We’re really excited to welcome you to our hometown and the extensive trail network around Anglesea on the spectacular Surf Coast. It’s a great place for a winter escape!
All courses include a beautiful mix of scenery, starting on the beach and then exploring the hinterland trail network where you’ll race along cliff top trails and weave through ironbark bushland, wave to friendly kangaroos and look with wonder at the stunning wildflowers lining the trails.
Why not make a weekend of it and truly escape to the coast for a couple of days. Soak up the coastal air, check into a local restaurant or explore the art galleries, lighthouses and surf culture for a weekend to remember.
The Anglesea trails are very different to the other races in the series and we look forward to sharing them with you. Have a great race!
Anglesea Riverbank Park, Great Ocean RoadAnglesea. (Also referred to as the Four Kings Carpark on Google Maps)
DRIVING DIRECTIONS:
Get onto the Geelong bypass and exit at the C134 (Anglesea Rd) to Anglesea. Keep going on the same road (now called the Great Ocean Road) and enter Anglesea Township. Go over the bridge and continue beside the river until you see the parkland and event set up on the left hand side.
DISTANCE FROM MELBOURNE: 115km (~1hr20min)
EVENT ACCESS AND PARKING:
Recommended parking is in the sealed car park right next to the finish line. When that gets full, a safer bet is in nearer the ‘Anglesea Green’ located next to the Lawn Bowls Club, opposite the main Anglesea shops, and the side streets off the Great Ocean Road - Parker St, Harvey St, Minifie St or Murray St. NOTE: it is illegal to park over any yellow lines and please retain access for residents and locals.
STAY AND ENJOY THE COAST!
We encourage you make a weekend of it and stay in Anglesea for a couple of nights as an invigorating mini-break! Enjoy the beaches, bushland, restaurants and friendly wildlife without the rush of coming down and back in a single day. Our accommodation partner Great Ocean Road Holidays has over 1,000 short term rental properties along the coast with something to suit all budgets. Give them a call on 5289 4233 or head to the website to find your perfect escape! www.greatoceanroadholidays.com.au
THE EVENT CENTRE
The following competitor services and facilities will be set up at the Event Centre, making a welcoming environment for everyone to enjoy whether you are running or spectating:
• The start and finish line for all races
• Race registration and information marquee (from 7:00am)
• Displays by a range of sponsors including:
• Skratch Hydration and Nutrition
• Foot Pro retailing shoes, packs and accessories
• Australian Sports Beer giving away a free can of their 0% alc beer for all runners + sales
• Blackmans Brewery bar with free tastings and beer for sale
• Premax skincare for active people - samples and sales
• Beyond physiotherapy providing free massages
• Pro Feet Podiatry consultations
• Event merchandise sales marquee
• First Aid point
• Bag storage area for runners’ clothing during the race
• Live music, MC and commentary at the race finish
Our terrific healthcare partners Beyond and ProFeet Podiatry will have a Myotherapist, a Physio and a Podiatrist on hand to help enhance your performance and avoid injuries. They’ll be providing some free massages and injury advice as well as tips on shoes, blisters, socks and more. Stop past and say hi.
FREE 0% BEER - THANKS TO AUSTRALIAN SPORTS BEER
Our long time partners Australian Sports Beer will be providing a free 0% alcohol beer for all runners. If you’ve not tried a 0% beer before or if you developed a taste for it at previous events then come and have a chat to Barry and grab a can for yourself or buy some for home if you like what they do.
FREE TASTER BEER / SELTZER THANKS TO BLACKMANS BREWERY
Blackmans Brewery and Coast Sletzer will have an onsite bar providing free tastings and sales of their award winning beers and seltzers. This nationally respected brewery is based in Torquay with additional bars in Ocean Grove and Geelong - and they are trail runners who share our love for the trails. Drop by for a chat / meal / beer anytime.
SKRATCH HYDRATION POINT - NO CUPS!!
