MANLY BEACH SOFT SAND CLASSIC SUNDAY 10 JUNE 2012

The Manly Beach Soft Sand Classic is sanctioned by AIMS (Association of International Marathons and Distance Races).

21km Ultimate
START TIME: 7AM, SUNDAY 10TH JUNE 2012
You must be over 18 years to compete in this event.
Entry fee: $50 or $65 after 10th April 2012. Strictly limited places.
The toughest challenge in Sydney barefoot beach racing.  Nowhere else on the racing calendar will you have the opportunity to race the best in the sport.  Seven return laps between Manly LSC and Queenscliff.  It will be grueling but ultimately rewarding for those who respect the toughness of this event and do the right preparation.
ENTER TODAY

9km Challenge
START TIME: 10AM, SUNDAY 10TH JUNE 2012
This event is open to all age groups.
Entry fee: $50 or $65 after 10th April 2012. Strictly limited places.
A shorter distance means faster pace. Don't be deceived by the distance, 9km on soft sand will put you to the test physically and mentally.  Three return laps, the fast race for lovers of speed and an endurance challenge for people new to soft sand running or who are in the process of stepping up to longer distances. 
ENTER TODAY

2km Teams
START TIME: 12.30PM, SUNDAY 10TH JUNE 2012
This event is open to all age groups.
Entry fee: $75 per team. Strictly limited places.
Four runners in each team.  The team must be a mix of men and women.  The team with the fastest aggregate time wins.  A great way to get involved with friends but don't underestimate the standard of competition at the pointy end.  The Manly SLC club spirit and competitiveness will shine through in this one.  
ENTER TODAY

1.6km Kids
START 11.30AM, SUNDAY 10 JUNE 2012
You must be under 15 years to compete in this event.
Entry fee: $15. Strictly limited places. Every kid dreams of being a champion one day and this is their chance to live a bit of that dream. Cheered on by an enthusiastic crowd, the kids race is one of the most popular of the day. And it's a lot of fun! ENTER TODAY

MORE INFORMATION

ABOUT THE EVENT
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 seven return laps of the beach, the 9km is six return laps. 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.