Mottram glows at Surf Coast night trail half marathon

Press Release / 03.12.2014

Olympic and Commonwealth Games runner, Craig Mottram, blasted his afterburners on the weekend to win the inaugural Afterglow Twilight-Night Trail Half Marathon in an astonishing time of 1 hour 18 minutes 28 seconds. 

Held on the Surf Coast Walk from Point Addis to Torquay, the Afterglow trail running event also shone a light on local Torquay runner Loretta McGrath, one time winner of the Melbourne Marathon, who claimed the first women’s title in 1:42:12.

Held in part to raise awareness for mental health charity, beyondblue, Afterglow lit up the Surf Coast as runners donned the brightest clothing they could find as part of the ‘glow’ theming of the unique event, which attracted nearly 300 to the night time trails. While serious runners the likes of second place getter Peter Van Wijngaarden and Brett Coleman concentrated on holding the heels of Mottram, the majority of the pack put just as much effort into finding enough fluorescent gear to run in so as to barely need the mandatory headlamps to light the way. 

It was, as race director, Chris Ord puts it, “an event that went off like a fluro frog dancing in a glitter ball sock!”

“We’re, ahem, glowing with happiness at how the event turned out,” says Chris. "Everyone on course and all our awesome volunteers really got into the colourful, fun vibe of  with their bright costumes and general exuberant energy as runners streamed along the Surf Coast Walk. 

“The after party at Bomboras Kiosk on the Fishermans Beach Foreshore, with views up the beach, set off by the fire twirlers and African Drumming beats, plus DJs Hannah and Janna spinning their synth pop, provided one of the most memorable finishing  lines in running events we reckon!”

“Craig Mottram’s time was astounding given the course has a few beefy hills in it early on and a decent stretch of sand running. With the faster runners being set off in a second wave, it was a thrill for many mid packers to have him run past them on course, and witness just how fast these professionals run. And to have Loretta McGrath come and win on her home turf, after being an elite winner of the Melbourne Marathon in 2003, was just the icing on the cake of what was a great night all round. We hope to see everyone back in their glitter get up next year!”

“I’ll be back next year, for sure,” said Mottram at presentations, accepting his bright red retro winners goblet. “As a Geelong lad, I used to run these trails for training so I know them pretty well, which helped, but the atmosphere on the trails was just so friendly, and the concept so unique, I loved every minute of it.”

Full results at: here

More information: Chris Ord 04303 76621 chris@tourdetrails.com 

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