Competitor Services

EVENT PROGRAM: The window below displays 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.

Download your own PDF COPY HERE

Competitor services

We understand that the challenge of running 80km or 42km or in a team is hard enough without having to juggle difficult logistics and event requirements on the day. The following services will be available to help make your run as enjoyable, and straight forward as possible.

Race venue / Event Centre

Location: Howard Park: 543 Miamup Rd, Cowaramup WA 6284

 The following services, facilities and activities will take place at Howard Park all weekend:

  • Race HQ including competitor registration, event notice board and more
  • Finish Line for both the 80km Ultra and 42km Marathon
  • Pop-up retail store by Tribe&Trails, Tarkine and other sponsors
  • The Cheeky Monkey celebration bar
  • A huge range of food options from a number of food vans in the expo area
  • Wine tastings and sales from the Howard Park Cellar Door
  • Bag storage area for runners’ clothing during the race
  • Medical assistance station

Running along trails that take all that the region has to offer is truly amazing. Such a motivational and inspiring event that makes me want to keep coming back. – 2021 Competitor


PRE-RACE ACTIVITIES AND BRIEFINGS

Race pack collection

(You can collect race packs on behalf of someone else. Only ONE team member per team is required at registration.

  • 80KM ULTRA: 3:00pm – 7:30pm Friday 9 May at Howard Park (late collection at Hamelin Bay by prior arrangement)
  • 42KM MARATHON: 12:00pm – 3:00pm Saturday 10 May at Howard Park (late collection at Yallingup by prior arrangement)

3-6km social run / walk

hosted by the Manning Park Trail Runners. 5:00pm Friday 9th May – at Howard Park NEW!!
Here’s a chance to unite with other competitors for a leg-loosening social run/walk before the races kick off (especially after sitting in the car for a few hours driving down south). Hosted by Sarah, Clint and Seth from Manning Park, it’ll be a great chance to turn the legs over, meet a few others and get excited about the weekend ahead. The team will lead you on an out-and-back run / walk along the course so you can easily choose your distance and speed whilst familiarising yourself with the last few K’s of the race. Free – meet at the finish arch at 5:00pm.

Elite athlete Q&A.

6:00pm Friday 9th May – at Howard Park.
Come and hear some of our top athletes talk through their training, race strategy, nutrition plans and other aspects of their race day. Held immediately prior to the Competitor Briefing.

Competitor briefings

Competitor briefings will be held for the 80km ultra and 42km marathon at Howard Park. The briefings will also be streamed live on Facebook @RapidAscentUltraRunningEvents.

RACE DAY

Bus transportation

Finish line to the Start line:

  • Bus transport is available for runners on race morning from the FINISH to the respective START LINES:
    • 80KM ULTRA – departing Howard Park at 5:00am on Saturday morning to Hamelin Bay
    • 42KM MARATHON – departing Howard Park at 6:30am on Sunday morning to Yallingup
  • $27 pp – must be prebooked during online entry OR via the merchandise page. Please note bus bookings close at 8:00am AEST 2 May

Race starts

  • 80KM ULTRA: 6:15am Saturday SOLO runners – on the beach at Hamelin Bay
  • 80KM ULTRA: 8:00am Saturday TEAM runners – on the beach at Hamelin Bay (pictured below left)
  • 42KM MARATHON: 7:30am Sunday – on the beach at Yallingup (pictured below right)

COMPETITOR SERVICES AT HOWARD PARK

Solo runner recovery area – NEW

A marquee will be set up adjacent the finish line as a dedicated recovery area for solos to rest in. We know that most solo 80km and 42km runners are utterly exhausted at the finish line, and the noise and jubilation at Howard Park can be quite overwhelming, so this marquee is designed as a quiet place for solos to recover in for 5-15mins (before hitting the bar!) Note – this area is reserved for solo runners only.

The Cheeky Monkey celebration bar – NEW

Cheeky Monkey will give everyone a free beer at the finish line to kick start your post race celebrations. They’ll also have a welcoming ‘celebration zone’ set up on the grass in front of their bar at Howard Park so you can share your war stories over a couple more beers and keep the good times rolling.

Refresh Physiotherapy and sports clinic

Will be onsite providing massage, taping and injury assessment / treatment on Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday. Spots are limited so book online through their website
www.refreshphysio.com.au or call 9700 9024.Taping is $25 and Massage / injury assessment $50 for 20 minute.

Body Braille Massages

Jack from Body Braille Wellness will be available to provide massages on a user pays basis on Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Massages will be charged 10mins for $15 and she’ll treat walk-ups and take pre-bookings for following days. She’ll also be selling a range of pre and post workout balms and lotions.

Change Rooms

A number of small marquees will be set up to provide a private space in which to get changed after racing at Howard Park. These are unisex, self managing spaces designed to make it easier to freshen up after the race.

Medical

A comprehensive medical team will be attending the event to assist with any first aid or medical accidents that occur to competitors or support crew during the event.

LIVE RESULTS

Live tracking and Leaderboard
Athletes will be tracked along the course using timing mats and predictive tracking that uses your average pace to provide an estimated position in real time (this was amazingly accurate last year). Live splits and a leader board in each category will uploaded live to the website. Live links will be posted to the event homepage www.MRultramarathon.com.au

Social Media event updates #MargaretRiverUltra
Event updates and extensive coverage will be posted as an Instagram story on @RapidAscent Instagram with additional summaries and photos posted to the Rapid Ascent Ultra Running Events Facebook page.
Please also share your own stories using: #MargaretRiverUltra


DROP BAG TRANSFERS

Finish line to Check points – for both 80KM ULTRA and 42KM MARATHON runners:

We will transport drop bags (that may have spare clothing, personal nutrition, supplies…) from The Event Centre to each of the check points (CP) and return. Note – we will not transfer bags between CPs (e.g. CP1 to CP3).

Bags will be transferred to the following locations and returned to the Event Centre:

80km Ultra – drop bag locations:

  • CP1 – 11.5km pt at Boranup Campsite
  • CP2 – 26km pt at Conto Campsite
  • CP3 – 46km pt at Riflebutts Reserve
  • CP4 – 64km pt at Gracetown

42km Marathon – drop bag locations:

  • WP1 – 6.4km pt at Yallingup – SELF DROP
  • WP2 – 13km pt at Wyadup Rd
  • WP3 – 24km pt at Moses Rocks car park
  • WP4 – 35km pt at Juniper Rd