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Great Ocean Trail Ultra

2025

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Welcome to the 2nd running of the
Great Ocean Trail Ultra
Australia’s most iconic oceanside ultra, weaving its singletrack magic alongside the most famous coastline our continent has to offer.
Come run it with us.

Last year, after a lengthy hiatus, GOTU (formerly the GOW100) returned with much acclaim.

Things were a little different - not least with new Race Directors at the helm in Tour de Trails’ Chris Ord and Hut 2 Hut’s Andy Payne - but it was the same, grassroots, awesome course, winding through the Otway forests, along wind-swept beaches and climbing rugged headlands.

Thank you to everyone who undertook the restart to this classic event and had a day to remember back on the trails.

We give thanks to the founder of the event, Andy Hewat, for entrusting this event to us. We aim to honour his legacy of what is a foundation event in the annuls of Australia's trail running history, and honour the efforts of all runners and volunteers who have contributed to the event over the years. We hope to grow the event while maintaining its grassroots vibe, welcoming atmosphere and deliverance of many finish line hugs. We're famous for em.


Countdown to event

Registration fees

Prices are inclusive of mandatory charges, items, and fees

45km solo Spots remaining: 90

Price changes in 21 days 21 hours

    1. $265.00

      Regular Pricing

      Now registering Nov 20 – Aug 31
      Register for 45km solo
    2. $305.00

      Late Entry Pricing

      Sept 1 – Oct 24

100km solo Spots remaining: 172

Price changes in 21 days 21 hours

    1. $475.00

      Standard Registration

      Now registering Nov 20 – Aug 31
      Register for 100km solo
    2. $515.00

      Late Registration

      Sept 1 – Oct 24

100km Team Relay - Captain Spots remaining: 47

Price changes in 21 days 21 hours

100km Team Relay - Member

Why Run GOTU?

The basics:

  • GOW starts where the bitumen running ends - in Apollo Bay

  • Finishes at the world famous Twelve Apostles

  • This is the original trail ultra on the west coast of Victoria

  • A real trail ultra on a point-to-point course - nothing contrived here

  • Challenging but achievable

  • 100 kilometre solo race

  • 55/45 two-person relay race option

  • 45km - come get half wrecked as a stepping stone to the Big Mama

  • Strictly limited field size (300 in 100km and 100 in the 45km)

  • Run the complete Great Ocean Walk - an iconic trail that usually takes bushwalkers 4-5 days to complete - you’ll see the entire GOW trail in one day

  • Approx 73% singletrack, 20% fire trail/gravel, 5% beach, 2% pavement & some of the sweetest singletrack anywhere!

  • 20hr cutoff - tart time 5am and finish before 1am for a coveted GOTU buckle

  • For the sake of your safety and that of our volunteers - cut-offs along course will be strictly enforced

  • This is a cup-free event

  • Wilderness you just can't see from the Great Ocean Road!

Event Program & Schedule

Keep in mind this is subject to change - get the most up to date details here.

FRIDAY, 24TH OCTOBER

4:30pm – 6:30pm
Check In / Bib Pick up (all runners)
Mechanics Hall, Apollo Bay
Runners will be able to check in and collect their numbers, ask questions and hand in drop bags.

6:30pm – 7:30pm
Race Briefing (mandatory - 100km runners)
Apollo Bay Mechanics Hall
COMPULSORY for all 100km runners. We will also live stream on GOTU FB.
Voluntary but strongly recommended for 45km runners. 45km runners can pick up their bib at the start line on Saturday but the Friday race briefing is full of great general background.

SATURDAY 25TH OCTOBER

4:30am
100km solo and teams runners assemble at start line
Apollo Bay Visitor Information Centre Car Park
All runners must be present by 4:50am.
Drop bags can be taken at this time – they MUST be clearly labelled with name, bib number and destination drop zone (Johanna Beach, Princetown or Finish line).

5am
Race Start - 100km solo and teams
Apollo Bay Visitor Information Centre Car Park.

8:30am
Bus pick up
Twelve Apostles Visitor Information Centre
Pick up in the Bus Lane Area, rear of Twelve Apostles Visitor Information Centre. This is for those who have pre-booked &
paid (via registration) a bus to the start of the 45km run, located
at Johanna Beach. Approx arrival time: 9:30am.

9:45am
Race Briefing - 45km
Johanna Beach Car Park, at the rotunda on left

10am
Race Start - 45km
Johanna Beach Car Park

1pm – 1am
Race Finish / EVENT HQ open
Twelve Apostles Visitor Centre
First 45km runner approx from 1pm (3+ hours - new course)
First 100km runner approx 2 pm

SUNDAY 26TH OCTOBER

10am
Bus pick up, Port Campbell – Apollo Bay
Pick up in front of Port Campbell Surf Lifesaving Club, Cairns Street, Port Campbell

This is the bus for those who have pre-booked & paid (via registration) a bus back to Apollo Bay. Approx arrival time: 11:45am.

NOTE: Presentations
Recognising that it’s a looong window of finishing times, we will present the podium placers as they cross the line. For this first edition there will be no formal gathering / presentations. The organising crew will be having lunch in Apollo Bay on Sunday at 12:30pm … we will advise all where via GOTU and TdT FB, should you want to join us!

Contact information

Event contact
Tour de Trails
Phone
0430376621
Website
Visit website