Lorne Pier to Pub to become ‘virtual’ as Covid cases rise

Lorne’s famous Pier to Pub ocean swim and Mountain to Surf run have been cancelled and will switch to “virtual” events.

Lorne’s Pier to Pub swim will be held virtually on January 8 due to rising Covid numbers. Picture: Tourism Victoria

Lorne’s famous Pier to Pub ocean swim and Mountain to Surf run have been canned amid rising Covid-19 cases, as both sporting races get switched to a “virtual” event.

Days before the two massive events were due to be held, race directors announced that rising case numbers in its volunteers and the community had forced the change.

The Mountain to Surf was set for Friday, January 7 while the Pier to Pub was supposed to be held on Saturday, January 8.

Participant fees will now be transferred to a virtual event and competitors can post their times until the end of January in a link that’s yet to be emailed out.

Powercor Pier to Pub race director John Takac said due to the “potential impact on our community, competitors and volunteers, we have arrived at this difficult decision out of an abundance of caution”.

“With case numbers across our volunteers rising in line with the broader community, we feel we will not be able to properly support the event to maintain safe conditions for all,” he said in a press release.

“Like many other parts of Australia and the world we are seeing an increase in cases in Lorne at the moment, and this is having a significant impact on the local health system, traders and the wider community.”

Rising case numbers in volunteers and the community has forced the Lorne Pier to Pub to shift online. Picture: Belinda VanZanen/ Tourism Victoria

Powercor general manager of corporate affairs Jonanne Pafumi said the event was held virtually last year and encouraged all entrants to “stay involved”.

Random prizes will be drawn for virtual competitors in both events.

Those who requested refunds in case of an event change at the time of entry would have their cash processed within the next two weeks while T-shirts would be mailed out by the end of the month.

Lorne Surf Life Saving Club’s Mike Napolitano said local health services were at capacity and event organisers had been concerned about adding pressure to the system.

Between 30,000 and 40,000 people were due to arrive in town over the coming days for the events.

He said local restaurants and cafes were already struggling to staff their venues and some were closing their doors as workers became exposed and were isolating.

More than 5000 people were due to swim in the Pier to Pub and 2500 runners were set for the Mountain to Surf.

Mr Napolitano said the high take-up of competitors was “demonstrative of the desire for people to get back to some semblance of normality”.

“It’s the right thing for us to do (moving to a virtual event) to keep the community healthy and safe but there will be a certain level of sadness,” he said.

Competitors are urged not to visit Lorne but instead do the swim in their local pool, beach or even the Murray River, while runners can replicate the track distance closer to home.