🗺️ COURSE INFORMATION
Barwon Heads Running Festival 2026

🏃‍♂️ Overall Course Overview

The Barwon Heads Running Festival course is set along the stunning Thirteenth Beach Road, with all distances following an out-and-back format.

This design provides:

  • A simple, easy-to-follow course
  • Clear turnaround points
  • Excellent spectator viewing opportunities
  • A safe and well-supported race environment


The course features wide road sections, coastal scenery, and flat stretches ideal for maintaining rhythm and chasing personal best times.

All events start and finish at the Barwon Heads event precinct, where you’ll find:

  • Start Line & Finish Line
  • Registration & Race Information
  • Toilets
  • Aid Stations
  • Post-race recovery area


The out-and-back layout means runners will pass fellow competitors along the way — creating a strong race atmosphere and plenty of encouragement on course.

📏 Distance Breakdown


🟢 1km Kids Race

The 1km course is a short out-and-back section close to the event precinct, providing:

  • A safe and supervised environment
  • Clear turnaround point
  • Maximum visibility for parents and spectators (Parents can run with children. No extra entry fee required
  • The route stays close to the Start/Finish area, making it ideal for younger runners and first-time participants.


🔵 5km

The 5km course heads out along Thirteenth Beach Road before reaching the clearly marked 5km turnaround point.

Runners then return along the same route back to the Finish Line.

  • This course offers:
  • Flat, fast sections
  • Coastal surroundings
  • A welcoming course for beginners and experienced runners alike
  • Aid station access is available near the event precinct.


🟡 10km

The 10km course extends further along Thirteenth Beach Road to the designated 10km turnaround point.

The out-and-back design allows runners to:

  • Settle into pace early
  • Use the return leg to negative split
  • Stay connected with other competitors
  • The 10km provides a perfect balance of challenge and speed, making it ideal for runners stepping up from 5km or sharpening race fitness.


🔴 21.1km Half Marathon

The Half Marathon follows the stunning coastal corridor along Thirteenth Beach Road, delivering a scenic and fast course through one of Victoria’s most beautiful seaside regions.

Runners will:

  • Start from Ewing Blyth Drive at the event precinct
  • Head out along Thirteenth Beach Road
  • Continue toward Black Rock Road, turning left
  • Reach the turnaround point at Black Rock Lookout
  • Turn left onto the bike trail
  • Continue along the trail to the designated turnaround point just before Breamlea Road
  • Then head directly back toward Barwon Heads via the bike trail, Thirteenth Beach Road, and Ewing Blyth Drive
  • Finish at the vibrant main event precinct


This course is designed to be:

  • Fast and PB-friendly
  • Well-supported with aid stations
  • Mentally straightforward, thanks to its structured out-and-back format


The return leg provides strong motivation as runners pass fellow competitors and build momentum heading back into the electric finish-line atmosphere.

💧 Aid Stations & Support

Aid stations are positioned in line with race distance requirements, ensuring runners are well-supported throughout the event.

  • Full details including:
  • Exact turnaround locations
  • Elevation profile
  • Road closures
  • Traffic management plan
  • Will be released closer to race day.

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