SURF COAST CENTURY RESCHEDULED TO DECEMBER

Surf Coast Century 2020 rescheduled to December with exclusive participant Care Package offer

It is with great disappointment and deflation that Rapid Ascent has been forced to reschedule the 2020 Surf Coast Century, which was to be held on 19 September in Anglesea, Victoria.

The new date will be 5 December 2020.

Due to the renewed COVID-19 outbreak in Victoria and restrictions set in place by the Victorian Government, event directors Sam Maffett and John Jacoby were left with no choice but to change plans accordingly, and are feeling every bit of the disappointment.

“We held great hope for this event since the original onset of the Coronavirus pandemic, and we are absolutely devastated to make this change,” Maffett said.

“We know many participants have put their heart and soul into this race – as have we – and whilst we are all feeling considerable frustration, we’re really confident about the new race date in December.”

In light of the date change and subsequent frustration felt by anyone training for the event, Rapid Ascent have prepared an exclusive Care Package for current participants, and those who enter prior to 31 July 2020.

Maffett said the aim of the care package was to provide encouragement and guidance for how to navigate the change in date with a ‘package of resources’ so runners are not lost on the trails whilst trying to plan for a new date.

“As ultra runners ourselves, we understand the major disruption changing a race date causes, so as some level of compensation for postponement we wanted to help runners keep a positive mindset, and adjust their training as we navigate this goal-post change,” he said.

All current 2020 Surf Coast Century entrants were sent a care package earlier in July and were automatically transferred to the rescheduled event day. Those unable to race on the new date were offered a refund or credit as per Rapid Ascent’s standard entry and refund policy.

It is a challenging time in the events industry, with both runners and Rapid Ascent staff putting in considerable hard work towards this race.

The 9th edition of the Surf Coast Century will start and finish in Anglesea, Victoria. Runners will tackle a challenging and scenic 100km or 50km course either as a solo runner or in a relay team of between two and four runners.

The course takes competitors on a journey along towering sea cliffs, remote beaches, and captivating wildflower hinterland. All this in a hare’s breath of the Great Ocean Road. 

The 2019 event attracted 1400 runners and almost 3000 spectators from all over Australia and contributed $4 million dollars to the Surf Coast economy with even greater numbers originally forecast for 2020.

The much-adored ultra-run has built a reputation as one of Australia’s ‘bucket-list’ trail running events due to it being one of the more unique 100km ultra courses in the world.

For more information visit www.surfcoastcentury.com.au 

Photograph – Rapid Ascent.