We are excited to announce a new Kite Festival will form part of the action packed festival of running taking place across Apollo Bay and Lorne, Saturday, 20 and Sunday, 21 May 2017.
Formerly the Great Ocean Road Marathon, the two day festival has grown to allow runners of all ages and fitness levels to participate in one of seven events ranging from the Great Ocean Road Walk all the way up to the 60km Ultra Marathon.
The Kite Festival is one of a range of new activities and offers available to participants at the recently re-named and branded Great Ocean Road Running Festival.
Event Director, Marcus Gale was pleased to announce another new event initiative.
“As an event we are constantly looking for ways to enhance the event experience for our participants and their friends and families as well as engage further with the local community.
“We are very excited to launch the Kite Festivals along with some great offers from local tourism operators to help increase visitation for the region and profile the Great Ocean Road Running Festival as an unmissable destination event,” Mr Gale said.
Giant, bright and colourful kites flying sky high on Saturday and Sunday are sure to be a hit with kids and adults who will also be able to learn how make and fly their own kites with help from the experts.
All children who register for the 1.5km Kids’ Gallop, Mizuno 6km Run and Geelong Advertiser 14km Paradise Run will receive a free kite to join in the fun in Apollo Bay over event weekend. In addition to this children who participate in the newly created Great Ocean Road Walk will also receive a free kite at the Lorne foreshore Kite Festival Hub.
The seaside town of Apollo Bay will host all of Saturday’s running events as well as being the location of the finish line for the Great Ocean Road Marathon, the Half Marathon and Ultra Marathon on Sunday.
In addition to the Kite Festival over both days in Apollo Bay, people wanting to explore more of the area over the weekend will receive significant discounts at Australia’s most important lighthouse, Cape Otway Lightstation and Otway Fly Tree Top Adventures, just by registering in one of the events.
By showing their race bib at the time of booking, participants will receive a 50 per cent discount on adult and family passes to Cape Otway Lightstation from Friday until Sunday, where they can discover the region’s history and natural beauty.
For those looking for a thrill, Otway Fly Tree Top Adventures is offering two-for-one value on its Tree Top Walk, allowing visitors to wander amongst towering eucalyptus trees 30 metres above the forest floor as well as 20 per cent off the Zip Line Eco Tour.
In another first for 2017, the event will also be offering the scenic Great Ocean Road Walk (5km, 10km or 15km loop circuit) on Sunday, 21 May where participants have the rare opportunity to walk the dramatic coastline from Lorne taking in the breathtaking views and nature with no traffic.
Further adding to the suite of activities on offer over the event weekend are official hubs for music, film and wellness as part of the new Lorne Passport that all participants will be entitled to.
Early Bird entry to the Great Ocean Road Running Festival is closing on Wednesday, 22 February 2017. People are encouraged to enter now to save as well as conquer one of the most stunning and unique marathons in the world.