There will be a hydration station located in the event expo / finish line area that will have water and Skratch hydration sports drink available – but you must BRING YOUR OWN CUPS OR BOTTLES…
PREMAX SKIN CARE
Our new event partners Premax will be sampling and selling their broad range of performance skin care for active people. All runners will receive a sample of their Anti Friction Balms but make sure you check out their warm up and recovery creams, massage and sun protection products - all made in Melbourne!
KIDS ACTIVITY ZONE
We’ll have a bunch of games set up for kids (of any age) to play with during the morning, including Giant Jenga, Corn Hole and Quoits. “Fun for the whole family!”
BITUMEN IS BORING BACKDROP
We will have our Bitumen is Boring backdrop with a range of fun placard signs for you to hold up and have fun with. Snap a selfie or grab a photo with some friends to create your own unique event photo.
SOCIAL CHILL ZONE + LIVE MUSIC
We’ll set up a social chill zone where you can relax and enjoy your post race vibes with chairs, umbrellas and live music and more. Grab a seat, buy a coffee/food/beer and enjoy life!
BAG STORAGE
We will store your bags and keep an eye over them whilst you’re running. Put all items in a closed bag, attach the tear-off bag tag from the bottom of your number plate and hand the bag to the storage area before your run. All care no responsibility.
PLENTY OF SPOT PRIZES
We’ll be handing out plenty of spot prizes during the race and at presentations so keep an ear out for your race number or prize competitions.
15% OFF LUNCH AT THE LAST ONE INN
Local cafe ‘The Last One Inn’ are offering runners a 15% discount - simply present your number plate! Enjoy their Sunday Asado BBQ, live music, relaxed vibes located just 500m from the expo at 113 Great Ocean Road, Anglesea. Lunch will be available until 4pm and then there’s a happy hour 4pm - 6pm. www.lastoneinn.com.au
FREE CAN FOR RUNNERS
COMPETITOR IDENTIFICATION
COMPETITOR NUMBER PLATE COLLECTION
Reminder: If you have a GOLD race plate and are doing all 3 races in The Series, please re-use your plate from race 1 for race 2 (and race 3).
If you entered:
• before 8:00am Monday 17 June your number plate has been posted to you - bring it on the day. You do not need to ‘report in’ or do anything else on race day, just warm up and go!
• If you do not receive your plate in the post before race day then come and see us in the registration marquee and we’ll give you another one.
• after 8:00am Monday 17 June you need to collect your number plate from the rac eregistration marquee on race morning. Please bring your entry confirmation e-mail.
If you received your number plate in the post feel free to come to the registration marquee to collect your free samples of Skratch Hydration Sports Drink and Premax Anti Friction Balm.
FORGOTTEN RACE PLATES - If you forget to bring your number plate there will be a $10 replacement charge. Please see Race Registration.
ON THE DAY ENTRIES - Entries will be accepted on the day at the event. Please enter via your phone and then show the entry confirmation e-mail at race registration.
GOLD RUNNER HATS (LIMITED TO THE FIRST 350 GOLD RUNNERS)
Hey gold runners - if you didn’t attend race 1 or forgot to collect your hat then swing past the registration marquee and collect your hat! We’ve got a limited number for sale if other’s like the look of them (they’re great!)
NUMBER PLATES
• All competitors must race with their number plate attached to the front of their t-shirt / top (and not on your shorts or leggings) so it is clearly visible from the front during the race.
THE RACE COURSES
Anglesea’s setting provides for a diverse course that really sets it apart from the other races in The Series due to the coastal, bush and undulating landscape. All races start on the crisp white sand of the Anglesea Main Beach before heading inland on a healthy mixture of single tracks and double tracks that sweep
PASSING ETIQUETTE
With a large number of runners sharing a narrow trail there are a few points of common etiquette when it comes to passing another runner. If you are a faster runner who wants to pass a slower runner on a narrow bit of track:
• Let the slower runner know you are there and want to pass. Say something like, “Can I go past when there’s a chance...” or even “Track please” then wait for a wider section of track – don’t barge through
• The slower runner can then say, “OK, go past on the right” or “just up here it’s a bit wider, go there”. But it’s good to acknowledge that you heard them and give direction for when they can go past.
