The 100km Surf Coast Century is the AURA Long Course Trail National Championships for 2024!

ABOUT THE 100KM

2024: The 100km Surf Coast Century is a journey that leads competitors through an incredibly diverse range of landscapes that will keep you captivated (and smiling) from start to finish … it really is the ‘feel good ultra’!

From towering sea cliffs to towering tree ferns, competitors will run past lighthouses, waterfalls, scenic lookouts, renowned surf beaches (Bells Beach!), remote wilderness and almost everything in between as part of this incredible race. Both the 100km and 50km courses provide a journey where no two footsteps are the same…

The 100km course is split into 4 different legs; the end of each leg being a ‘check point’ where teams can interchange runners, receive support from support crews and and prepare for the next leg. Each leg is quite different from the others, with its own range of landscapes and terrain.

50km runners please head over to your very own Course Map & Description page HERE >>

100KM COURSE SUMMARY

1. Great Ocean Road Realestate Leg 1 – Coastline Crusade. 0km – 21km
2. Scratch Leg 2 – Ironbark Basin. 21km – 48km
3. La Sportiva Leg 3 – Currawong Falls. 48km – 75km
4. CLIF Bar Leg 4 – Lookouts and Lighthouses. 75km – 99km

UTMB AND ITRA POINTS

• The 100km course attracts 4 UTMB and 4 ITRA points for a solo runner. Details HERE >.
• The 50km course attracts 2 UTMB and 2 ITRA points for a solo runner. Details HERE >.

COURSE MAPS

100KM COURSE MAP

PUT THE MAPS ON YOUR PHONE: Scan the relevant QR Code or CLICK HERE to download the terrific CAPRA mapping app and receive the 100km and 100km maps on your phone. (Follow the prompts to create an account and you’ll find the map in the app’s ‘Library’).

Alternatively you can view / download the courses via:

• Click here for a KML FILE download
• Click here for a 100km GPX FILE
• Click here to see the 100km course on Google Maps.

Words and photos don’t do justice to this magnificent race. The scenery is incredible, with access to areas that you would never usually have the opportunity to see. The support on the course from other runners, volunteers and those cheering from the sidelines really help to keep you moving towards the finish line. – Abbey

DETAILED COURSE DESCRIPTION

The 100km course completes all 4 legs detailed below.

Great Ocean Road Real Estate Leg 1 : 0km – 21km

Distance: 21km Elevation gain / loss: 105m
CAPRA maps link for leg 1 HERE
Terrain style: Along a mixture of wide gravel path (Surf Coast Walk), hard sandy beach and inter tidal zone with some technical terrain over reefs and rocks. It starts with a couple of short hills but flat from the 9km pt. You WILL get wet feet and there may be some pools you have to negotiate that can be up to waist deep.
Leg start point: Race Start (Anglesea Main Beach)
Leg finish point: CP2 at Torquay Surf Beach (Rotary Rotunda – behind the Torquay SLSC)
Cut off (all 100km runners must depart by): 9:30am Saturday at CP2. (Start time + 4h)

All 100km individual and team runners in the Surf Coast Century commence on the sweeping arc of the Anglesea Main Beach, at the mouth of the Anglesea River. The race commences up the hill beside the Anglesea Surf Life Saving Club and along the Surf Coast Walk to Point Roadknight and then back along the beach past the start line at the 4km mark.

Cross the Anglesea River and soon after you turn left up the boat ramp and follow the Surf Coast Walk and clifftop track over a few hills and hinterland terrain to Pt Addis Back Beach where you will rejoin the sand at ‘Red Rocks’ – a small rocky headland before joining the slightly steeper and softer Red Rocks Beach. The next headland is Point Addis where you go up a flight of stairs to the Intermediary Race Kitchen at CP1 at the 10km point at the end of Point Addis Rd. After CP1 follow the sealed Point Addis Rd approx. 500m and then turn right to descend down some stairs and onto Point Addis Beach.

Point Addis Beach is one of those perfect, crescent shaped beaches that’s lined by cliffs that you usually only see in postcards – but this time you run the length of it. Keep running along the coast and you are soon past Jarosite Beach and running down the famed Bells Beach at the 15km mark with some of the world’s best curling waves peeling off on your right. At the Northern end of Bells Beach all runners must climb the stairs and run 100m along the concrete path and then descend the Winkipop stairs back to the intertidal zone (this is to avoid getting wet around ‘The Button/The Point’) and then continue along the coast.

