2025 Course Overview
A course that will literally take your breath away! The 11km, 25km and 50km Ultra Coastal Ascent courses start and finish in the Dixon Park precinct. This provides runners and supporters not only an epic finishing experience as you run down Merewether beach on the final push home, but access to all the amenities that will complete your race day experience.
The 11km, 25km and 50km courses will challenge all runners. The fastest possible route from Dixon Park, through Merewether and into the Coastal Rainforest of Glenrock Reserve will elevate your heart rate on the outward journey and reward you with epic views on the return journey. Within the National Park take on sections of technical single track, fast flowing fire trail, grasslands, beach sections with plenty of challenging hills and a course giving many stunning coastal views. The turnaround for the 25km and 50km races takes place at the top of Banksia Street Trail.
The 5km course starts on Scenic drive near Baileys cottage. Runners will catch a Coach from Dixon Park to the start and then run a point 2 point 5km race back to Dixon Park
The 1.6km Kids course will run within the immediate vicinity of Dixon Park Beach.
Stunning coastal views with plenty of elevation gain is the Coastal Ascent!
Course description
50km
The 50km course starts on the beach at Dixon Park and runners will head south before being directed around Merewether Beach , then leading to and running up the 100 Merewether stairs!
The 50km course is two loops of the 25km, so checkout the 25km course description.
When you return into the start finish line area for the first time – you will be directed past a checkpoint and into an Aid station where you can refill and reset before heading out on lap 2
50km Course profile and elevation
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Course description
25km
The 25km course starts on the beach at Dixon Park and runners will head south before being directed around Merewether beach. , then joining the pedestrian footpath before turning right and running up the 100 Merewether stairs!
At the top of the stairs turn sharp left staying on the footpath and running on the footpath up to Hickson street, before crossing the road and entering Glenrock reserve. Follow the markers running down the Hickson street walkway, onto Burwood beach and then after approximately 500metres exiting the beach via s small trail before running onto Baileys trail and then Gun Club Road
Turn left onto the the Easement Trail immediately at the intersection with Gun Club Road and head towards Yuelarbah Trail where you will turn right and make your way over a creek crossing after which you will turn left and then right, still on Yuelarbah Trail over another smaller creek crossing. Continue onto the Depot Trail reaching Scout Camp Road at the 7km mark.
Turn left onto Scout Camp Road and then a short distance later turn right onto Gardeners Link Fire Trail where you turn sharp right, running down a short technically challenging trail section before turning left at the bottom and running into Dudley Beach. Run up and back down Bombala street and then turn left and run up Banksia street trail to the checkpoint and Aid station12.k5km mark. Return to gun club road the way you came out and then turn left for a short fast section into the next Aid station
Turn right onto the bike path and run in a Northerly direction, returning back into Glenrock reserve and taking the Scenic Drive Trail then Baileys Trail back deep into the the Rainforest. Continue heading down Baileys Trail and densely wooded pockets of Rainforest reaching the treatment plant, running around its perimeter before turning right onto Burwood Beach again and returning the way you came.
25km Course profile and elevation
See individual Course Page
Course description
11km
The 11km course starts on the beach at Dixon Park and runners will head south before running around Merewether beach on the marked route, then pedestrian footpath before turning right and running up the 100 Merewether stairs!
At the top of the stairs turn sharp left staying on the footpath and run up to Hickson Street where you will cross the road and head into Glenrock, running down the Hang glider hill walkway onto Burwood Beach
Turn right onto the beach running approximately 300 metres before following the markers to the right and onto Baileys Trail. Continue heading West on Baileys Trail through the tall eucalypts before turning sharp left at the 4km mark and up the hardest climb of the course! Short but sharp head straight up the infamous Gun Club Road hill, you will climb 60 metres in 250 metres before continuing along Gun Club Road past the 5km mark.
Turn right onto the Easement Trail taking on a short decline before a challenging climb up and out onto the Bike Path at Scenic Drive and your Aid station at approximately 6km. Turn right and almost immediately you will then head back into Glenrock Reserve, following the same return route from this point as the 25km course.
Returning back into Glenrock reserve and taking the Scenic Drive Trail then Baileys Trail back deep into the the Rainforest. Continue heading down Baileys Trail and densely wooded pockets of Rainforest reaching the treatment plant, running around its perimeter before turning right and heading to Burwood Beach returning the same way you entered the National Park
Close to Dixon park you will be directed onto the beach before exiting via the ramp and finishing out the front of the Surf Club
11km Course profile and elevation
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Course description
5km
The 5km course is unique! This allows runners the chance to complete a challenging trail run which starts on near Baileys Cottage, just off scenic drive with flowing fire trails, challenging single track and everything you would want in a Trail run!
Runners will catch a Coach from Dixon Park OR make their own way to the race start
After running down Baileys Fire trail you will then reach the treatment plant, running around its perimeter before turning right and running back onto Burwood Beach, returning the way that you came. Close to Dixon park you will be directed onto the beach before exiting via the ramp and finishing out the front of the Surf Club
5km Course profile
See individual course page
Kids Race
BEACH BOLT MILE
The Beach Bolt Mile is a 1.6km course which starts on the beach at Dixon Park and heads South towards Merewether. Runners will turn right just before Merewether beach and return back to Dixon Park on Bathers Way, you will then do a short anticlockwise loop and then enter the finishing chute to the roar of the crowd. The first half is really challenging as you power through the sand, but those who have energy left will really be able to speed towards the finish on the way home!
Take it on!