Hayden Cotter and Lani Pallister both win their fifth consecutive Pier to Pub event at Lorne

A Queensland superfish has taken out his fifth-consecutive Pier To Pub despite an ongoing health battle after testing positive to Covid late last year.

Mountain to Surf runners take off on January 12. Picture: Mark Dadswell.

A Queensland open water swimming champion has admitted he came into what would prove to be his fifth-consecutive Pier to Pub win amid an ongoing health battle after contracting Covid late last year.

It was a case of five-from-five at Lorne Surf Life Saving Club on Saturday afternoon for the uber dominant Hayden Cotter and Lani Pallister in the men’s and women’s elite level Superfish.

However, moments after winning the race, Cotter admitted he came into the event feeling in less than peak condition after testing positive to Covid after returning from the US.

Superfish winners at the Pier to Pub, Lani Pallister and Hayden Cotter. Picture: Alan Barber

Cotter, 22, the event’s number one seed, told this publication he had not felt 100 per cent right since coming back from Texas at the end of September.

“I had a bit of a struggle coming into (the race),” Cotter said.

“It really hurt me long term

“I’m not sure if it’s from covid ... I’ve had high blood pressure and high resting heart rates.

“Now I’m on pills trying to sort it out.”

Cotter, who scored his first Pier to Pub in 2018 – the same as Pallister – said he was struggling with the pace for most of the race before a well-timed wave provided some late momentum.

Five-time winner Hayden Cotter and seven-time champion Sam Sheppard after the race. Picture: Alan Barber

“(My performance) felt pretty slow to be honest,” he said.

However, the Kallingar Swimming Club product was stoked to win his fifth Pier to Pub – edging out seven-time champion Sam Sheppard and 19th seed Jesse Coulson – even if the thrill would not quite compare with his debut victory where he swam beside Olympic champion Mack Horton.

“Nothing beats the first here,” he said.

“That was the highlight of my career, swimming with those boys.

“I come down every year and love it.

“You can’t beat (the Pier to Pub), really ... one of the biggest (open water events) in Australia.

“It’s definitely something I look forward to every year.”

Meanwhile, Lani Pallister, 21, also made it five on the bounce, as she prepares for the Olympic trials in June after a dominant performance at the Swimming World Cup Series in December, winning the 800m.

“Five in a row is very special,” Pallister said.

“It was a little bit colder than it has been in previous years.

“The tide was sucking out a lot more than it has before.

“I felt like there was a part of the race where I was swimming backwards.”

She said she felt very confident coming into the race she could make it five in a row, having done a lot of distance racing in 2023.

Lani Pallister cruises to victory in the Pier to Pub. Picture: Alan Barber

“If you don’t bet on yourself, nobody else will,” she said.

“I’m quite confident in myself and my abilities.

“It’s an Olympic year, everything and all of the decisions I’m making will impact my performance then.”

However, in an ominous sign for her contemporaries, Pallister intended to keep making the annual trip to Lorne, health and time permitting.

“I’m always grateful to Lorne for putting on such an incredible event,” she said.

“It’s such an incredible weekend down here.

“Hopefully I can keep doing it for years and years to come.”

The final word went to seven-time winner Sam Sheppard who declared Cotter and Pallister the “king and queen” of the Pier to Pub.

Locals beat the field in the men’s and women’s open race

He might have entered under a different name, and forgot to attach his timing band, but that didn’t stop Geelong Swimming Club member Cameron Ricchini pulling off a stunning debut swim at the Pier to Pub.

The locals dominated the open category with Ricchini and Jan Juc’s Zoe Jennings taking home the men’s and women’s titles in the open category on Saturday at the Lorne Surf Life Saving Club.

The iconic event was capped with 5000 competitors, which included former Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, ex-Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu and St Kilda footballer Dan Butler.

It was a mix of ages and abilities at Lorne, with the youngest 12 and the oldest 93, while new Lorne Hotel owner Justin Hemmes also took to the water in mild conditions.

However, beating them all was Ricchini in his debut dip.