From Bells onward, the terrain gets a a lot more technical as the soft beach sand of Bells is replaced by sections of coastal rock and reef platforms spotted by rock pools. This can be a very technical and slow section as you scamper over sharp rocks and step over rock pools and wet stones for ~2km. Then take the “Steps/Boobs” stairs and leave the inter-tidal zone and join the Surfcoast Walk for the remainder of the leg to Torquay Back Beach and then run up the ramp just past the Torquay SLSC and the end of  Leg 1 at CP2 the Rotary Rotunda and the first ‘Race Kitchen’ at the 21km point.

The CP and interchange point will be on the grassy area behind the Torquay Surf Life Saving Club at the Rotary Rotunda (past the public toilet block).

NOTE: If you are training on the course and wanting to run leg one here are some guidelines for when to run around the tides:

• DO NOT go under the cliffs beyond Anglesea. This section of beach is now closed due to the danger oif cliff collapse and rockfall.
• To time your run so you have low tide for Torquay end of the run you should to set off from Anglesea no earlier than 2hrs before a low tide and no later than 1hr after low tide.
• It is best if the low tide is no higher than 0.40m on the Port Phillip Heads gauge.

Finally, always take caution when running below any Cliffs as they are still active and sometimes collapse in chunks. Always avoid them after wet weather and at high tide, minimise the time you are below them (do not stop!), do not get closer to the cliff base than 15m and use common sense and run with a friend.

Scratch Leg 2 : 21km – 48km

Distance: 28km Elevation gain / loss: 520m / 520m
CAPRA maps link for leg 2 HERE
Terrain style: A mixture of gravel footpaths and narrow single track through the bush. Whilst not exactly hilly, this section is best described as undulating.
Leg start point: CP2 at Torquay Surf Beach
Leg finish point: CP4 at Anglesea Green, Great Ocean Road
Cut off (all 100km runners must depart by: 2:15pm Saturday at CP4. (Start time + 8h45min)

Leg 2 basically follows a mixture of the Surf Coast Walk and other walking tracks and trails from Torquay back to Anglesea. Competitors will set off from CP2 behind the Torquay Surf Life Saving Club, across a short car park and then across Spring Creek via the board walk. Continue along the gravel path beside the Torquay Golf Course and then through the lower car park at Jan Juc Beach and keep going along this popular section of pathway (please be aware of other track users and dog walkers).

The gravel path continues along the cliff top providing extensive views in all directions, and continues all the way to the Bells Beach Car Park at the 27km point. Run straight through the car park and then descend the stairs at the southern end onto the beach and across the sand for 10m before continuing along the gravel path on the other side, running through the Southside car park and then onto Jarosite Rd for 200m before turning left into the Jarosite Trail. 500m after leaving the road all runners must stop and wash the soles of your shoes to help prevent the spread of Dieback.

Runners descend down to Jarosite Dam and then up the other side and then turn left to run around the Ironbark Basin and its magnificent views down to Point Addis until you reach the Hydration Station at CP3 at the 32km point in the Ironbark Basin Picnic Area on Point Addis Rd.

Continue along and then cross the sealed Point Addis Road, along the single track beside the main Anglesea Rd and then across the dirt Hurst Road and then you’re in the single track network of Eumeralla at the 33km point. There is a myriad of trails in this area and the course follows a twisting route through the bushland out to the coastal cliff tops and back again. The majority of the course is on single track with some short sections on 2WD and 4WD tracks to break things up. Due to the complexity of the course in this area all runners are encouraged to remain ESPECIALLY ALERT FOR COURSE MARKINGS to ensure you do not lose the trail and go the wrong way.

If it is especially hot on race day we will incorperate an unmanned water point at approximately the 40km point so runners can top up in the middle of this leg.

The course ultimately crosses the dirt road leading into the Eumeralla Scout Camp, past a good lookout over Anglesea and then descends past the football ground, around the back of the caravan park, and onto Anglesea Main Beach.

All runners leave the beach beside the river with 100km runners going right past the finish line to enter CP4 where another ‘Race Kitchen’ will be set up to provide plenty of food and drinks to give you the calories to keep going.

