Geelong’s own Nicole Virant and WA star Joshua Chugg have won the 11th Surf Coast Century ultra maraton in challenging weather conditions on Saturday September 17.
Virant crossed the line in 10 hours, 25 minutes and 31 seconds after a gruelling 100km race through the coastal trails and beaches.
Chugg won the men’s event in eight hours, 43 minutes and 33 seconds and looked very comfortable having not been on the Surf Coast Century course before, and took the lead into Leg 2 through Ironbark Basin.
The 100km premier race showcased some of the best ultra-runners across the country with more than 1000 participants.
The spectacular 100km and 50km courses saw individual ultra-runners embark on a journey of the Great Ocean Road region in Victoria; with relay teams runners sharing the 100km course, each covering approximately 25km.
Virant went from not knowing anything about trail running to winning her first ever ultra-marathon in just one year.
“This time last year I didn’t even know trail running was a thing so I’m quite new to it, but I keep feeling better and better over the distance whenever I go out – I just I love it,” she said.
“I come down the coast most weekends to get my running hours in and I just can’t get enough of it. I’m lucky I get to train on these beautiful trails that make up the course.”
Torquay-based event organisers Rapid Ascent were impressed with the support the participants got from the public.
“It was fantastic to see competitors’ raw emotions as they crossed that finish line in tough coastal conditions achieving their dreams after many months of training,” event director Sam Maffett said.
“Added to that, the supporters who are out there doing what they do, never complaining and always cheering – it’s a real highlight for us.”
The 100km course took 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 covered the second-half of the 100km – renowned for being more challenging than the first half.
