The 2019 Great Ocean Road Running Festival
LIMBER UP FOR AUSTRALIA’S MOST STUNNING RUNNING EVENT
For 363 days of the year, a convoy of tour buses, travellers and sightseers traverse Victoria’s picturesque Great Ocean Road.
But for one weekend in May, the scenic route belongs solely to 8000 athletes pounding the pavement in The 2019 Great Ocean Road Running Festival.
Registrations are open for all seven running events taking place from Saturday 18 – Sunday 19 May 2019, from a 60km Ultra Marathon to a 1.5km Kids Gallop.
The courses follow the coastline between Lorne and Apollo Bay with runners afforded stunning vistas of the Southern Ocean as they challenge themselves to complete their event.
Festival Director Marcus Gale said The Great Ocean Road Running Festival was the only time traffic on the Australian Heritage-listed road was stopped for runners to enjoy the road.
“This is one of the world’s most breathtaking marathon courses and with the entire stretch closed to traffic, you essentially have the road to yourself,” Mr Gale said.
“The various distances are all varying degrees of personal challenge and our participants sign up for the experience of tackling an iconic stretch of road, pushing themselves to achieve their personal goals and connecting with a community of like minded runners.”
Hometown hero Julian Spence has won The Great Ocean Road Running Festival marathon for the past four years and is limbering up for a shot at a fifth title.
“I grew up on the coast and always get caught up in the wild coastline views that the runners encounter during the event,” Mr Spence said.
“The atmosphere at the finish line is as good as any race I’ve run. Crowds line the road to create a very stirring finish line chute!
“The lack of pressure to run a fast time on the undulating course makes for a more connected experience with fellow runners and the surrounds, and has helped me embrace the hills rather than fear them.”
Adding to the camaraderie of the destination event is a program of free entertainment and activities for runners, their families and support crews in two festival hubs at Lorne and Apollo Bay.
A wellness program delivers yoga sessions tailored to runners with live music, a film festival, kite festival and free or discounted access to local attractions across the weekend.
Registrations for the 2019 event are now open, with an early bird discount available until 19 February offering the best price and a personalised race bib.
For information and tickets, visit http://greatoceanroadrunfest.com.au
The 2019 Great Ocean Road Running Festival
May 18-19
Lorne to Apollo Bay, Victoria
Saturday 18th May
Paradise Run & Wheelchair Race (14km)
Run (6km)
Great Ocean Road Real Estate Kids’ Gallop (1.5km)
Sunday 19th May
Lorne Hotel Great Ocean Road Walk (5km or 10km)
Ultra Marathon (60km)
Great Ocean Road Marathon (44km)
Half Marathon (23km)
Register at http://greatoceanroadrunfest.com.au
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