An illuminated trail greeted the participants of the unique Black Diamond Afterglow Night Trail Run on the Surf Coast in Victoria at the weekend. With 500 runners taking part, some in wacky outfits, it was set to be a night to remember!

Sporting everything from bad-taste tight-and-bright leotards (and that was just the blokes) to glow-in-the-dark costumes that would have Cyndi Lauper or Boy George smiling with inspirational pride, runners shone their night lights on the Surf Coast Walk, choosing to run either the 21 km course or the 12 km route.

More than doubling numbers from its inaugural outing last year, the Black Diamond Afterglow Night Trail Run proved a hit with serious and fun runners alike, the latter vibe being the dominant take-away in an event that has broken the mould of a traditionally hardcore, mountain-staged pursuit.

Twilight falls to night atop the cliffs of Jan Juc as runners head towards Torquay on Victoria’s Surf Coast, competing in the 21 km/12 km Black Diamond Afterglow Night Trail Run. Photo Credit: Sam Costin.

This year the twilight-night trail run added a 12 km outing to the traditional half marathon (21 km) line-up, to further entice those new to trail running. Runners were greeted on course with plenty of entertainment to help the kilometres pass, including two saxophonists, a troupe of African drummers, a didgeridoo player playing in the sand dunes and two DJ’s appropriately dubbed the Soul Mamas, spinning the eighties decks at the finish line.

Hundreds of runners got into that vibe with plenty of effort going into their retro, eighties – some would say bad taste – fashion on the trails, with the event gaining its own ‘mascot’ this year in the form of a ‘trail running rainbow unicorn’ as sighted on the official event t-shirt (and by others somewhat dubiously actually out on trail).

These runners sporting the unusual ‘Trail Running Rainbow Unicorns Exist’ official event tee - surely one of the wackiest going around as part of the Black Diamond Afterglow Night Trail Run. Photo Credit: Sam Costin.

While most ran for fun and frivolity, the winner Francesco Ciancio still clocked a handy time of 1:23:40 for his half marathon win, only five minutes shy of last year’s Olympian winner, Craig Mottram. In second place was Birregurra (Vic) local Steven Page (1:29:40) followed by Colac (Vic) resident, David Lipman (1:31:54).

In the women’s a Torquay (Surf Coast, Vic) local took line honours, with Renee Lane – fresh from a stellar third place in an international Japanese marathon and first place in the Great Ocean Road Marathon – taking the win in a time of 1:36:34. Her performance was enough to also deliver her fifth place overall (male or female). Behind Lane was fellow Surf Coaster, Loretta McGrath (Torquay, 1:41:19) and in third Wendy McAlpine (Sandringham, Vic, 1:42:49).

The 12 km saw both blistering outfits and blistering times, with the women taking it to the men. While the first place getter was Kevin Chisolm (55:51), second overall (and first female) was Geelong’s Aleara Wallace (1:00:00). Andrew McDowell was second male, third overall (1:00:53) while Danni Rogan, from Truganina, Vic, scored second female and fourth overall (1:01:38). Third male was Paul Dickson (Geelong, 1:03:15) with Di Jorgensen (Clifton Springs, 1:07:05) registering third female in the 12 km.

Headlamps start to reflect from the inlet at Torquay Beach, Surf Coast Victoria, as runners tread the boardwalk during the Black Diamond Afterglow Night Trail Run. Photo Credit: Sam Costin.

Special mention goes to a quartet of 12 year olds, including Isabella, neice of Jan Juc, Surf Coast, local Maggie Bufe who along with her three friends Ava, Chloe and Isabella, took on the 12 km course

Isabella Bufe was 1st female in her division with Chloe Joubert 3rd, Ava Lansell 4th and Isabella Mangano 5th. Notably they all ran an extended 13 km course, a fun option for 12 km runners who wanted to run longer to see the didgeridoo player in the sand dunes.

The unique event remains Australia’s only night-time half marathon distance trail outing, and will take place again in 2016, on 26th November.

For all race results, visit the results page.