Both the Marathon and Half-Marathon runners will begin on the boardwalk next to Midway Beach. The race starts just before sunrise, and participants will follow the boardwalk out of Tairāwhiti Gisborne until the first hills are reached. As runners crest the first hill, they’ll be rewarded with a view of the sun slowly rising out over the Pacific Ocean. You will be among the first people in the world to greet the new day as the sun illuminates the landscape around you.

Both marathon and half-marathon runners will face a series of short, steep hills once they are out of the city. The race is a mix of single-track trails, roads, and off-road surfaces. Half-marathon runners will loop through the hills back toward the city, while marathon runners head out to Wainui Beach for roughly a kilometer through the sand next to the sparkling waves. Then, marathon runners will head back into the hills to tackle even more challenging climbs until they once again reach Tairāwhiti Gisborne.

Both half-marathon and marathon runners will finish the race on the same boardwalk where the race began, running onto Midway Beach for some well-deserved rest and refreshments.

The route will be well-marked with many small flags, arrows, and kilometer signs. Water stations will be positioned along the route at approximately every 4 kilometers.

Some stations will also serve energy drinks, bananas, and energy gels. Personal supplies can be deposited at the start/finish area in a staffed bag drop area. There will be toilets and post-race refreshments in the start/finish area as well.

All runners considering the Geelong Advertiser Ultra Marathon please understand that this is a challenge that you must be up for both physically and mentally. Please ensure that you adjust your training to suit this course, and can run the 60km within the event cut-off time (6.5 hours) prior to registering for this event.

We strongly recommend looking at the course elevation. An elevation map for the Geelong Advertiser Ultra Marathon can be found by clicking here.

Victoria’s iconic Great Ocean Road is home to one of the world’s most visually spectacular running events.

Starting in Lorne, a seaside town on Louttit Bay in Victoria, the Ultra-Marathon course winds its way along the Great Ocean Road to the finishing line in Apollo Bay.

The course itself is flat to undulating with an elevation gain of around 1081m and there are several long, upwards sections on the course, most notably from the 33km mark to the 38km mark, where the course rises from an elevation of approximately 50m to an elevation of approximately 300m.

The last 6km of the course is relatively flat.

Victoria’s iconic Great Ocean Road is home to one of the world’s most visually spectacular running events.

Starting in Lorne, a seaside town on Louttit Bay in Victoria, the Marathon course winds its way along the Great Ocean Road to the finishing line in Apollo Bay.

The course itself is flat to undulating with an elevation gain of around 488m and there are several long, upwards sections on the course, most notably from the Cumberland River at the 5km mark to the top of Mount Defiance at around the 9km mark. The second long (ish) incline comes just after the 21km mark, taking you from the Kennett River to Cape Patton.

The last 10km of the course is relatively flat.

Victoria’s iconic Great Ocean Road is home to one of the world’s most visually spectacular running events.

Starting at the Kennett River Holiday Park, the Brooks Half Marathon course winds its way along the Great Ocean Road to the finishing line in Apollo Bay.

The course itself is 23km in total distance and is flat to undulating, with an elevation gain of around 167m and there are several long, upwards sections on the course, most notably from the Kennett River to Cape Patton.

The last 6km of the course is relatively flat.

Both the Marathon and Half-Marathon runners will begin on the boardwalk next to Midway Beach. The race starts just before sunrise, and participants will follow the boardwalk out of Tairāwhiti Gisborne until the first hills are reached. As runners crest the first hill, they’ll be rewarded with a view of the sun slowly rising out over the Pacific Ocean. You will be among the first people in the world to greet the new day as the sun illuminates the landscape around you.

Both marathon and half-marathon runners will face a series of short, steep hills once they are out of the city. The race is a mix of single-track trails, roads, and off-road surfaces. Half-marathon runners will loop through the hills back toward the city, while marathon runners head out to Wainui Beach for roughly a kilometer through the sand next to the sparkling waves. Then, marathon runners will head back into the hills to tackle even more challenging climbs until they once again reach Tairāwhiti Gisborne.