• Only pass if you are legitimately faster. If you’re pushing at 120% to overtake then stay behind for now.
• Slower runners - you don’t have to totally stop when a faster runner comes through, make space but keep trotting along as well.
COURSE MARKING - IMPORTANT!!
The course will be clearly marked with the colours listed below. Note that you need to keep an eye out for and follow the course markings, there will not be marshals every 100m ready to direct you!
LONG COURSE:
• 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)
MEDIUM COURSE:
• green arrows (pegged into the ground and fixed to trees or bushes)
• green coloured plastic surveyor’s tape (tied to trees or bushes)
SHORT COURSE:
• blue arrows (pegged into the ground and fixed to trees or bushes)
• aqua blue coloured plastic surveyor’s tape (tied to trees or bushes)
FRIENDLY 4KM COURSE:
• 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)
The colours of these course markings match the colour of the race plate for runners in that particular course distance (except Series Entrants who have a GOLD race plate).
TRACK INTERSECTIONS: All track intersections will be clearly marked. Surveyor’s tape will be placed immediately following a track junction to confirm you are on the correct track. Unless otherwise marked or directed, competitors should follow the most major track at all intersections. If there is no arrow at a minor track junction then continue along the major track.
HEADPHONES
We strongly recommend that runners DO NOT WEAR HEADPHONES and listen to music during the race. This is primarily for your safety, so that other runners and marshals can communicate with you. The courses also pass through some beautiful eucalypt bush land filled with birds and other wildlife that is all part of the trail running experience and if you’re pounding away to music you can’t hear that either!
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
LONG COURSE - 28.7KM includes 560m elevation gain / loss
All runners start on the beach with a 3.5km loop to Pt Roadknight, coming back past the start before leaving the coast and continuing along the Surf Coast Walk. Continue along the cliff top track as it climbs to the top of a ridge, going past the 1st water pt at the 9km mark before descending back to the beach at Red Rocks beach and then the Pt Addis car park at the 12km.
After 500m runners turn right off the Pt Addis road pt (take care on this road section) with the next section providing some more cliff top running before a long climb through the beautiful ironbark basin where you cross the Pt Addis road again at the 16.4km pt.
From here on the course follows a weaving line through the bushland, on an almost endless network of single track and double track that’s lined with wildflowers and friendly local wildlife. This second half is flatter than the first half and includes a 2nd water pt at the 23.5km pt.
The closing few kilometres provide extensive views over the township and distant coastline as you descend steeply downhill past the football grounds, across the hinterland and emerge back on the beach at the river mouth. Then it’s a short stertch across the sand to the finish line on the grass. WELL DONE!
MEDIUM
COURSE - 16.5KM includes 310m elevation gain / loss
All runners start on the beach with a 3.5km loop to Pt Roadknight, coming back past the start before leaving the coast and continuing along the Surf Coast Walk. Continue along the cliff top track as it climbs to the top of a ridge, going past the 1st water pt at the 9km point.
Medium course runners now turn inland, following a mix of single track and double track that’s lined with plenty of wildflowers and friendly local wildlife. This middle section features a long steady climb past your 2nd water pt at the 11.3km pt before descending to Anglesea.
The closing few kilometres provide extensive views over the township and distant coastline as you descend steeply downhill past the football grounds, across the hinterland and emerge back on the beach at the river mouth. Then it’s a short stertch across the sand to the finish line on the grass. WELL DONE!
SHORT COURSE - 7.5KM includes 145m elevation gain / loss
All runners will start on the beach and complete a short 300m out and back on the sand to spread everyone out, after which you turn off the coast and continuing along the Surf Coast Walk.
Continue along this spectacular, cliff top section of the Surf Coast Walk for 3km at which point short course runners turn left and follow an undulating course through the coastal heath. This leads a tough climb at the 4km pt, the top of which provides some spectacular views over Point Roadknight and beyond.
