Whether you're a pro marathon runner or a casual jogger, running is a lot more fun — and a lot easier — when you're gazing out at beautiful views. To that end, the Great Ocean Road Running Festival takes place along one of Australia's most scenic routes. Happening for the 12th year in a row on Saturday, May 19 and Sunday May 20, the event offers a race for runners of every kind, as well as a host of other happenings, including live music, film screenings and yoga sessions.
At one end, there's the 60-kilometre ultra marathon. At the other, there's the five-kilometre Lorne Hotel run/walk. Whichever race you join, your registration gets you free entry to everything else going on across the weekend. Pop into Lorne Theatre to see Simon Baker's directorial debut Breath, the Lorne Hotel to catch some live music, or Lorne Sea Baths for yoga classes and pre-marathon warm-ups. There'll also be festival hubs at both Lorne and Apollo Bay.