80KM Support Crew & Spectators

EVENT PROGRAM: Here is the event program for the 2025 Margaret River Ultra and is essential reading for all attendees with final event schedule, course information and services available. READ IT ONLINE HERE.

Cheer and support your 80km solo and team runners

Spectators, support crews and team mates and able to clap and cheer on all runners at the various points along the course.

The race course is accessible to the public with numerous locations to see the runners – and in the process you’ll visit some very scenic sections of the Margaret River region along the way – perfect!

This was an incredible experience, organised brilliantly with amazing scenery around every corner. – 2021 Competitor

Checkpoints and recommended viewing

The checkpoints are the best locations to see the runners and are the only places where competitors may receive external assistance from support crew and/or team mates.

Designated checkpoints:

  • Start: Hamelin Bay boat ramp
  • Checkpoint 1: 11.5km at the Boranup Campsite.
  • Checkpoint 2: 26km at the Conto Campground
  • Checkpoint 3: 46km Riflebutts Reserve, Gnarabup
  • Checkpoint 4: 64km Gracetown Community Hall (NEW location for 2025)
  • Finish: 77.7km Howard Park Wines.

[Any runners seen to be receiving any external support outside of these checkpoints will be given a 30 minute penalty . This includes collecting water bottles or other hydration or nutrition from spectators as well as items that have been ‘pre-placed’ on the course for collection during the race.]

Detailed checkpoint information

Race Start – Hamelin Bay

Where: Hamelin Bay beach.    
What: Race start: 6:15am for solos, 8:00am for relay teams
Parking instructions: Teams are not permitted to arrive at Hamelin Bay until after 7:00am (once the solos have started). Park in the sealed car park near the boat ramp and on the road side – ensure 2 way access is maintained at all times.
General notes:

  • The 80km ultra starts on the sand, then runners go up the boat ramp, through the car park and out the main road for 1km before turning on to the trails.

CP1 – Boranup Campsite

Where: Boranup Campsite. 11.5km point.
Expected first solo runner / team runner: 7:10am / 8:45am
Access: This CP is restricted to one car per solo runner and one car per team as car parking VERY LIMITED. All cars must park on the left hand side of Boranup Drive and must ensure that 2 way access to other cars is maintained at all times. Park as directed and be willing to walk up to 2-3km to get to the CP itself. When exiting the CP: drive north along Boranup Dr (ie. do not do a U-Turn on Boranup Dr).

  • This CP is restricted to ONE car per solo runner and ONE car per team. But unless you really need to come to this CP we’d encourage you to keep clear as it is very small and tight for space
  • NO DOGS. National Parks declare this a no dogs area and will enforce it on the day.

CP2 – Conto Campsite

Where: Conto Campsite – ‘Hamelin’ camping area. 26km point.
Expected first solo runner / team runner: 8:20am / 10:00am
Access: This CP is restricted to one car per solo runner and one car per team as car parking VERY LIMITED. Cars will be directed to park in spare campsites, on road edges and other corners inside Conto Campsite. Parking is only permitted on Conto Road west (ocean side) of the Campsite entry. PLEASE PARK AS DIRECTED and ensure that two way access is maintain at all times. Be willing to walk up to 1-2km to get to the CP itself
General notes:

  • Once you have parked follow the signs to the ‘Hamelin’ camping area which is where the runners will enter / exit the CP.
  • NO DOGS. National Parks declare this a no dogs area and will enforce it on the day.

CP3 – Riflebutts Reserve

Where: Riflebuts Reserve, Prevelly. 46km point.
Expected first solo runner / team runner: 10:00am / 11:25am
Parking instructions: There are two event parking areas, 1) on the grass adjacent Mitchell Dr and 2) on the reserve itself, access via Vattos Way and follow the traffic marshals directions. Otherwise, park in the side streets, at Surfer’s Point and other areas. Parking is NOT PERMITTED along Mitchell Dr itself.
General notes:

  • We will have coffee and food vans on site, or visit the Sea Garden Cafe on Mitchell Drive to refuel or for lunch.

“I enjoyed the time I spent at CP 3 and CP4, and the finish. It is a lovely part of the world and a good excuse to visit some out of the way places (like Ellensbrook house). We were pumped spending time as a team, cheering each other on!” Kristie, Relay Team Competitor 

CP4 – Gracetown Community Hall (new location for 2025)

NOTE: we have changed the location of CP4 for 2025 to provide more parking for support crews and the option of moving the CP into the hall if the weather is bad. Map coming soon.