The closing few kilometres provide extensive views over the township and distant coastline as you descend steeply downhill past the football grounds, across the hinterland and emerge back on the beach at the river mouth. Then it’s a short stertch across the sand to the finish line on the grass. WELL DONE!
‘FRIENDLY 4’ - 4.2KM, includes 80m elevation gain / loss. All runners start on the beach, running 400m along the sand and then turn right to go uphill on the steep boat ramp beside the Surf Life Saving Club that’ll really get your lungs working! Turn left at the top and continue uphill on the Surf Coast Walk as it climbs above and around the cliffs, pausing to catch your breath and enjoy the views from the lookout at the top.
After the lookout it’s a flowing downhill on a wide gravel track all the way to Pt Roadknight, where you hit the beach and turn left. Take care climbing over rock outcrop part way along the beach (called ‘Soapy Rocks’) as they are very slippery! Continue along the beach below the cliffs, back past the start and then turn left at the river mouth to finish on the grass. Well done!
SHOW US YOUR ‘SPRINT FINISH’
The ‘SPRINT FINISH’ will be a timed 100m segment leading into the finish line where we will record a separate time for each runner as part of your overall race. The course will commence just as you leave the sand and run across the grass to the finish - we encourage everyone to have a crack and the fastest male and female sprinters will receive a prize!
CATEGORIES & PRIZES
ENTRY CATEGORIES
The following categories will be recognised at each race, categories determined by your age on race day.
• Under 15 Male and Female – Short Course only
• Under 20 Male and Female
• 20-39yrs Male and Female
• 40-49yrs Male and Female
• 50-59yrs Male and Female
• 60-69yrs Male and Female
• 70+yrs Male and Female
RACE MEDALS AND PRIZES
Medals will be presented to 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each category in each race distance.
In 2024 we will be awarding the vast majority of our prizes as spot prizes anyone can win rather than giving them exclusively to race winners.
FRIENDLY 4KM (Anglesea Race): Male and Female open categories (no age groups)
GOLD RUNNER REQUIREMENTS
To receive an overall ranking in the 2024 Series runners must:
• Compete in all 3 races in the 2024 Series, entering either individually for each race, OR be entered as a ‘Gold Runner’
• Runners must compete in the same distance event at each race – eg. all long course events.
• If a runner changes category during the course of the series (i.e. because of a birthday) for the purposes of the series they will be ranked in the category they raced in Race 1).
• Points will be awarded according to your overall place in your category at each race, the runner with the lowest number of points wins
• If points are tied between two or more runners, then the runner with the best result in Race 3 will win.
BITUMEN IS BORING MERCHANDISE
Share the message that ‘Bitumen is Boring’ with our range of branded merchandise that says what we all know is true...!
GOLD RUNNERS remember to collect your free running cap at Anglesea (if you didn’t already collect it at Smiths Gully!)
BITUMEN IS BORING T-SHIRTS $35
TRAIL RUN SERIES
TRAIL RUN SERIES
Running T-shirt
Running T-shirt
Made of a high performance sports fabric by Indigo Wolf these are great for running and all sports. Unisex sizes.
TRAIL RUNNING SERIES
DRAW STRING BAG $10
A handy bag to put your running gear in at the bag drop area...
BITUMEN IS BORING SOCKS $25
These high performance technical running socks are custom made by Geelong based business Steigen. ‘Half’ length, one-sizefits-all with elasticated midfoot and cuff.
RUNNING WAIST
BELT $15
A comfortable, light weight waist belt that fits all sizes of mobile phone and your keys.
RUNNING VISOR $20
Adjustable size, sports fabric visor that’s great for running in.
COW BELL $10
Cheer everyone home with a cow bell with lanyard
HEAD TORCH $29
A small but very bright head torch to keep you on the trails through winter’s darkness. 300lumens, rechargeable, 3 light strengths + SOS strobe.
