Josh Chugg will be looking to add the 11th Surf Coast Century ultra marathon to his list of triumphs this Saturday September 17.
Chugg, from Western Australia, won the 80km Margaret River Ultra Marathon earlier this year, but the Surf Coast event will be the first time he has tackled 100km.
Trail runners will tackle the 100km and 50km courses solo, while relay teams of two, three or four runners will share the 100km journey, each covering approximately 25km.
Taking place in Victoria’s Great Ocean Road Region, the event has cemented its’ place as one of Australia’s must-do ultra trail marathons with a number of elite runners eager to toe the start line.
“It’s my first time running 100km, so getting through injury free and motivated for the rest of 2022 is the main thing – that said, I’ll be racing to win once we get underway,” Chugg said.
“I did my first ultra marathon over five years ago, however it is only in the last two years that I came back for more and really got hooked.
“I’ll be trying hard to stay as relaxed as possible come race day.”
Ready to push Chugg on course are Victorian’s Ash Harink who is back to defend his 2021 title which was his first 100km ultra marathon and Ross Hopkins, the 2020 100km Surf Coast Century winner. who clocked an impressive 8:38:29.
“It’s a long way out there and over the years I’ve learnt to pace myself a little bit,” Hopkins said.
“I can’t wait to be back at the Surf Coast Century. I really enjoyed the varied terrain and landscapes throughout the entire course.”
In the female field, eyes will be on Victorian Sarah Hedger (2020 winner and 3rd place in 2021) who has nothing but praise for the 100km course and can’t wait to share the experience again with other runners next Saturday.
“I love running in beautiful environments – they’re a big motivator and that’s why I keep coming back,” she said.
“It’s such a great event atmosphere for all runners.”
The 100km course takes competitors 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. The 50km course covers the second-half of the 100km.
