Salomon Trail Run Series returns with extra outing and new locations

News Release / 13.04.2012

The hugely popular Salomon Trail Running Series has opened entries for 2012, with the addition of two new stunning trail run locations and a fourth ‘grand finale’ event that should make trail running even more accessible with the short (~5km) and long (~12km) course options at each race location.

Additionally, the new ‘grand finale’ event, to be held at the seaside township of Anglesea on the Great Ocean Road will be held alongside a new 100km ‘ultra’ trail event dubbed the Surf Coast Century.

In a year that saw a marked boom in trail running as an alternative to the “boring bitumen” or road running, the 2011 Salomon Trail Run Series attracted more than 750 runners to its three events that were all held in stunning bushland environments within an hour of Melbourne’s CBD.

This year’s series returns with the addition of Plenty Gorge, in Yellow Gum Park north east of Melbourne  as an unexpected but beautiful venue only 20km from the city centre for race #2 of the series.

Two familiar event locations will remain from last year’s series, the first taking place within 5km of the CBD at Yarra Bend Park for race #1, along the banks of the Yarra River, while the Dandenong Ranges gets another run (excuse the pun), with the popular Silvan course included as race #3.

The last all-new location will double as the Series Finale, to be held on the majestic surf coast at the popular seaside village of Anglesea, just over an hour’s drive from Melbourne.

A huge success in its inaugural year, the Salomon Trail Run Series was a watershed movement for Australian trail running with its offering of shorter course distances of between 5km and 14km paired with easily accessible race locations, and it’s a tradition that continues in 2012.

The format of each event will retain a short distance of between 5km and 8km together with a second, longer race of between 10km and 15km, making the series an ideal outing for everyone from beginners to serious middle distance runners.

“We specifically cater to those runners new to off road courses,” says Sam Maffett, General Manager of event company, Rapid Ascent.

“We want to make trail running accessible to the masses and enjoyable for all, so we have developed courses that are not overly technical, yet run mostly on single track trails through beautiful parks and bushland areas. 

“Trail running is a growth sport, one that really increases the fun factor of running in general. We also found in last year’s series that it encouraged more people to out into the outdoors, into places that are nearby but they had never got around to visiting – the events gave people an excuse to explore a new world of local parks and bushlands that had been ‘under the radar’. And we reckon that anything prompting people to enjoy and appreciate the environment is a good thing!”

The 2012 Salomon Trail Run Series line-up is:

1.      Sunday 24 June, Studley Park, Kew, Melbourne: 5km / 10.8km

2.      Sunday 29 July, Plenty Gorge: 6.4km / 11.8km

3.      Sunday 26 August, Silvan, Dandenong Ranges: 7.3km / 14.3km

4.      Sunday 23 September,  Anglesea, Great Ocean Road:  7.9km / 14.6km + the new Surf Coast Century, a new 100km ultra marathon (on Sept 22).

Entries are now open online at www.salomontrailseries.com.au
 

Ultra running for all ... New 100km endurance run for Surf Coast

While the Salomon Trail Run Series caters to those just getting into the sport, Rapid Ascent’s newest event, the Surf Coast Century, looks to open the door to more serious trail run achievements.

Based in Anglesea, an hour’s drive south west of Melbourne, the 100km ‘Century’ will explore tracks and single trails along Victoria’s famous Surf Coast, taking runners on a enviable journey under some of the tallest cliffs and most beautiful beaches in Australia, before mixing up the terrain with hinterland bush and fern fringed stands of Eucalypt.

The event is set to attract many experienced solo ultra runners from across Australia and internationally, all looking to snatch the inaugural course record. But organiser Rapid Ascent notes that the event has been developed to also be a “stepping stone” ultra by opening up team categories of between 2 and four runners, who will each complete between 25 and 50km legs in a relay team.

“Sell-out fields in renowned ultra events such as The North Face 100 and the Great Ocean Walk 100 demonstrates that ultra running is becoming more popular, but we recognise that 100km is a massive undertaking for anyone,” says Race Director, John Jacoby.  “So we wanted to build in a ‘beginner’ factor, by allowing the relay concept. Having said that, you’ll still need to put in some decent training for even the shortest leg of 25km!”

The Surf Coast Century promises to become a mainstay on the ultra marathon circuit, with a unique and spectacular course that runs past lighthouses, waterfalls, scenic lookouts, renowned surf beaches (heard of Bells?), surf life saving clubs, remote wilderness and almost everything in between. 

“There's headlands to traverse, cliff top and bottom trails, sweeping singletrack ensconced in coastal flora, all coupled with jaw-dropping views across the southern seaboard,” says Jacoby. “We’re hoping the mix of terrain and the varied format will establish the Surf Coast Century and one of the Southern Hemisphere's must-do trail running events for anyone.” 

The Surf Coast Century encompasses a figure eight course, ensuring plenty of spectator opportunities with ease of access to checkpoints and other viewing areas for friends and family to cheer along their runners.

“With the course starting and finishing on the beach backing on to the Anglesea township, there is plenty of great local food, accommodation and entertainment options to make a holiday of the occasion,” says Jacoby.

The Surf Coast Century offers one of the biggest prize purses in Australian ultra trail running, with $1000 plus a Suunto Ambit GPS watch (RP$650) going to the 100km solo winner, plus a raft of prizes for category winners.

Organisers are planning to hold an familiarisation day on the course with a date set tentatively for 5 August, allowing runners to get a taste of the course along with expert advice from event ambassador, Julian Spence, an Anglesea local who just happens to be one of Australia’s elite ultra runners, having won the 2011 Great Ocean Walk 100 ultra. 

Information and entries are now open at www.surfcoastcentury.com.au