COURSE OVERVIEW
CLICK ON MAP BELOW TO SEE DYNAMIC CAPRA 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 100 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:
MAPPING via CAPRA
CLICK ON MAP BELOW TO SEE DYNAMIC CAPRA MAP IN A NEW TAB.
KEY INFORMATION
HALF MARATHON
RACE DATE
Saturday 26th October 2024
DISTANCE
45km (approx)
RECORDS
TBC
START POINT
Johanna Beach via great Ocean Road
END POINT
Twelve Apostles Visitor Centre
ENTRY FEE* TEAMS
$255
START TIME
8.30am (TBC)
Race brief at start line
CUT-OFF TIMES
TBC
AID STATIONS & WATER POINTS
There will only be ONE aid stations along the 45km race route:
The Gables 24km
We are considering adding an extra aid station at Princetown approx 35km
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…