Great Ocean Road Running Festival

Apollo Bay, Australia • 16-17 May 2026

Event Details

The Great Ocean Road Running Festival takes place on the 16th and 17th of May, 2026, in Victoria, Australia, along the Southern Ocean coast. The event is presented by Melrose and features eight different distances across two days. The courses take place on the Great Ocean Road and on trails, with roads closed to traffic during the runs.

Distances

The festival offers a range of distances:

  • Ecosa Ultra Marathon (60km)
  • Melrose Great Ocean Road Marathon (44km)
  • Brooks Half Marathon (23km)
  • 14km Paradise Run
  • Srilankan Airlines 6km Run
  • 12km Trail Run
  • 1.5km Kids' Gallop
  • Great Ocean Road Walk (5km/10km)

Some events start in Apollo Bay on Saturday, while others start on Sunday in Lorne or Kennett River.

Festival Experience

Beyond the runs, the festival includes other activities such as glamping (presented by Ecosa), yoga, live music, and kite flying. The area is known for its scenic coastline and wildlife, such as kangaroos and koalas. The event acknowledges the Gadubanud people as the traditional custodians of the land. 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

Explore the Otway Ranges on the scenic Old Beechy Rail Trail. Choose from a 16 km or 6.3 km timed run, or a 6.3 km walk, all finishing in Gellibrand. The event supports local health and youth programs.

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..

Run Forrest Trail Run offers winter trail running under the Otway canopy. With distances from a kids' 6km to a 21km route, it's a staged start event with a mandatory briefing. This marks the 14th annual edition in Forrest, Victoria.

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.