Surf Coast Century

The Surf Coast Century calls itself the feel-good ultra, and the numbers support its reputation as a sensible first 100km: about 1,800m of climbing over the full distance, seven checkpoints, and a field of roughly 1,500 runners in 2025. The 2027 race is on Saturday 18 September, based at Anglesea on the Great Ocean Road.

The course

The 100km is four legs that start and finish at Anglesea. Leg 1 (24.5km) heads east on the Surf Coast Walk past Point Addis and Bells Beach, then picks across reef platforms and rock pools to Torquay. Leg 2 (24.5km) comes back over the clifftops past Jan Juc and through the Eumeralla singletrack to Anglesea. Leg 3 (27km) is the crux: the hilliest section, with Heartbreak Hill and the Distillery Creek climb on the way past Currawong Falls to Moggs Creek. Leg 4 (24km) climbs to the Ocean Views lookout, passes the lighthouse at Aireys Inlet and finishes along Urquhart Beach to Anglesea Green.

The 50km runs legs 3 and 4, so it gets the hardest climbing and the beach finish. The 100km starts in three waves from 5am; the 50km goes at 8am.

Solo, relay and qualifiers

The 100km can be run solo or by relay teams of two, three or four, changing at the leg checkpoints. Solo finishes earn ITRA points (4 for the 100km, 2 for the 50km) and both solo races are registered as UTMB World Series qualifying races. A solo 100km under 17 hours has also been accepted as a Western States 100 qualifier. Solo 100km runners inside the benchmark times take home an engraved Bells or Addis beer stein.

Getting there

Anglesea is about 90 minutes' drive from Melbourne. There is no practical public transport for a 5am start, and coastal accommodation fills for race weekend, so book early. Rapid Ascent runs free guided training runs over the course in the lead-up.

The surfcoast truly lives up to its tagline “feel good ultra”. The course is perfect for anyone wanting to tackle their first ultra or put down a good time on a fun course. A combination of beaches, gravel and a few big climbs, this 100km loop whether done as a solo runner, as a 50km effort or in the 4 person team is one to add to the list.

Leon Green - Surf Coast Century Feel Good Ambassador