The Great Ocean Road Marathon has become one of Victoria’s most iconic running events, attracting athletes from around the world to the spectacular coastline that also hosts the legendary Great Ocean Walk. Known for its dramatic cliffs, lush rainforests, rolling hills, and sweeping ocean views, this region offers far more than the famous 12 Apostles — it tells a powerful story of endurance, community spirit, and personal challenge.
From walkers seeking a quiet immersion in nature to runners testing themselves against the elements, the Great Ocean Road and Great Ocean Walk continue to inspire adventure-lovers of all kinds.
Whether your dream is to run the full 104 km of the Great Ocean Walk or to take things at a gentler pace on one of Walk91’s self-guided Great Ocean Walk tours, there’s an itinerary to suit every goal — from boosting your fitness to soaking up unforgettable scenery at your own rhythm.
So lace up your shoes and get inspired — because the connection between the Great Ocean Road and running is as strong as the ocean winds that shape its cliffs.
If you have any questions or want to plan your own Great Ocean Walk experience, get in touch with our friendly local team — we’re here to help every step of the way.
Be Inspired By The Great Ocean Walk or the Great Ocean Road Running Festival
Be Inspired by the Great Ocean Walk and the Great Ocean Road Running Festival
The Great Ocean Road is more than just a scenic drive — it’s a living monument to endurance, mateship, and community spirit.
Built by returned World War I veterans between 1919 and 1932, this coastal masterpiece stands today as the world’s longest war memorial, winding along cliffs, beaches, and rainforests that continue to move and inspire all who travel it.
As we celebrate over 100 years of the Great Ocean Road, it’s not just the engineering achievement we honour, but also the local legends who helped shape its story.
From Cliff Young, the humble potato farmer from the Otways who became an ultramarathon icon, to Les Noseda, an Apollo Bay local whose passion helped inspire the creation of the Great Ocean Road Running Festival , this region has long been a place where endurance meets inspiration.
Be Part of the Action – or Take It at Your Own Pace
We cover the Great Ocean Road Running Festival in more detail below, but needless to say, it completely transforms the region for one incredible weekend each year. The road is closed to traffic, the atmosphere is electric, and runners from all over the world come together to celebrate endurance, community, and this world-famous coastline.
But the beauty of the Great Ocean Road region is that you don’t need to wait for marathon weekend to experience it. For those who prefer a slower pace (or who can’t make it to the festival), there’s always the Great Ocean Walk — a stunning 104 km coastal trail stretching from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles.
If you’re keen to run through the Otways or set your own challenge, you can take to the Great Ocean Walk trail any day of the year (subject to availability) — without the crowds, road closures, or traffic worries. With Walk91, we’ll take care of everything:
- Luggage transfers
- Accommodation bookings
- Food and logistics
So all you need to do is focus on the journey ahead.
If this sounds like a challenge you’d love to train for, get in touch with our friendly team — we’d love to help you plan your perfect walk or run.
👉 And don’t miss our comprehensive guide: Everything You Need to Know About the Great Ocean Walk — packed with local tips, route highlights, and insider advice to inspire your next adventure.
The Great Ocean Road Running Festival: Global Appeal with Local Roots
First held in 2005, the Great Ocean Road Running Festival began as a heartfelt local initiative. Founded by longtime Apollo Bay resident Les Noseda, with the support of the Apollo Bay Chamber of Commerce, the goal was simple yet powerful — to bring visitors to the coast during the quieter winter months and to showcase the beauty and resilience of our community.
Just one year later, Parks Victoria officially opened the Great Ocean Walk, giving visitors the chance to explore the same spectacular coastline on foot, safely and sustainably. Together, these two great initiatives have helped shape Apollo Bay’s identity as a hub for outdoor adventure and nature-based tourism.
What started as a modest event of around 500 runners has grown into an internationally recognised festival, attracting over 10,000 participants each year. The original 44 km marathon route from Lorne to Apollo Bay remains the centrepiece of the event, celebrated for its stunning views, challenging hills, and oceanfront finish line.
Beyond the race itself, the festival has become a multi-day celebration of running, wellness, and community, inspiring people from all over the world to connect through sport and scenery.
Thanks to Les’s vision, the event has provided a major boost to local businesses, drawing visitors during the off-peak season and supporting the town’s economy. It has also raised thousands of dollars for local charities and Apollo Bay P-12 College, whose students, parents, and friends volunteer each year to help ensure the festival’s success.