Both half-marathon and marathon runners will finish the race on the same boardwalk where the race began, running onto Midway Beach for some well-deserved rest and refreshments.

The route will be well-marked with many small flags, arrows, and kilometer signs. Water stations will be positioned along the route at approximately every 4 kilometers.

Some stations will also serve energy drinks, bananas, and energy gels. Personal supplies can be deposited at the start/finish area in a staffed bag drop area. There will be toilets and post-race refreshments in the start/finish area as well.

Start at Batman Avenue.

Head north along Batman Avenue; left into Flinders Street, left into Swanston Street, cross to northbound (west side) service lane at Princes Bridge and then head along St Kilda Road.

At St Kilda Junction, runners turn right into Fitzroy Street then right into Lakeside Drive and do a lap anti-clockwise circuit of the Lake.

This Lake loop requires runners to turn left into Albert Road Drive from Lakeside Drive and left into Aughtie Drive continuing around the Albert Park Lake roadway.

At the Carousel car park runners proceed behind and around Pits Building using Aughtie Walk before U-turning in Aughtie Drive past Turn 1

Proceed along Aughtie Dve to a right hand turn into Village Green Rd and right onto Lakeside Drive and right on to Fitzroy St.

Make a right hand turn at Acland St extension into the city bound lanes of Beaconsfield Parade, proceed north to a U-turn just before Bay St heading south back along Beaconsfield Pde toward St Kilda.

At the Beaconsfield Parade intersection with Jacka Boulevard, runners will veer right and head towards Elwood using Jacka Boulevard, Marine Parade and Ormond Esplanade to a U-Turn near St Kilda St. Runners then return north along Ormond Esplanade, Marine Parade, Jacka Blvd in to a right hand turn into extension of Acland St, followed by a left hand turn into Fitzroy St.

Turn left into the St Kilda Road northbound service lanes and continue to left hand turn into Southbank Blvd, right hand turn into Sturt St and proceed (under the St Kilda Rd) along Alexandra Ave to a right hand turn into Linlithgow Ave.

Proceed along Linlithgow Ave to Birdwood Ave to right hand turn into Domain Rd.

Take a right hand turn up Dallas Brooks drive, left onto Birdwood Ave, veer left onto Government House drive and then right onto St Kilda Road.

Proceed along St Kilda Rd to a right hand turn into Flinders St.

Veer right into Wellington Parade South, turn right into Brunton Ave then left into the MCG via Gate C and do one lap of the MCG to the finish line.

Note: : Course is subject to change.

The Australian Outback Marathon, Half Marathon, 11km and 6km courses will be predominantly off-road, made up of bush trails, access roads and tracks as well as unsealed roads. Only a small amount of the course will be run on sealed roads.

The running surface will consist mainly of the famous “red earth” that can be found all over central Australia, and stunning views of Uluru (Ayres Rock) and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) are waiting for you around almost every corner.

Please note that the course itself has some “soft sand” areas. The actual amount of sand depends on the weather during the previous couple of months.

Are you up for the challenge? Our packages suit all tastes and budgets, the Australian Outback Marathon is a must for runners who have wanted to explore the stunning Australian outback.

Our marathon travel packages include guaranteed race entry, accommodation within close proximity to the location of the event, transport, pre-race meals and more. With plenty of local runners this marathon fills quickly so don’t miss out, book your travel package today.

The Australian Outback Marathon, Half Marathon, 11km and 6km courses will be predominantly off-road, made up of bush trails, access roads and tracks as well as unsealed roads. Only a small amount of the course will be run on sealed roads.

The running surface will consist mainly of the famous “red earth” that can be found all over central Australia, and stunning views of Uluru (Ayres Rock) and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) are waiting for you around almost every corner.

Please note that the course itself has some “soft sand” areas. The actual amount of sand depends on the weather during the previous couple of months. Are you up for the challenge? Our packages suit all tastes and budgets, the Australian Outback Marathon is a must for runners who have wanted to explore the stunning Australian outback.

Our marathon travel packages include guaranteed race entry, accommodation within close proximity to the location of the event, transport, pre-race meals and more. With plenty of local runners this marathon fills quickly so don’t miss out, book your travel package today.