Set against the raw beauty of Victoria’s southern coastline, the Bellarine Peninsula Coastal Running Festival charges into Point Lonsdale with fresh sea breezes and rugged terrain. This event is more than just a race—it’s a chance to test your pace amid craggy cliffs and ocean whispers, where nature pushes back with every step you take.

The festival offers options from 7km to 21km, winding through mixed terrain that demands steady footing. Expect sandy tracks that challenge traction, rocky outcrops that demand concentration, and forested sections where tall eucalypts wave above like quiet sentinels. Elevation gain ranges modestly between 50 to 150 meters across courses, enough to stir your heart but not slow your rhythm to a crawl.

Starting points near Point Lonsdale Lighthouse give the event a prime waterfront backdrop. The sea is a living presence here—waves daring you onward, wind churning at your back or slapping like reminders on your face. Keep your eyes open: volcanic rock formations poke out below waves, and gulls wheel overhead, keeping company.

For planning, hydration is crucial. Water stations dot the route but carry your own supply especially for the longer runs. Footwear calls for trail shoes with reliable grip—the coastal path shifts between loose sand and jagged rock, so slippery soles won’t hold up. Timing-wise, early morning starts beat the heat and give you quiet moments before crowds assemble.

Physically, the festival is moderately demanding. It’s suitable for eager first-timers looking for a challenge that still embraces enjoyment and for seasoned coastal runners hungry for terrain variety. The festival’s well-marked paths and aid stations ensure safety but prepare for changing weather: coastal winds can pick up unexpectedly, making layers a smart choice.

Whether running competitively or soaking in the environment, sections along the cliffs provide sweeping views of Bass Strait, backed by distant silhouettes of the You Yangs. At certain bends, wild coastal banksias and tea trees lean into the breeze like old friends. Keep your camera close for moments where sunlight fractures the water’s surface into glittering shards.

In sum, the Bellarine Peninsula Coastal Running Festival is an invitation to engage directly with nature’s rugged coastline, a landscape fiercely itself, offering reward not just in finish-line satisfaction but in the vivid clarity of every step taken beside the sea.