La Sportiva Leg 3:

100km runners: 48km – 75km   //   50km runners: 0km – 27km

Distance: 27km Elevation gain / loss: 760m / 720m
CAPRA maps link for leg 3 HERE
Terrain style: A mixture of 2WD, 4WD and single tracks through more remote sections of the coastal bushland (with extensive wildflowers all around). This is the hilliest leg of the race and the crux of the course.
Leg start point: CP4 at Anglesea Lions Park, Great Ocean Road
Leg finish point: CP6 at Moggs Creek Picnic Ground, Boyd Ave, Moggs Creek
Cut off (all 100km runners must depart by): 7:45pm Saturday at CP6 (Start time + 14h15min)

*Note sunset is 6:15pm. Head torches must be worn once dark.

100km runners: Leg 3 commences with runners heading along the path beside the Lions Park towards the bridge. Runners DO NOT cross the road surface but to clamber UNDERNEATH THE BRIDGE at water level to get under the road. It is relatively easy to go under the bridge but it will involve crawling on hands and knees in sections to get to the other side!

Once past the bridge the course continues along Bingley Pde for 500m and then turns left across a couple of foot bridges through Coogoorah Park and then along the single track and then a gravel 2WD road uphill. This is the one of first big climbs of the course as you tackle a lung busting climb up ‘Heartbreak Hill’ to the top of Mt. Ingoldsby at the 55km point. 

Turn right at the top and continue along ‘Gilbert Street’, a red clay 4WD track that provides seemingly endless views inland across the Anglesea Heath to the north. Descend down the clay 4WD track (very slippery if wet) to Hutt Gully and then tackle the next decent climb of the day out the other side for another rather epic hill. 

Conquer the hill and you veer right onto ‘Teds Ridge’ track at the 59/60km point where you will start to notice the profusion of wild flowers out in spring blossom all around you. The track descends to cross Distillery Creek Road after which runners turn onto what is arguably the best trail running loop in the Otways – a flowing single track that climbs gradually up the valley past Currawong Falls to a trig point on the ridge at the 67km point on Love’s Track and then descends down into Ironbark Gorge on the other side. Finish the single track and cross the dirt Bambra Road and you arrive at CP5 at the 70km point at the Distillery Creek Picnic Ground and the ‘intermediary race kitchen’ for some nourishment. Note, this is NOT a designated change over point for teams.

Continuing through the picnic area on single track and then turn left on the 2WD dirt road for 2km and then cross the Painkalac Reservoir wall after which the course turns skyward for the final ascent of the leg as you wind your way up a dirt 4WD track to cross Gentle Annie Rd at the 75km mark and then enjoy a long descent down a similar 4WD track to the end of Leg 3 at CP6 at Moggs Creek Picnic Ground, and full ‘Race Kitchen’ as a very welcome landmark.

The Leg 3 is undoubtedly the toughest leg of the course but includes some very scenic trail running through some simply beautiful sections of bush. The coast will seem miles away as you head inland but with the wildflowers in full bloom it should make for some lovely running.

CLIF Bar Leg 4 – 75km – 99km

100km runners: 75km – 98km  

Distance: 24km Elevation gain / loss: 426m / 466m
CAPRA maps link for leg 4 HERE
Terrain style: Another mixture of 2WD, 4WD tracks and single track that returns you to the beach for a stint along the sand to the finish. This has a hilly start but a flat finish.
Leg start point: CP6 at Moggs Creek Picnic Groud
Leg finish point: The finish line at Anglesea Green, Great Ocean Road
Cut off @ CP7 (Aireys Inlet Skate Park) – all 100km runners must depart by: 9:15pm at CP7 (Start time + 15h45min).

New Cut Off @ Finish Line – All runners must arrive at the finish line by 12:30am (Start time + 19hrs)

*Note sunset is 6:19pm. Head torches must be worn once dark.

After leaving the comforts of CP6 at Moggs Creek runners will follow yet more single track through tall timber forest to emerge at the best look out on the coast (in the Event Manager’s opinion anyway) on Ocean Views Ridge above Moggs Creek at the 79km point. This spectacular lookout sees you about 100m above the water with panoramic views to Lorne in the south west and the Aireys Inlet Lighthouse and beyond to the north east. This lookout is also a turning point of the course for it is here that you will (finally) turn towards Anglesea and start heading for the finish.

