SOFT SAND CLASSIC 2010
About the event
Founded by Scott Wood and the Manly Council lifeguards and run since 1993, this event has now developed into one of Australia's most unique running events. Run over three distances - the 21km Classic and the 9km Cup and the 1.6k Golden Mile, the event attracts over 500 runners each year and offers runners the chance to compete in divisions for male and female competitors:
The only event of its type until 2004, the Manly Beach Soft Sand Classic is run entirely on soft sand between the South Steyne and Queenscliff areas of Manly Beach. The 21km event is 14 lengths of the beach, the 9km is six lengths and the 1.6k is one length.
The winner of the 21km men's event averages a time of around 1 hour 35mins with the women finishing around 1 hour 50mins. Times can vary from year to year depending on the weather leading up to the event as runners pray for rain to make the sand firmer and faster.
Soft sand offers the competitor no real 'bounce' and as a result, the competitor has to work for every stride. Very few runners use shoes, as bare feet allow the competitor to 'grip' the sand with their toes as they land on the balls of their feet. Different to road running which tends to be more of a 'heal strike' action, the soft sand causes stiffness in the calves rather than the common quadricep soreness from the road.
Prior to the Classic, soft sand running was seen only as a cross leg in ocean ironman racing and in particular the Uncle Toby's Super Series. Watching those events you would notice the competitors were always in single file during the run legs in soft sand.
As the runner lands in the sand, there is first a sinking action, until the sand firms underneath the weight of the runner, allowing a platform to drive off. By running behind another, runners are landing in a pre hardened surface, allowing quicker grip in the sand and using less energy to drive out of the sand - similar to slipstreaming in other sports.
To prepare for this event it is advisable to begin sand running with some form of fitness base. Although the soft sand is low impact and injury resistant, it works the runner at a very high threshold level for the duration of the run. Don't let this deter you; look at the advantages - less injuries, beautiful scenery and a chance to jump in the ocean at the finish of your run. The Manly LSC Sand Classic is an event for all attracting both the elite and extremely non-elite and we also encourage walkers.
The 2010 Soft Sand Classic was held on Sunday 13 June 2010. Thank you to all those who participated and to the organisers and helpers.
