November 11, 2021
Afterglow run returns to light up the Surf Coast
Events are back up and running – literally – on the Surf Coast with hundreds of runners set to glam it up at the unique Black Diamond Afterglow Night Trail Run, taking place on Saturday 20th November, 2021 in Torquay.
Afterglow will be one of the first events to get underway on the Surf Coast post COVID lockdowns.
The tail running event encompasses a half marathon (21km) run course following the Surf Coast Walk from Point Addis back to a lit-up finish line at the Salty Dog Café, Fisherman’s Beach. A second ‘half glow’ distance of 13km begins at Southside near Bells Beach, while two 5km ‘mini-glow’ runs round up the line-up with a loop course at Fisherman’s Beach.
The second 5km event is run under the ‘Body Positive Stomp’ banner, a non-timed run or walk specifically aimed to offer a welcoming entry-level outing encouraging all community members to join in with discrimination, judgement or expectation, no matter what level of ability or experience on trails.
“The entire event, from the Body Positive Stomp through to the 21km, is probably the least serious trail run event on the calendar, but we reckon the most fun,” says co-organiser, Peri Payne from Anglesea-based tour and events company, Tour de Trails.
“We predict more bad-taste tight-and-bright leotards to be worn than ever before as participants look to get a little loose fashion-wise post COVID lockdowns, and really celebrate a return to community gatherings,” says Payne. “We get all sorts of costumes, from rainbow tutus, to clown and unicorn motifs, glow in the dark UV and even runners sporting a full set of LED lights.”
On course entertainment includes fire twirlers, a saxophonist, an acoustic guitarist and a DJ belting out 80s hits at Fisherman’s Beach.
“We purposely theme our event way over the top to provide a very social experience where the competitiveness is more about outdoing each other in the costume stakes!” says Gray.
“It’s also one welcoming of runners new to the trail, or indeed to running.”
Find out more here.
