Great Ocean Road Running Festival

Apollo Bay, Australia • 16-17 May 2026

2026 Great Ocean Road Running Festival

The Great Ocean Road Running Festival is an annual sporting event held along the coastline of Victoria. The 2026 edition takes place over two days in May, featuring a variety of distances that follow the scenic Great Ocean Road and surrounding areas. The event is centered around several locations including Apollo Bay, Lorne, and Kennett River.

The festival provides options for different participation preferences, including road running, trail running, and walking. Participants can choose from nine different events:

  • 60 km Ecosa Ultra Marathon
  • 44 km Melrose Marathon
  • 23 km Brooks Half Marathon (running and walking options available)
  • 14 km Paradise Run
  • 12 km Trail Run
  • 10 km Great Ocean Road Walk
  • 6 km Run
  • 5 km Great Ocean Road Walk
  • 1.5 km Kids Gallop

Courses start from various points; the longer distances such as the 60 km Ultra Marathon and 44 km Marathon begin in Lorne, while shorter Saturday events like the 14 km, 6 km, and 1.5 km races start near the Apollo Bay Hotel. The festival also accommodates racing wheelchairs for the 14 km Paradise Run. International participants are welcome across all event categories. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.

Race information

60 km
Ecosa Ultra Marathon
44 km
Melrose Great Ocean Road Marathon
23 km
Brooks Half Marathon
14 km
14km Paradise Run
12 km
12km Trail Run
10 km
Great Ocean Road Walk (5km/10km)
6 km
Srilankan Airlines 6km Run
1.5km Kids’ Gallop
Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
Trail runs nearby

Experience the beauty of the Otway Ranges on a non technical course along the Old Beechy Rail Trail with options for a 16km run or a 6.3km walk and run finishing in the village of Gellibrand.

Two day Kangaroobie Base Camp Ultra Relay near Princetown, Victoria, sends teams of four plus across over 216 km of farmland and bush with the Southern Ocean and 12 Apostles as backdrop. Expect looped legs from base camp and graveyard shift..

Experience winter trail running under the Otway canopy in Forrest Victoria. This long running event features 21km 10km and 6km courses including a dedicated kids category.

Discover mountain trails and waterfalls on this Saturday trail run near Lorne. Starting at a holiday park, the courses range from 6km to a new 75km distance. Be prepared for scenic river crossings right from the start.