For the 2015 version see:
This year was a bit less fun so will be a slightly shorter review.
Left on Saturday morning after a casual park run. Stopped in Geelong in time for lunch at the same pizza place as last time, the large seemed quite expensive but I thought it was just marked up restaurant prices, actually it was a huge pizza that I barely managed to finish.
Back driving down the Great Ocean Road again, past the big wood sign and the start of the full marathon event at Lorne. Afterwards the road just becomes never ending turns and starts to become a bit tedious. Arrived in Apollo Bay about 3:30pm just as the 14km Saturday short race was finishing. Had a quick tour around the town and the race village that was already set up for the next morning.
Went to the hotel, pretty basic accomodation just past the town, just somewhere to sleep. Jason had an idea to drive out to Cape Otway even though it was already about 4pm. The light station place was closed for the day, there was a track beside it but only had one obstructed view close by.
Drove back to the hotel, getting very dark already and I needed sleep for the next morning.
Up again too early at 5:30am to be ready for the race - since the buses leave at 6:15am. I taped up my ankle with some new sports tape, but it didn't help and I still had a lot of soreness and the ligaments didn't feel right. Left the hotel and drove in to the town for the bus stop. I decided not to risk the race, mainly because it would be difficult to get back to the finish if I had a problem walking, and it would also delay getting out of the town afterwards significantly too.
Instead I had a quick sleep in the car then went out for my own sad 12km run around the town while the other race was getting ready to start - the temperature was so much better than in 2015. I headed up the hill away from the ocean which was a great view after turning around, then headed along the coastal track which was a fun route, too bad I didn't discover it a bit sooner.
I was able to get changed and back to the finish before the first half marathon (23 kilometres) runners arrived, including Moneghetti and Mottram near the front. Sadly I missed out on a finisher's medal and free socks - didn't really care about the socks.
Back in the car to Geelong after the race, via the inland route since the race was still underway. Another stop in Geelong for lunch then finally back home after a long day of driving.
Back driving down the Great Ocean Road again, past the big wood sign and the start of the full marathon event at Lorne. Afterwards the road just becomes never ending turns and starts to become a bit tedious. Arrived in Apollo Bay about 3:30pm just as the 14km Saturday short race was finishing. Had a quick tour around the town and the race village that was already set up for the next morning.
Went to the hotel, pretty basic accomodation just past the town, just somewhere to sleep. Jason had an idea to drive out to Cape Otway even though it was already about 4pm. The light station place was closed for the day, there was a track beside it but only had one obstructed view close by.
Drove back to the hotel, getting very dark already and I needed sleep for the next morning.
Up again too early at 5:30am to be ready for the race - since the buses leave at 6:15am. I taped up my ankle with some new sports tape, but it didn't help and I still had a lot of soreness and the ligaments didn't feel right. Left the hotel and drove in to the town for the bus stop. I decided not to risk the race, mainly because it would be difficult to get back to the finish if I had a problem walking, and it would also delay getting out of the town afterwards significantly too.
Instead I had a quick sleep in the car then went out for my own sad 12km run around the town while the other race was getting ready to start - the temperature was so much better than in 2015. I headed up the hill away from the ocean which was a great view after turning around, then headed along the coastal track which was a fun route, too bad I didn't discover it a bit sooner.
I was able to get changed and back to the finish before the first half marathon (23 kilometres) runners arrived, including Moneghetti and Mottram near the front. Sadly I missed out on a finisher's medal and free socks - didn't really care about the socks.
Back in the car to Geelong after the race, via the inland route since the race was still underway. Another stop in Geelong for lunch then finally back home after a long day of driving.