The festival also proudly supports the Conservation Ecology Centre, one of our favourite local charities, which works tirelessly to protect the Otways’ ecosystems and wildlife. Visitors can learn more about their work — and meet some of the incredible local species they protect — by visiting Wildlife Wonders during the festival weekend.
What began as one local’s dream has grown into a global event — but it still carries the same community spirit, stunning scenery, and sense of purpose that make the Great Ocean Road Running Festival a truly unforgettable experience.
Why the Otways Region is Famous for Running: The Legacy of Cliff Young
The breathtaking landscapes of the Great Ocean Road and the Otway Ranges naturally inspire outdoor adventure — from hiking and trail running to endurance challenges. But this region’s connection to Australia’s running heritage goes far deeper, thanks to one remarkable man: Cliff Young.
A humble potato farmer from Beech Forest, high in the Otways, Cliff became an unlikely national hero when, at the age of 61, he won the inaugural Sydney to Melbourne Ultramarathon in 1983 — a gruelling 875 km race that pushed athletes to their limits.
When Cliff arrived at the starting line, dressed in his work clothes and gumboots, many spectators chuckled. He looked nothing like the elite athletes beside him. But when the race began, Cliff’s unique “shuffle” running style — slow, steady, and relentless — carried him through while others slept. He ran almost continuously for five days, overtaking competitors half his age, and crossed the finish line first to the astonishment of the nation.
Australia fell in love with Cliff instantly. He embodied the Aussie underdog spirit — modest, determined, and quietly unstoppable. Newspapers hailed him as a “national treasure”, and his story spread worldwide. He was even interviewed by Michael Parkinson, cementing his place in Australian folklore.
Today, Cliff’s legacy continues to inspire runners who come to train, walk, or race in the Otways and along the Great Ocean Road, driven by the same resilience and heart that made him an icon.
If you have time, the ABC’s documentary on Cliff Young is a wonderful watch — a tribute to the man whose endurance and humility captured a nation’s imagination.
What Was Cliff Young’s Ultramarathon Secret?
Cliff Young’s incredible endurance — and his now-famous “Cliffy Young Shuffle” — wasn’t born on a racetrack, but on the rolling hills of his family farm in Beech Forest, deep in the Otway Ranges.
Each day, Cliff would run up to 30 kilometres across rugged paddocks and muddy slopes while rounding up his brother’s cattle. With the Otways’ constant rain and boggy ground, he often wore gumboots, sloshing through puddles and thick mud as he worked.
Over the years, this unintentional training developed his distinctive, shuffling stride — a steady, energy-efficient way of running that allowed him to keep moving for days without rest. When Cliff entered the 1983 Sydney to Melbourne Ultramarathon, this technique became his secret weapon. While others sprinted and stopped to sleep, Cliff just kept “shuffling” through the night — and won the race in record time.
Even decades later, his legacy lives on. The gumboot sculpture in Beech Forest stands as a tribute to the unassuming farmer who became a national hero — a symbol of grit, humility, and the enduring Aussie spirit. Thanks to Cliff, the Otways are known not only for their breathtaking beauty, but also as the birthplace of an Aussie battler who could outrun the world.
The Great Ocean Road Running Festival in 2026!
Get ready for an incredible weekend along this stunning coastline on the 16-17 May2026, presented by Melrose. Widely regarded as one of the world’s most spectacular running events, it offers a unique chance to run uninterrupted along this breathtaking stretch with full road closures from Lorne to Apollo Bay. Register here!
Walk at Your Own Pace — Or Run It!
The Great Ocean Walk is designed to be flexible and accessible, offering something for walkers and runners of all fitness levels. You can take on the full 104 km route or choose shorter sections that suit your time, pace, and ability.
At Walk91, we make the journey seamless. Our self-guided walking tours range from three to ten days and include:
- Comfortable accommodation
- Daily luggage transfers
- Return transport and support
- Pre-walk briefings and local insights
This means you can simply focus on enjoying the scenery — not the logistics.
Prefer to Run the Trail? We’ve Got You Covered.
If you’d rather lace up your runners than your hiking boots, Walk91 can create a custom running itinerary along the Great Ocean Walk. We’ve supported endurance athletes and recreational runners alike with flexible, fully supported trail-running options.
