It was my third time running the Great Ocean Road Marathon 44km and this time, I was looking for a big PB!

I had only been planning on running the 14km event but when the opportunity to run the Marathon opened up, I jumped at it. It turned out to be a shortened training block of about 8 weeks. I wasn’t worried. I was still in better shape than I had been for any of my previous Marathon events.

My PB for the Marathon was 3:47 which was not an accurate reflection of my current ability. I had recently run a 17:52 at a hilly Westerfolds Parkrun and had a previous best of 1:28 for the half marathon, I was due for a Personal Best (PB) for my next Marathon.

Last year at the Great Ocean Road Marathon 2021 edition, I had been quite sick a couple of weeks out. So even with a shortened training block this time, and a good bill of health, I was ready to go.

My family and the group of friends who were spending the weekend together, spent our Saturday cheering for those competing in the 6km and 14km events and enjoying Apollo Bay. I was a little nervous but excited about what was soon to follow.

I awoke early on Sunday morning. The race was due to start at 8:00 am with the buses leaving Apollo Bay at 5:45. I jumped on the bus with Lachlan and we were headed to the start.

We arrived in Lorne and excitement was in the air. 

It was a cool morning but not like it was in 2021. That was freezing! I was glad for the extra jacket I had packed this time though. I would send it back to the finish line with the rest of my gear using the bag drop service provided by the race.

There were several of us congregating near the beach area. My friend Lachlan Day, who was staying with us, was there as well as a few members of his running club (Evolve) and some more tag alongs like me. We went for a little warm up jog, and I was feeling starstruck. I did the warmup with Dion Finocchiaro (Eventual Winner), John Dutton (3rd Place) & Simone Brick (Women’s 4th Place). Not the sort of people I usually warm up with!

As the race start approached, I headed to the starting area. In previous years I had started a long way back. This time, as I was hoping for a much-improved result, I started toward the front. I was about 100 people back, hopefully I wouldn’t have to dodge too many people at the start. I needed to conserve my energy as much as possible.

Tip: Try to self-seed as much as possible at the start of any race. This should save energy by not having to dodge people (or not making others angry by not starting too far forward!). Check previous years race results and estimate your finish time on other recent results to see roughly where you should begin.

The gun went off and we raced along the road overlooking the sea. Apollo Bay here we come!

I always set multiple goals for any event I do. This is to ensure that even if my race doesn’t go to plan, I can still use the motivation of trying to hit a “B” Goal to keep going. My race goals for the Great Ocean Road Marathon were as follows; A – Under 3:10 for 42.2km, B – Under 3:20 for 42.2km, C – PB (3:47) and D – Finish. My A goal was ambitious, but I was confident that I would get close if I ran well.

I set off at 4:26 mins/km (7:08 mins/mi) pace which felt like I was pushing a little hard. With all the excitement of the race start, my heartrate was much higher than usual! It took 5-7 kms to settle into the 4:30 min/km (7:15 mins/mi) pace that I needed to do to reach the 3:10 goal. Through 7kms, I was moving well and hitting my pace. I was enjoying the beautiful scenery of the Great Ocean Road, as the weather was putting on a show. I wasn’t running with my GoPro this year as I was focused on doing everything I could to achieve a fast time.  

At the 7 km (4.35 mi) mark, Cumberland River, I reached the start of the first big hill. I had been expecting this. Before each race, I review the elevation profile, either provided by the race maps and/or from my/others Strava activities. I find the Strava maps are often better. There were 3 big hills on the undulating course. One at 7 kms (4.25 mi), at 22 kms (13.67 mi) and the last (and hardest) at 25 kms (15.5 mi). My goal on the hills was just to run within myself. Not to push it too hard. I knew I wouldn’t drop too much pace on the ascents and would then be able to “open up” and make up any time required running down the other side. This strategy worked well.

Throughout the race, I tried to keep my heart rate steady and as low as I could whilst still maintaining pace. This had worked well in my training runs and I knew I would get to the end quicker if I could maintain this technique. 

