50KM Support Crew & Spectators

The below information relates to the 2024 event as a reference only and will be updated with relevant 2025 information when entries open in March.

CHEER AND SUPPORT YOUR RUNNERS

SPECTATORS AND SUPPORT CREWS ARE MOST WELCOME TO JOIN THE ACTIVITY AND ENTHUSIASM OF THE SURF COAST CENTURY, AND THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS PROVIDED SO YOU KNOW HOW, WHEN AND WHERE YOU CAN GET INVOLVED.

The course for the 50km Surf Coast Century is very accessible for supporters and spectators – in fact the travelling entourage of supporters goign around the course creates a huge atmosphere that is fantastic on the day.

You can easily to see the competitors as they run and you’ll visit some very scenic sections of the Surf Coast along the way.

50km Designated support areas

50km competitors may receive external assistance from support crew and/or team mates at any checkpoint along the course at the following locations:

  • CP1 – 10km Point Addis car park (intermediate CP)
  • CP2 – 21km at Torquay Surf Life Saving Club (Rotary Rotunda)
  • CP3 – 31km Ironbark Basin picnic area (intermediate CP) NO ACCESS FOR 50KM SUPPORT CREWS HERE
  • CP4 – 49km at Anglesea Green

Any runners seen to be receiving any external support outside of these checkpoints will be given a 30 minute penalty – this includes collecting water bottles or other hydration or nutrition from spectators as well as items that have been ‘pre-placed’ on the course for collection during the race. This will be strongly enforced. Details on each CP are below.

Support crew map

Here is a map that shows the entire course and the recommended access points for support crews. We encourage you to DOWNLOAD and PRINT

Checkpoints and recommended viewing spots

Race Start – 0km and 4km at Anglesea Green/ main beach

Where: Anglesea Main Beach.
What: 50km race start at 06:30am
Are there toilets here?: Yes – 100m away
Driving directions: On the Great Ocean Road in Anglesea, beside the river at river mouth
Parking: There is a car park beside the parkland or in side streets next to the Great Ocean Road. We recommend that competitors park their cars in the side streets further away to leave some space free for other visitors and support crews
General notes: The Surf Coast Century starts with runners on the beach. They first run to the right (West) along the beach and then come back on the Surf Coast Walking track behind the Surf Life Saving Club, coming back past the ‘start’ area at the 4km point. So it is well worth hanging around here to watch them come past to see them a second time.

CP1 – 10km Point Addis car park

Where: Point Addis car park
What: Intermediary race kitchen, not a team change over point
Expected time of first 50km runner: 7:10am
Are there toilets here?: Yes, 200m down the road from the car park at the end
Parking: Car park at the end of Point Addis Rd, or park on the road verge before the road end. Limited parking.
General notes:

  • You will see competitors for about 1km running along the beach and then going through the hydration station and continuing. This is a spectacular spot with extensive views in all directions from the boardwalks and lookout
  • Be aware that runners go on the same road as you for 500m, so keep an eye out when arriving / departing.

CP2 – 21km at Torquay SURF BEACH

Where: Torquay Surf Beach, Rotary Rotunda (behind the Torquay SLSC)
What: Leg end, and Race Kitchen
Expected time of first 50km runner: 7:55am
Are there toilets here?: Yes
Parking: Car parking available on the grass beside Surf Beach Drive, Bell St and around Pt Danger. Two way access must be maintained on Surf Beach Drive.  
General notes:

  • Competitors come running along the beach below the Torquay Surf Club before turning left up the ramp next to it, and over the hill behind the club (and toilet block) to the grassy area with the Rotary Rotunda. This is a scenic spot with good views of the ocean as you stand on the hill adjacent to the Surf Club.
  • There will be a music DJ and coffee cart at the CP from approximately 8:00am – 11:00am, or there are cafés and other outlets on Bell St or Gilbert St nearby 

CP3 – 31km Ironbark Basin picnic area

NO ACCESS FOR 50KM SUPPORT CREWS AT CP3 (due to limited parking and space)

Race Finish – 50km at Anglesea Green

Where: Anglesea Green (Event Expo) THE FINISH LINE
What: Leg end, team change point and Race Kitchen
Expected time of first 50km runner: 10:00am
Are there toilets here?: Yes
Parking: Car park options include in the gravel car park in front of the Lawn Bowls club, in shopping area over the road or on Cameron Road near the caravan park
General notes:

  • This is the elusive finish line and the site of great accomplishments and satisfaction when runners cross the line
  • There will be a coffee cart and food vans here, or there are additional cafés across the road in the town centre

Additional locations

There are numerous additional locations that spectators can see runners outside of these listed CPs. Remember that you cannot provide outside assistance but you can provide plenty of words of support at other locations like:

  • Bells Beach, 15km point and 27km point (they come past here twice)
  • Jan Juc beach and car park, 19km and 22km points (they come past here twice)
  • Recommended coffee / ice-cream / chocolate stop! The Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie is located right beside the race course on the Great Ocean Road and makes for a perfect mid morning coffee stop on your way between Anglesea and Torquay (while your runners are on leg 1 and 2). Stop in for some food, drinks, chocolate or other supplies anytime between 9am and 5pm.