🏃♂️ Sample Itinerary: The Great Ocean Walk Trail Run
(Approx. 104 km total)
- Day 1: Apollo Bay → Cape Otway Lighthouse — 32.5 km
- Day 2: Cape Otway Lighthouse → Milanesia Gate — 33.5 km
- Day 3: Milanesia Gate → 12 Apostles — 38 km
If those legs sound a little long, no problem! We can adjust your distances and design an itinerary that fits your pace and experience level. Whether you want to challenge yourself or enjoy a relaxed coastal run, we’ll help you plan your perfect adventure — complete with local advice, transfers, and support.
Looking for a Bigger Challenge?
If you’re keen to test your endurance with a larger team or event, why not consider the Great Ocean Trail Ultra? This epic run offers another chance to experience the same spectacular coastline — with an extra boost of camaraderie and competition.
Let Us Help You Plan Your Great Ocean Road Run
So, whether you’re lacing up for the Great Ocean Road Running Festival or planning a future hike or run along the Great Ocean Walk, or simply reflecting on the remarkable legacy of local legends like Cliff Young and Les Noseda, the Great Ocean Road region offers a powerful mix of breathtaking landscapes and uplifting stories for anyone who loves to stay active.
Cliff once said that “real ordinary blokes are capable of extraordinary things” and that “you’re never too old to realise a dream.” Perhaps those words helped inspire Les Noseda to chase his own dream of running a marathon through his beloved Otways — and we’re so glad he did.
If you’re ready to start planning your Great Ocean Walk adventure, Walk91 is here to help. Browse our range of self-guided Great Ocean Walk tours and guided Great Ocean Walk tours to find the experience that captures your imagination the most.
Thinking about walking or running the Great Ocean Walk? We’d love to help!
If the Great Ocean Walk is on your list — or has just jumped to the top — our local team in Apollo Bay is here to help you plan the perfect hike.
📍 Locally Based. Highly Experienced. Walk with Confidence.
👉 Get in touch:
📞 Phone: 03 5237 1189
📩 Email: info@walk91.com.au
🌐 Website: www.walk91.com.au
FAQs on running the Great Ocean Walk, on the Great Ocean Road.
Yes — you can run sections of the Great Ocean Walk, but it is designed as a long-distance hiking trail, not a formal running track. Some sections are sandy, steep or tidal, so planning around tides and track conditions is essential. Start and end points are also spaced widely apart, so support vehicles or shuttles are recommended.
The Great Ocean Road Marathon is a road-running event on sealed roads between Lorne and Apollo Bay.
Running the Great Ocean Walk is entirely different — it’s a rugged coastal trail with beaches, forests and cliff sections. It’s more physically demanding and requires navigation, planning and appropriate trail-running gear.
Yes. Faster, runnable sections include Apollo Bay to Shelley Beach, Aire River to Johanna, and Moonlight Head to The Twelve Apostles. Technical sections such as Elliot Ridge to Cape Otway and Station Beach to Ryans Den require caution and may slow your pace.
Solo running is possible but not recommended unless you are an experienced trail runner familiar with remote terrain. Mobile coverage is patchy, weather changes quickly, and sections such as Station Beach require tide planning. Walk91 provides safety briefings, track notes, and emergency beacons for hikers and runners using our shuttle services.
Yes. Walk91 can offer shuttle transfers, custom pick-up and drop-off points, and local guidance so you can safely cover the distances you want each day. We can also advise on tides, weather and track conditions, including sections that may not be runnable after heavy rain or storms.
No permit is required for day-running sections. However, overnight stays in hike-in campsites must be pre-booked through Parks Victoria.
Trail shoes, hydration vests, layers for changing weather, and a charged mobile phone are essential. Some runners also carry poles, gaiters and lightweight waterproof jackets. We strongly recommend checking tides and carrying a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) — Walk91 provides these for all self-guided walkers.
No. The marathon follows the Great Ocean Road (Lorne → Apollo Bay), not the Great Ocean Walk. They are separate routes, but both offer spectacular coastal scenery.
Autumn and spring usually offer the most stable weather. Summer can be hot and exposed; winter brings wind and rain, making some sections slippery.
Elite runners have completed the full 100 km trail in a day, but most trail runners break it into 2–4 sections depending on fitness and support. Because terrain varies significantly, it is slower than typical ultra-marathon courses.