I was running in a hat (Ciele), sunglasses (Goodr), singlet (Nike Dri-FIT), shorts (Patagonia Strider Pro 5”) and my favourite (only) race shoes (Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 2). I had only recently purchased the Vaporfly’s, and after testing them a couple of times, I decided that they were the most amazing shoes I had ever worn! With my first pair of carbon plated shoes, I found that I was able to maintain my pace with less effort. Game on!

At km 16 (10 mi) I reached Wye River and approached the halfway mark. I was running at 4:27 mins/km (7:10 mins/mi) pace and doing everything right. I had taken on 2x Science in Sport Isotonic Gels and a few cups of water. Before the race, I had felt a little dehydrated. I made a conscious note to take on water early, and often. At every drink station (except the first at 2.5kms), I had a cup of water or sports drink. I was moving well. 

I went through the half marathon point at 1:33:48. Little did I know that this was my 2nd best recorded half marathon time! I might need to run a few more half marathons at pace to bring that time down a little more! The music was blasting as I moved through this section which pepped me up a little. I was halfway home and feeling confident. 

I continued to hold pace as I moved through both the big hills at 22 kms (13.67 mi) and the final major one at 25 kms (15.5 mi). At the top of the final hill, my average pace was 4:31 mins/km (7:16 mins/mi) which I was happy with. I ran down the other side and picked up a little more time. I could do it!

In previous marathons I had completed, I’d started to really struggle at the 32-35km (20-22mi) mark. On this occasion, I was holding my pace well. The wind had started to pick up which was a bit of a headwind I was not appreciating. I ran to 37kms (23mi) still under my goal pace and then the wheels started to fall off.

At 37kms (23mi), I was fatiguing fast. The next few kms were 10 sec, 20 sec & 30 sec slower than I had hoped to run which pushed up my average pace. I was struggling. I just needed to make it to the end. Where was the finish line?!

I stuck at it as I ran toward Apollo Bay. The finish line for the 42.2 kms (26.2 mi) was 2 kms outside of town so they give you the opportunity to run an additional 2.3 kms (1.4 mi) after the marathon is done. How generous!

I crossed the 42.2 km finish at a time of 3:11:18. I had missed my “A” goal, but I had run so well. This new PB was 36 mins quicker than my next best! How could I be disappointed with that!?

I was spent. I moved toward the finish line in town. I ran a little. I walked a little. I just wanted to finish. 

The crowd cheered and I picked up the pace as I ran through Apollo Bay. My wife, bub and friends were there for support and to celebrate at the end. I crossed the line in an overall time of 3:27:16 and in 48th place of 791 finishers, an excellent result.

My medal was draped around my neck by a small boy whom I thanked. I collected several cups of water, sports drinks and chatted with friends. We swapped race stories and watched other runners come into the finish having worked so hard.

As we walked back to our accommodation, thinking about the Kebab and chips I would shortly be consuming, I took in the beauty and celebration that the Great Ocean Road put on. We would be back again, not next year as there are other things in the works but one day. With all the fun and good times shared with friends and during the races, how could we not!?

Tips

Stay in Apollo Bay for the Saturday and Sunday nights. The roads are crazy trying to leave Apollo Bay on the Sunday afternoon when the roads reopen.

Take the buses to the start line. They are very convenient and walkable from almost anywhere in Apollo Bay. Utilise the bag return service as well if necessary. Very well organised.

It’s a hilly course – 3 big hills at kms 7 km, 22 km and 25 km. Each last for a km or so – perhaps longer. Just keep an even pace up the hills – don’t push it. You’ll be able to make up the difference going down the other side.

It’s longer than a Marathon. The 44.2 km (or 26.2 Mi) would have you finish 2 kms outside of Apollo Bay. They make you run an additional 2.3kms into town. Don’t worry though, there is a timing mat at the Marathon finish to make sure you get an official marathon time. Take a camera. If you’re not going for a race win, take a phone or camera with you to get those scenic snaps. You won’t regret it.

Check out my previous years tips and race reports HERE and HERE!

Duration 42.195 kms      3:11:12      Final Pace      4:32 min/km

Duration 44 kms      3:27:10      Final Pace      4:43 min/km

Overall 48th Place of 776 Competitors

Strava – Check it out HERE