The Surf Coast was alight on Saturday night as the region’s popular Black Diamond Afterglow Night Trail Run was held for an eighth year.

The event saw more than 500 participants run a choice of 21km, 13km or 5km courses, the longest outing tracing along the Surf Coast Walk from Point Addis all the way through Torquay Village to Fisherman’s Beach.

A DJ and fire twirlers welcomed runners across the finish line, as did two ‘unicorns’ handing out finisher medals in what was described by organisers as “a quirky night”.

The trail run was coincidentally one of the first active events to take place since COVID-19 restrictions substantially eased last week.

The bright, fun-filled, rainbow-fuelled thematic event could not have been more appropriately timed as guests revelled in what race director and director of Tour de Trails, Chris Ord, said was “a great social occasion and excuse to dress up in the gaudiest, fluorescent, bad-taste eighties clothing with a bit of running on the side.”

“Yes, we all love running on the Surf Coast trails, but we love a bright yellow tutu even more. That aside, there were some great running performances in amongst the frivolity.”

Winning the 21km distance was Shane Mallia from Airport West, in a time of 1:26:18, with the women’s title taken out by professional trail runner Simone Brick in 1:31:22.

The 13km race was super tight in the men’s event with Belmont-based Aaron Collins and Mt Duneed’s Tim Dwyer crossing under the rainbow arch together – although timing had Aaron in first place by less than 0.2 of a second.

Read full Surf Coast Times story here.