• About Us
  • Contact Us
Today Headline
No Result
View All Result
  • breaking news today
    • Politics news
    • Sports
    • Science News & Society
  • Entertainment News
    • Movie
    • Gaming
  • Technology News
    • Automotive
    • Software & IT
  • Health News
    • Lifestyle
    • Insurance
  • Finance News
    • Money
  • Enterprise
  • Contact Us
  • breaking news today
    • Politics news
    • Sports
    • Science News & Society
  • Entertainment News
    • Movie
    • Gaming
  • Technology News
    • Automotive
    • Software & IT
  • Health News
    • Lifestyle
    • Insurance
  • Finance News
    • Money
  • Enterprise
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
TodayHeadline
No Result
View All Result

Pier to Pub to go virtual as Victoria records highest daily increase in COVID-19 cases

2 years ago
in breaking news today
Reading Time: 4 mins read


Organisers of two popular annual events in a regional Victorian tourist hotspot have cancelled with just three days to go due to rising COVID-19 case numbers.

Key points:

  • The Pier to Pub swim and Mountain to Surf run will now take place virtually
  • Competitors will have until January 31 to submit their times electronically
  • Many volunteers were COVID-affected and organisers are worried about 25,000 people flocking to Lorne

The Pier to Pub swim and Mountain to Surf run attract thousands of competitors and spectators each January to the Surf Coast town of Lorne.

But ahead of this year’s competitions this coming Friday and Saturday, the Lorne Surf Life Saving Club has announced a shift to virtual competitions “out of an abundance of caution”.

Event spokesman Mike Napolitano told ABC Radio Melbourne organisers felt bringing 25,000 people to Lorne “was probably not the right thing to be doing”.

Mr Napolitano said many volunteers had “either succumbed to COVID or had to isolate, so we’ve had to really reassess how many volunteers we’d have for the event on the weekend”.

The crowd in Lorne watches the Pier to Pub race
Lorne’s annual Pier to Pub typically attracts thousands of people to the Surf Coast town.(ABC News: Gemma Hall)

“The volunteerism we have in Lorne and the surf club to help support these events is key to their success and the safety of the competitors and spectators,” he said.

“The other thing that’s happening in the town is the health services down here — the local Lorne hospital, which we’re extremely lucky to have — [has] also got a lot of pressure on it at the moment.

“Similarly, the local traders, cafes, restaurants, and all the services a town like Lorne needs to survive, they’re also doing it hard with staff.”

The organisers’ decision was announced on a day Victoria recorded a record-high 14,020 new infections.

Regulars ‘disappointed’ but understanding

During the nomination process race entrants were given the option to choose between a full refund or to compete in a virtual competition in the event of a cancellation.

In a statement, the Lorne Surf Life Saving Club said competitors would now have until January 31 to complete the events virtually and record their time.

Random prizes and medals will still be awarded, and T-shirts will be sent to those who compete virtually.

Former Geelong footballer Cameron Ling at the Pier to Pub in Lorne.
Former Geelong footballer Cameron Ling competing in the 2019 edition of the Pier to Pub in Lorne.(ABC News: Gemma Hall)

Refunds would be processed in the next two weeks for those who requested them, the club said.

Mr Napolitano said many families had been participating in the run and swim for “decades” and “those people I have no doubt will be disappointed this decision has been made”.

“But having spoken to a lot of people in the past two hours, they understand this decision has been made in the best interests of the community,” he said.

Local news direct to your inbox

ABC Ballarat will deliver a wrap of the week’s news, stories and photos every Wednesday. Sign up to stay connected.

Related Posts

breaking news today

Ireland’s ‘chronic’ record on human trafficking detailed in report sent to UN committee – The Irish Times

A “chronic deficiency” in Ireland’s...

Read more

Met chief demands legal protections for officers amid armed police revolt

Sunak urged to back HS2 to Manchester despite cost fears

Pub staff are told to stop using phrases like ‘same again?’ and ‘is that a double?’ to help limit binge drinking

Four dead in northern Kosovo as gunmen battle police, barricade themselves in monastery

Load More
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest

‘My racist MIL dyed and straightened my mixed daughter’s hair’ story leaves users in disbelief

[Reddit@Streams!]* F1 Japan Grand Prix 2023 Live Stream@Reddit On TV

Disgraced comedian Russell Brand made a 'depraved' TV documentary in which he befriended a heroin addict, then reduced him to tears by offering £50 to let him sleep with his prostitute girlfriend, the Mail on Sunday can reveal

EXCLUSIVE: Russell Brand befriended a heroin addict before reducing him to tears after offering £50 to let him sleep with his prostitute girlfriend as the couple’s toddler roamed the house during ‘depraved’ television documentary

These Strawberry and Caramel Stuffed Chocolates Are the Perfect Simple Dessert

Inside the amazing lives of nannies to the super-rich, from travelling on yachts and private jets to having a personal chef on call

Great British slowdown has hamstrung our economy – thinktank | Productivity

Man Utd transfer news LIVE: Marcus Rashford involved in car crash, Hickey interest, United ‘set to sell Sancho’

Third Star Wars: Jedi game confirmed by Cal Kestis actor Cameron Monaghan

Exploring Health benefits with gemstones – Film Daily

Why Are Black Adults at Greater Risk of Death From Heart Disease? New Study Reveals Social Factors Are Responsible

About Us

Todayheadline the independent news and topics discovery
A home-grown and independent news and topic aggregation . displays breaking news linking to news websites all around the world.

Follow Us

Latest News

Great British slowdown has hamstrung our economy – thinktank | Productivity

Man Utd transfer news LIVE: Marcus Rashford involved in car crash, Hickey interest, United ‘set to sell Sancho’

Third Star Wars: Jedi game confirmed by Cal Kestis actor Cameron Monaghan

Great British slowdown has hamstrung our economy – thinktank | Productivity

Man Utd transfer news LIVE: Marcus Rashford involved in car crash, Hickey interest, United ‘set to sell Sancho’

Third Star Wars: Jedi game confirmed by Cal Kestis actor Cameron Monaghan

  • Real Estate
  • Parenting
  • Cooking
  • NFL Games On TV Today
  • Travel and Tourism
  • Home & Garden
  • Pets
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact
  • About

© 2023 All rights are reserved Today headline

No Result
View All Result
  • Real Estate
  • Parenting
  • Cooking
  • NFL Games On TV Today
  • Travel and Tourism
  • Home & Garden
  • Pets
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact
  • About

© 2023 All rights are reserved Today headline