents Ange Champion and Maddi Wilde from SALT Cyber.

This will be Ange’s 8th Surf Coast Century event after having run the 100km solo seven times; with this year participating as part of a corporate relay team of 2 with daughter and colleague Maddi, running 50km each.

“We jumped at the chance to support such an awesome organisation, Bethany Community Support, as we share a deep passion for educating and upskilling people to obtain work and make a difference,” said Champion.

“Running in a team to share the love and to raise funds for Bethany is a huge motivator for us both,” added Champion.

Corporate Teams will be supported and guided with their fundraising efforts by Bethany. A perpetual trophy for the fastest team and highest fundraiser are also for the taking.

The Surf Coast Century has built a reputation as one of Australia's must-do trail running events due to its unique course features that showcases the Great Ocean Road region of Victoria.

The figure-8 course takes runners from Anglesea to Torquay along the beach, returning along the cliff top tracks and hinterland trails to Moggs Creek and Aireys Inlet, before heading back to Anglesea on the Surf Coast Walk trail, via Point Roadknight.

Rapid Ascent anticipate the high demand on entries will continue over the next 3 months with over 1,500 runners expected to chase their goals come race day. 

Entries are now open online, with further event information and Corporate Team details at www.SurfCoastCentury.com.au

To donate or fundraise for Bethany Community Support head to campaigns.bethany.org.au/surf-coast-century/overview