Run down the single track descending from the lookout and along Robyn Rd in the Moggs Creek village to cross the quaint footbridge over Moggs Creek at the 80km mark and then turn left then immediately right onto the wide, dirt Old Coach Road which is followed for 1.5km until you turn right to climb up a sandy double track onto another ridgeline offering extensive views. Follow the undulating 4WD track as it passes some large water tanks and then descends down a steep sealed driveway and then down to the double track beside the Painkalac Creek at Fairhaven. Turn right and follow the creek 500m towards the coast until the Great Ocean Road bridge where all runners once again go under the bridge and then curve up and around to the right to the footpath beside the road and across the bridge towards the Aireys Inlet township (this bridge is significantly higher than the bridge at Anglesea and will be far easier to go under!). Follow the gravel footpath – The Surf Coast Walking Track – for 400m beside the Great Ocean Road and you arrive at CP7 and the ‘intermediary race kitchen’ at the Aireys Inlet Skate Park and the 86km point. There is a new cut off time at CP7 and at the finish line – so keep running! Please see above for details

Keep following the gravel footpath out of CP7 and it soon winds up hill to the majestic Aireys Inlet Lighthouse – which for many solo runners passing this location at night will be a cool experience. After the lighthouse, runners follow the short sealed road and then the gravel single track along the cliff tops on what is one of the most beautiful sections of the Surf Coast Walk as this 2.7km section winds its way above secluded beaches and rocky pinnacles providing extensive views out to sea and beyond. Descend the stairs in the track at the 90km point down to Sunnymeade Beach and continue along the beach for just 150m and then turn left to climb up a set of stairs and follow the trail as it winds through the bushland, eventually descending with some stairs to the car park at Urqharts Beach.

Cross through the car park and then turn left to run along Urquhart Beach for the next 3.4km to the outskirts of Anglesea. Due to the spread of runners across this section, some runners will encounter this beach at high tide (which will have soft sand and be challenging) and some at low tide (which will have hard sand and be easy). Either way, all runners must remain on the beach until you get to the first set of large timber stairs and the course signage indicating where you must leave the beach. Go up the stairs and continue along Melba Parade and then rejoin the gravel Surf Coast Walk at Point Roadknight as it climbs up to a lookout and then descends to the Anglesea Surf Life Saving Club. Descend the roadway onto Anglesea Main Beach and then curve left up the river mouth and ACROSS THE FINISH LINE!!! in the parkland adjacent to the river.

Congratulations, you have just completed the Surf Coast Century 100km course and stepped into history as a finisher of this incredible race!

TRAINING ROUTES ON THE COURSE

We have mapped out some great training loop runs on the course that you can access at any time. These maps are included in the terrific Capra mapping app so you have live mapping and information whilst running. See the maps on Capra here or for more details and a summary of each run click here.

If you are more of a paper map type of person and like exploring the area a bit more independently then Click Here for a PDF map of Leg 1 and Leg 2 of the 100km course covering the 0km – 50km section of the 100km course or Click Here for a map of Leg 3 and Leg 4 of the 100km course covering the 50km – 100km section of the 100km course.

COURSE MARKING

The course will be fully marked so you can see where to go – BUT that trail running events are quite different to road running events and you need to actively look for markers and remain aware of where you are. If you have your head up and are looking where you are going, the course will be easy to follow and will be marked with:

• red and/or orange arrows (pegged into the ground and fixed to trees or bushes)
• fluoro pink coloured plastic surveyor’s tape (tied to trees or bushes)
• ‘wrong way’ is indicated by red and white barrier tape across a track / road at ground level. Do not cross red and white tape
• Sections of the course that are likely to be completed in darkness will also be marked with silver and / or red reflective tape tied to trees, as well as (infrequent) reflective arrows. Nonetheless, any course is harder to follow in darkness so we recommend you use a bright light to make things a bit easier!

COURSE CHANGES

Please note that Rapid Ascent reserves the right to change or alter the course from the description above (due to fire, rain, private landowners or other reasons) and that any changes will be clearly communicated to runners through any of the following means:

• SMS sent to competitors phone before the race
• during registration on Friday evening and notices posted on the race notice board
• at the competitor briefing on Friday night
• when runners are assembled at the start line or
• when competitors pass a checkpoint

Please see the Emergency Plans and Procedures section for more emergency plan information.