COURSE OVERVIEW
CLICK ON MAP BELOW TO SEE DYNAMIC ALLTRAILS MAP IN A NEW TAB.
Loving the idea of running the greatest coastal ultra but not sure you can (ship)wreck yourself on the whole hundred? No dramas. With the re-launch of GOTU / GOW100, we have added a ‘half’ in the form of the 45km (solo only).
Strictly limited to 150 runners! Enter early.
The run follows the SECOND HALF of the established Great Ocean Walk track which is well signposted.
In the spirit of running the official GOW track from end-to-end, there are no deviations or add-ons. This might mean the distance traveled is slightly less than 45km. Or it might be slightly more than 45km. Being a true trail race there will always be variations in measurements and the distances listed below are to be used as a guide only.
There are numerous junctions and camping grounds along the Walk that are generally very well signposted. Stop and look and NOTE: you do not leave the trail to go into any Hike-In Campgrounds.
Be aware that you should never be on a beach after Milanesia (11km) and never on bitumen. Do not run on a bitumen road. If you do, you are in the wrong place. There re some short sections on dirt road, however.
While there will be some supplementary course marking, GOTU45 is essentially an unmarked course. The course marking will be very minimal and mainly for the first section which is run in pre-dawn light. Runners are expected to be able to navigate the course following their map, and the Parks' signage and any electronic nav they so choose. There are almost no junctions that are confusing anymore. Given that the course follows the coast fairly closely for most of the way navigation is relatively straight forward. The trail does pass through areas of dense rainforest and getting off course could pose considerable dangers here so stay on the track. If you miss a beach exit at any stage and find yourself on rocks at sea level going around a headland, go back as there are no dangerous places like this on the course.
This is a closed course. This means that the established trail must be followed. There should be no cutting the course, no cutting switchbacks, and no detours that would shorten the course. If you get off course you need to retrace your path until you return to the official course before continuing under your own effort i.e. do not accept a ride in a vehicle back onto the course as this will lead to disqualification.
Follow the yellow arrows on the timber posts and check the green metal distance signs and you can't go wrong. The green signs have the GREAT OCEAN WALK clearly labelled. The signage looks like this:
IMPORTANT NOTE NEW FINISHLINE LOCATION
For 2025, the GOTU course has been altered due to construction works at 12 Apostles Visitor Information Centre. The altered course now runs through to the Visit Victoria GOW lookout site as per usual course. Runners then veer down to the adjacent car park (approx. 50 metres) to check in at an aid station there before turning around and running the course in reverse back to Princetown Recreation Reserve where the finishline and Event Central Command will now operate from.
So any support crew should wait at Princetown Rec Reserve (yes, you can camp, bookings required). No support crew are allowed at the final checkpoint (GOW Lookout Car Park - as there is extremely limited parking/
KEY INFORMATION
HALF MARATHON
RACE DATE
Saturday 25th October 2025
DISTANCE
45km (approx)
RECORDS
Ali Patterson (2024) - 5:48:23
Tim Goddard (2024) - 4:13:35
START POINT
Johanna Beach via great Ocean Road
END POINT
Twelve Apostles Visitor Centre
ENTRY FEE*
$265
$305 late fee from 1 September
START TIME
10am
Race brief at start line
CUT-OFF TIMES
Parkers Access Track (18km) - 2.00pm
Princetown Rec Reserve (35km) - 5pm
GOW Lookout Car Park - 6pm
Finish Line (45km) - 7pm
AID STATIONS & WATER POINTS
There will only be THREE aid stations along the 45km race route:
Parkers Access Track 18km
Princetown 35km
GOW Lookout 40km
NOTE: THIS IS A CUP-FREE EVENT! There will be no cups supplied at aid stations on course or at the finish, in line with our environmental stewardship. PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN hydration receptacles – hydropack, hand held bottles, water belt, collapsible cup…