FRASER DOESN’T GIVE UP HER TITLE AT GREAT OCEAN ROAD 60K

Contributed by Natasha Fraser, AURA Member & 1st Female at the 2021 Great Ocean Road Ultra 60km

Great Ocean Road Running Festival, 16 May 2021, Lorne Vic

The Great Ocean Ultra is a race that has challenges in terms of steep climbs but constantly rewards in terms of the sheer beauty of the scenery.

After losing the back half of 2019 to the slow diagnosis of a cuboid fracture, 2020 being a year of restrictions and niggling bony issues, I had a lot of doubts in the lead up to this year’s event.

Running in the Global Solidarity run on 21 March had convinced me I could complete 60km but I really still questioned whether I could run competitively again. 

The weather Sunday morning of the Great Ocean Road started out much better than I had expected, and I remember regretting by choice to wear short sleeves about 4km in as the crowds cleared and everyone stated to hit their own pace.

There is no shelter from the elements on the marathon course and the headwinds really started to kick in from Kennett River until Skenes Creek. I remember chuckling at one point running downhill into a headwind thinking ‘where is my recovery?!’

Around 33km, the 60km runners take their first turnoff which involves a 5km climb before running back to re-join the marathoners. Keeping this in mind I tried to run as comfortably as possible and stopped to drink at each aid station.

Climbing up Sunnyside Road at the first turn off was pleasant as it gave me a good opportunity to get out of the wind, catching sight of the third placed runner just ahead lifted my spirits even more and I was eventually able to pass him towards the top.

Every year I run the 60km; I am always amazed at the number of runners that will shout out encouragement climbing the turn offs as they see you running down, the vibe amongst the ultra-runners here is just so supportive! 

Once I hit the marathon course again the second turn off at Hickey’s Cutting seemed to appear quickly.

The climb here is around the 48km mark of the run. It’s short (around 3km) but super steep and I kept myself accountable by setting a goal to keep my position in third place as I headed up.

It was at this point that I realised my focus on strength work for the last year had really kicked in as I managed to run the whole way up without walking for the very first time ever, I was over the moon with this!

Running back down the heights you have climbed certainly gives you an opportunity to re-group. Once again the awesome encouragement from fellow runners as we passed on the way down was a massive pump up for me and I was so very thankful for this comradeship.

Unlike other years once I hit the bottom it did not seem long before Apollo Bay started to appear, and I hit the finishing straight. The spectators cheering out encouragement gave me a much-needed boost to finish strong in both pace and spirit.

The Great Ocean Road Ultra is one of those rare road events that gives you the same sort of eye candy you get on trails.

If you have yet to run this one, put it on your bucket list!

Pictured: Natasha Fraser crossing the finish line at the 2021 Great Ocean Road Running Festival 60km Ultra event in mid-May. Photograph – Supplied/Great Ocean Road Running Festival.