It was a win against the odds with Ricchini entering under his friend Tom’s name after he pulled out last minute and forgot to attach his timing band to his leg — a disqualification if it happens again, he was told by organisers.

Cameron Ricchini won the open men’s category on his first attempt. Picture: Alan Barber

“(Tom) didn’t have enough training and didn’t feel like doing it,” Ricchini said of his last minute entry.

“It’s not the way things usually go but I like to spice it up a little bit.

“It’s my first time doing the Pier to Pub.

“I usually do pool swimming, I’ve always been interested in doing an open water swim.

“The Pier to Pub’s got a big name for itself, I thought I’d give it a shot, see how we go.”

Talking to this publication just minutes after his win, Ricchini said he felt “tired but pretty stoked” to win, describing the competition as “fierce”.

“It wasn’t too choppy which is convenient for a pool swimmer,” he said.

Second place Maddie Marshall winner Zoe Jennings and third place Charlie Millard. Picture: Alan Barber

Ricchini, who is planning to study physiotherapy this year, said he was now inspired to qualify for the Superfish category in 2025.

“Hopefully I’ll be there next year,” he said.

Meanwhile, Pier to Pub regular and forensic science student Zoe Jennings won her first title in the open women’s category.

“It’s a nice swim I guess, the water’s nice and clear,” Jennings said.

Ocean Grove runner wins the Mountain to Surf

Twelve months after finishing sixth at one of the region’s most prominent fun runs, Ocean Grove runner Sebastian Asher has taken out the 8km Mountain to Surf event in Lorne.

Hitting the finish line in a time of 23 minutes and 36 minutes, Asher beat Daniel Dunstone by 10 seconds with Tom Bowers a further four seconds behind.

Meanwhile, Yarra Junction’s Sarah Klein took out her first women’s title in a time of 26 minutes and four seconds, ahead of Brooke Williams by (28 minutes and two seconds) and Angela Williams in 30 minutes and 14 seconds.

Asher said conditions were “perfect” for the run and he would now target the marquee event, the 1.2km Pier to Pub on Saturday.

Sebastian Asher won the men's division of the Mountain to Surf. Picture: Mark Dadswell.

“Last year I came sixth in the Mountain to Surf so I wasn’t thinking that I was going to win it today, no way,” Asher said.

“I’m pretty stoked to win it.

“It’s peak triathlon and running season so I’m keeping very fit.”

Meanwhile, Klein said she was delighted to win on her first attempt.

Sarah Klein won the women's category of the Mountain to Surf. Picture: Mark Dadswell.

“I haven’t done it before so it was nice to get out there and get the hills done in the first couple of kilometres and find a rhythm and finish off consistently,” Klein said.

“It was a beautiful run along the little creek, and back on the Great Ocean Road — it was amazing.

“Coming down to the Surf Coast this time of year, the weather, the environment that we’re in, the people we’re around, the atmosphere, are just awesome.”

Mountain to Surf runners take off on Friday. Picture: Mark Dadswell.

The 42nd annual Mountain to Surf attracted 2000 runners of all ages and abilities on Friday, taking in Lorne’s tranquil forest areas before competitors headed for home along the Great Ocean Rd coastline.

The fun run kicked off a massive weekend of festivities with over 45,000 people expected to descend on the coastal town before the 44th annual, 1.2km Pier to Pub on Saturday, where Hayden Cotter and Lani Pallister are out to defend their elite Superfish titles of last year.

Pallister will look to win five in a row, with 5000 swimmers taking part from 11am, with the race culminating at the Lorne Surf Life Saving Club.

Two thousand runners took part in the Mountain to Surf event. Picture: Mark Dadswell.

Two thousand runners took part in the Mountain to Surf event. Picture: Mark Dadswell.

Runners took in the Great Ocean Rd during the Mountain to Surf run. Picture: Mark Dadswell.

The Mountain to Surf run took in Lorne's tranquil forest areas. Picture: Mark Dadswell.

Originally published as Hayden Cotter and Lani Pallister both win their fifth consecutive Pier to Pub event at Lorne