The Surf Coast Walk forms the backbone of this race, tracking from Torquay toward Fairhaven through coastal terrain that keeps you looking up even when your legs are busy. Now in its 12th edition, the Brooks Surf Coast Trail Marathon is suited for runners who want dirt underfoot without a survival mission: wild enough to feel away from the road, but not so technical that every step is a negotiation.
The route includes Bells Beach, climbs onto the clifftops of Point Addis and Anglesea, and runs on good footing with only modest elevation changes. Road runners use this event for a first proper trail experience, while experienced trail runners will find enough twists, turns, and singletrack sections to stay engaged. The finish at Split Point Lighthouse near Aireys Inlet offers a coastal reward, and the team relay allows pairs to split the work roughly in half.