Where: Gracetown Community Hall. Salter St. Gracetown. 64km point
Expected first solo runner / team runner: 11:45am / 1:05pm
Access: It’s OK to park on the playing surface of the footy ground and on the surrounding reserve. Overflow parking is on the side streets, please just respect the locals and don’t park over their driveways or manicured verges! Checkpoint is at the hall itself.

  • The CP is located in/next to the hall. 
  • Nearby Gracies Store serves good coffee and food. 

Finish line – Howard Park Wines

Where: Howard Park Wines
Expected winning solo runner / team runner: 1:00pm / 2:00pm
Access:  All cars must enter Howard Park via Fifty-One Rd and exit to the north via Miamup Rd – creating a one way system through the property. Do not enter from Miamup Rd.
There is considerable parking on either side of the main drive way into the winery, as well as in the large grassy areas surrounding the winery buildings.
General notes:             

  • This is the elusive finish line and the site of great accomplishments and satisfaction when runners cross the line!!
  • Team mates are welcome to meet their Leg 5 runner at the road crossing and run the last 400m down through the vines together.
  • Competitors cross over Caves Road at Juniper Rd, so please be aware of runners.

Other recommended locations to see but not support runners:

FAN ZONE #1 – Redgate Beach car park, 38.5km pt.

Where: Redgate Beach car park, end of Redgate Beach Road.
Leg 3 is the toughest section of the course and runners really need a boost – so we strongly encourage support crews and team mates to head to the Fan Zone at Redgate Beach to give them a cheer. Bring your signs, your vuvuzelas and all your enthusiasm and give them a bit of love’n. NOTE: you cannot help them, touch or assist the runners – just encouragement only!

FAN ZONE #2 – Ellensbrook Homestead, 58km pt.

Where: Ellensbrook Homestead, at the end of Ellenbrook Road.
Leg 4 is where is solo runners are really starting to hurt – so why not give them a boost by cheering them on at the Fan Zone at historic Ellensbrook Homestead. Ring your cow bells, give them a high 5 or a few kind words to wish them on their way. NOTE: you cannot help them, touch or assist the runners – just encouragement only!

Support for solo runners

We encourage all solo 80km runners to have a support crew to assist you during your race BUT the race is designed and delivered so that you do not need a support crew and can do the race as a solo competitor unaided. This is made possible because the following support services are provided:

  • Bus from the finish to the start on race morning. You park your car at the finish and get our group transport to the start. This will be on a user pays basis.
  • Drop bags. We will transport a ‘drop bag’ of your pre-prepared clothing / nutrition from registration at Howard Park Wines to each of the checkpoints for you free of charge. Bags will be returned to the Event Centre when each checkpoint is closed.
  • Race nutrition at checkpoints. We will provide considerable food and hydration at the designated checkpoints that is free for all competitors to access. Further details here
  • Bag transfer from the start back to the finish with any items you do not need (such as a warm jumper…)
  • Trail ‘love’! Our race marshals and volunteers will give you plenty of love and attention when on the course if you need it – you will have all out encouragement and support! 

If you have any questions about the logistics for solo runners then please call us on (03) 5261 5511 or e-mail on [email protected]  

Recommended CAFES AND RESTAURANTS

We recommend the following cafes and restaurants whenever you are visiting the Margaret River region for the event:

Hamelin Bay (START LINE) – A mobile coffee cart will be set up in the Hamelin Bay caravan park immediately adjacent the car park. This coffee cart is CASH ONLY. There is no reception for EFT terminal. There is also a handy little general store in the caravan park for any last minute supplies!

The White Elephant Cafe – Located 1.5km south of CP3 this popular cafe provides 360 degree views of Gnarabup Bay and has a great menu and awesome coffee mixed with a chilled vibe.

The Sea Garden Cafe in Prevelly – located just 400m from CP3 on Mitchell Dr. They have a great elevated outlook and serve excellent coffee and light meals.

Gracies Cafe at Gracetown – Located just 400m away from CP4 at the 64km point this will provide the perfect pick me up as you wait for your runners to complete Leg 4. They serve great lunches + snacks + coffee with a friendly vibe.

The Cheeky Monkey Brewery – a great sponsor of the event and an ever better place to celebrate your stories from the trail on race weekend and at any other time when you’re down south with great food, coffee, beer, wine, cider and extensive grounds.