Tasmanian Athletes Shine at Great Ocean Road Running Festival

Two inspiring Tasmanian athletes and former Australian of the Year recipients displayed remarkable performances at the prestigious Great Ocean Road Running Festival held over the weekend. Grace Tame, the 2021 Australian of the Year, took on the challenging 60km Ultra Marathon course from Lorne to Apollo Bay, finishing as the first woman in a time of 4:43:43.

In a parallel feat, 2023 Tasmanian Young Australian of the Year Meriem Daoui clinched the top spot in the women’s category, conquering the 44km Great Ocean Road Marathon in an impressive time of 3:04:24. Daoui’s victory underscored her commitment to the sport, having previously raised over $11,000 for childhood cancer research through running up Hobart’s kunanyi/Mt Wellington for seven consecutive days in 2021.

Brad King, the Festival Director, expressed his delight at the record turnout of over ten thousand participants from across Australia at the 2024 Great Ocean Road Running Festival. Notably, eight out of the nine events were completely sold out, showcasing the immense enthusiasm and camaraderie among the running community. The festival also managed to raise a substantial $180,000 for the Apollo Bay and District Health Foundation.

In his statement, King praised the unity of Australia’s running boom on the stunning Victorian coastline, emphasizing the remarkable spirit displayed by all participants and supporters. The event saw runners of all ages and abilities come together to celebrate the joy of running against the backdrop of the picturesque Great Ocean Road course.

The festival featured a range of races, including the London Marathon participant Johannes Motschmann claiming victory in the men’s Great Ocean Road Marathon, and iconic figures like James Riggs and Grace Tame showcasing their talents in the Ultra Marathon category. Additionally, the High Sierra 12km Trail Run saw David Bailey secure first place for the fourth consecutive year alongside Florencia Pirotti.