The Sapphire Coast Runners held their first official trail run event on Sunday.
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Organisers said the run, which was held at the Mandeni Golf and Fun Park was a stellar success with a 10km open event and 2km junior event being run across the same tracks used for mountain biking.
“The Club was very pleased with the level of interest in the event, which was the first in a new trail run series,” a spokeswoman said.
A group of 50 runners started the 10km event, with women out-numbering men almost two to one; and 28 runners took part in the junior event, with equal numbers of boys and girls.
“All runners seemed to really enjoy the scenic course, even if parts of it were fairly challenging - particularly for first-time trail runners,” the spokeswoman said.
Mother nature turned it on for the entrants with great weather on the day and a majority of the field stayed on for a friendly barbecue lunch after their run – with organisers thanking Club Sapphire for the supplied.
“The Mandeni park was a really great location to hold the event, with good facilities including the well-maintained trails, picnic tables, and other activities that runners and non-runners could also take advantage of - In fact it was hard to get the kids away from the jumping pillow to actually race, and for the awards presentation,” the spokeswoman said with a laugh.
The next event on the local running calendar is the Merimbula Fun Run, to be held on May 27. All runners and walkers are welcome to join in one (or more) of the 10km, 5km or 2km junior kids dash events. There is a course change this year, with the 5km runners also enjoying the scenic Lake Street out to the Wharf.
In other running news, Merimbula’s Steph Auston recently completed the “Buffalo Stampede” 20km sky run - as well as the full marathon length 42km event – on extremely hilly terrain in the Victorian high country.
Auston, who is no stranger to trail runs and extreme distances as an ultra-marathon competitor topped the ladies during both distances including a 7th overall place for the 42km event.
Between the two massive distance events, Auston also competed in the Bright parkrun, setting a new women’s record for the weekly 5km event.