A new multi-sport event is coming to Phillip Island, part of an Australia-wide series.

On March 18-19, a Swim Bike Run (SBR) Weekend will see a swim on the Cowes foreshore, a bike course starting at the Woolamai racetrack, and a running festival at Inverloch.

Bass Coast is one of five SBR Weekends, alongside Canberra, Adelaide, Port Stephens and Hervey Bay and this is the first of a three-year event, sponsored by Bass Coast Shire.

It is the brainchild of former triathlete Mark ‘Emo’ Emmerton, from Elite Energy, who visited the island last week to finalise details.

Emo describes SBR as a “choose your destiny” event, with competitors able to take part in either a swim, bike, or run individually (and enjoy the sights and surrounds of the area) – or take the plunge

and participate in all three, making it a full triathlon – with each leg offering different distances.

“The most exciting part of this festival will be the run along the closed roads between Inverloch and Cape Paterson,” Emo says.

“We feel this new run course has fantastic potential to rival some of Victoria’s premier coastal runs with stunning ocean views.

“This event is not your usual triathlon. It gives you the opportunity to rest between each leg.”

With each event offering different distances, the swim in Cowes has four options: 4km, 2km, 1km or 500m.

Bike courses are: 106km, 66km, 47km, or 30km.

And run distances include: 42km, 21km, 10km, 5km or 2km.

“It’s designed to be tailored, so the whole family can take part in an event,” Emo says.

“From the elite triathlete to a first-time competitor, there’s something for everyone.”

Both the swim and run have prize money – equal for both genders – totalling $4000, while the bike ride is not a race but timed.

Competitive

Emo is a former competitive triathlete who had 23 years in Royal Australian Navy logistics and has taken part in Hawaii ironman events through to a Simpson Desert run and has “nearly been to the top of Everest”.

He started Elite Energy in 1999 and now oversees more than 40 multi-sport events in Australia, ranging from local fun runs to the Olympics.

“It’s all about keeping people active and moving.

“There’s also pride in telling people you’ve completed a triathlon, whether it’s a 2km run or a 42km run.”

Emo says they expect up to 1500 competitors for the March weekend, and also need up to 120 volunteers to help at each event, such as staffing drink stations, which can be a fundraiser for volunteer groups.

He says Bass Coast is an ideal destination for an SBR Weekend event and he’s even looking to create other new Bass Coast trail running events in the future.

“Up until last week I hadn’t been to the area for 40 years, since I last worked at HMAS Cerberus (across Western Port),” says Emo, who lives in southern NSW.

“But it was a cracker of a day when we visited Cowes. It’s a great beach with fantastic coffee shops and we had a really friendly welcome from all the clubs and organisations.”

Details: sbrbasscoast.com.au/ and click on each specific event

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