SATURDAY 26 OCTOBER 2024
“I have seldom seen a more fearful section of coastline.”
- Early Explorer Matthew Flinders -
“Nor one that offers such sublime trail running.”
- Race Directors Chris & Andy -
Welcome to long awaited return of the Great Ocean Walk 100,
now rebadged the Great Ocean Trail Ultra but still
Australia’s most iconic oceanside ultra, weaving its singletrack magic alongside the most famous coastline our continent has to offer.
Come run it with us.
After a lengthy hiatus of 4 years due to Covid and subsequent circumstances, plans are underway to bring GOW100 / GOTU back for 2024.
Things will be a tad different - not least as you will have new Race Directors at the helm in Tour de Trails’ Chris Ord and Hut 2 Hut’s Andy Payne - but it will be the same awesome course, winding through the Otway forests, along wind-swept beaches and climbing rugged headlands.
Thank you for your patience while work is underway to restart this classic event and give you a day to remember back on the trails this October.
We give thanks to the founder of the event, Andy Hewat, for entrusting GOW100 to us.
We aim to honour his legacy and that of all runners and volunteers who have come before.
We also hope to grow the event some while also maintaining its grassroots vibe, welcoming atmosphere and deliverance of many finish line hugs. We’re famous for em.
CONSERVATION PARTNERS
The team behind GOTU is pretty passionate about the environment and about the Great Ocean and Otway landscapes in particular (one of the directors was born in these parts!). So we are proud to partner up with two organisations that for us epitomise what being responsible custodians of our landscapes is about:
CONSERVATION ECOLOGY CENTRE (& WILD LIFE WONDERS)
The Conservation Ecology Centre is a nationally registered non-profit ecological research, and conservation organisation dedicated to protecting and understanding Australian ecosystems. The Centre works to develop and deliver solutions to the most urgent conservation challenges in the Otways region. Its vision is a healthy and resilient Otways cared for forever. Its purpose is to generate knowledge to nurture the Otways landscape. All projects are chosen for their potential to have a broad application and to benefit wildlife and environments locally, throughout the Australian landscape and around the world. Be sure to drop in to the Wildlife Wonders Centre, located on the Great Ocean Road just outside Apollo Bay, to see what wonderful work they do in the region. Find out more at: www.conservationecologycentre.org
Wildlife Wonders is a non-profit social enterprise founded by the Conservation Ecology Centre. It’s a unique ecotourism experience, with 100% of its profits being directed to the CEC’s research and conservation programs. So every time you visit, or even buy a coffee you’re giving back. At Wildlife Wonders you can experience the wild side of the Great Ocean Road, to explore a spectacular Australian bushland environment, where the forest meets the sea, just 5km from Apollo Bay. The sanctuary is protected by a fox and cat proof fence, so it is free from feral predators. This means you’ll be able to enjoy a thriving Otways ecosystem that presently cannot be found elsewhere. Whether you visit to spot a koala on a guided nature walk in the wildlife sanctuary, or unwind with a great coffee and some souvenir shopping, your visit directly supports the ongoing environmental conservation of the unique Otways environment. Find out more at: wildlifewonders.org.au
FOR WILD PLACES
A now staple on the trail running scene, the FWP membership community is a platform that encourages and allows trail runners to have a positive impact on the environment. For Wild Places aims to shorten the gap between passion and nature, the ways things currently are, and they way they should be. It aims to reconnect trail runners with the places they love to explore, and through education, awareness and action allow them the agency to become sports Activists. From litter clean ups to trail maintenance works in partnership with land managers like Parks Victoria, FWP is a direct action community that ‘gets your hands dirty’ to help protect th trails we love to run. Including the Great Ocean Walk on which GOTU runs. So get involved, and definitely become a member! Find out more at: www.forwildplaces.com/
EVENT BASICS
GOW starts where the bitumen running ends - in Apollo Bay
Finishes at the world famous Twelve Apostles
This is the original trail ultra on the west coast of Victoria
A real trail ultra on a point-to-point course - nothing contrived here
Challenging but achievable
100 kilometre solo race
55/45 two-person relay race option
NEW 45km - come get half wrecked
Strictly limited field size (250 in 100km and 100 in the 45km)
Run the complete Great Ocean Walk - an iconic trail that usually takes bushwalkers 4-5 days to complete - you’ll see the entire GOW trail in one day
Approx 73% singletrack, 20% fire trail/gravel, 5% beach, 2% pavement & some of the sweetest singletrack anywhere!
Start time 5am - extended 20hr cutoff - finish before 1am for a coveted GOTU buckle
For the sake of your safety and that of our volunteers - cut-offs along course will be strictly enforced
All checkpoint food is vegetarian with vegan options
Cupless event
Wilderness you just can't see from the Great Ocean Road!
NOTE ON REFUND POLICY
Participants agree upon entering that they have read the refund policy and that they are entering on the understanding that there are
no refunds beyond midnight 22 September 2024,
nor any deferrals to future events in the instance of illness, injury, COVID contraction or other personal reason for non attendance.
Prior to 22 September 2023 a full refund less admin fee of $50 is offered.
*
REGO CHANGES & ADDING MERCHANDISE OR BUS TICKETS
NEED TO ADD A BUS TICKET OR MERCHANDISE TO YOUR ENTRY?
OR YOU WANT TO TRANSFER TO A DIFFERENT DISTANCE?
YOU CAN DO BOTH BY LOGGING ON TO YOUR PARTICIPANT PORTAL ON RACE ROSTER
RACE PHOTOS
Want that killer event photo of you steaming along the single track?
Just click below and find your Eventurers pics.
2024 will be available Monday after race day.
The Runs
Course description, Google Map, GPX downloads…
Event Program
The lowdown on what is happening when and where
Volunteer
The heart and soul of any event… join the crew
Acknowledgement
We recognise and acknowledge the Eastern Maar People as the custodians and knowledge holders of the lands and waters encompassed by the Great Ocean Walk region and have been for millennia.
As its First Peoples, the Eastern Maar communities hold a unique position and we recognise that there is much to learn from Traditional Owners and how they engage with and protect the landscapes we as trail runners so cherish. We seek to work respectfully with Traditional Owners to ensure we engage on terms that they choose, respecting their rights (including to self-determination), their cultures and knowledge.
We acknowledge and give thanks to the Eastern Maar ancestors who cared for the lands, rivers and sea, and all living creatures for thousands of generations. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future who continue the path of stewardship of the natural landscapes we all love and wish to preserve.
Learn more via: www.easternmaar.com.au