GPT100 Stage Race

team Relay

Gariwerd/Grampians National Park

Start: MOUNt Zero, 6:00AM, November 6, 2025

Distance: 162km Over 4 Days

Elevation Gain: 7700m+-

Course: the entire Grampians Peaks Trail

Team size: Three Team Members

Team options: All Male, All Female, Mixed (at least one of each)

Event village & STAY: HALLS GAP

Teams of three people can take on the stage race, covering the full 100 mile end to end journey in a new dynamic race format. Each runner will run one of the three legs on each of the four days.

Each day of the stage race has two aid stations, which will be the relay changeover points for the runners. In this format teams can essentially run a third of the journey in bite-size pieces over four days.

It allows access to any runner to experience the trail while having adequate time to recover and enjoy the festival atmosphere with their team.

It also gives potential to a team of three runners to race hard over four days and cover the beauty of the Grampians at high octane.

If one runner cannot continue the following stages, we are flexible in allowing the other two runners to continue by either doing shorter stages or one person doing more legs each day.

Teams in the Stage Race Team Relay will be responsible for transporting their next runner to the changeover points at each intermediate aid station. This means teams will need access to a car to drive to the two aid stations on each day to drop off the next runner and pick up the runner that has just finished. The first runner each day can get the shuttle to the start and the last runner can get the shuttle back to Halls Gap after each stage.

It is highly encouraged that teams book accomodation in Halls Gap from Wednesday to Monday as this will be where the event village is and all the shuttles will leave from and return to the Event Village at Centenary Hall.

ThE Stages

Stage 1

Start / finish: Mt Zero to Halls Gap

Day: Thursday 6 November

Stats: 49.5km, 2000m+, 2040m-

Start time: 6:00AM Stage 1 & GPT50k

Cut off: 7:00PM

Time Limit: 13 hours GPT50k, Stage 1

Stage 2

Start / finish: Halls Gap to Mt William Carpark

Day: Friday 7 November

Stats: 37.5km, 2350m+, 1625m-

Start time: 6:00AM

Cut off: 6:00PM

Time Limit: 12 hours

Stage 3

Start / finish: Mt William Carpark to Griffin Fireline

Day: Saturday 8 November

Stats: 42km, 1795m+, 2540m-

Start time: 6:00AM

Cut off: 6:00PM

Time Limit: 12 hours

Stage 4:

Start / finish: Griffin Fireline to Dunkeld

Day: Sunday 9 November

Stats: 33km, 1555m+, 1585m-

Start time: 7:00AM

Cut off: 5:00PM

Time Limit: 10 hours

course description

There will be 2 aid station each day to assist the runners at road crossings, trails heads, and public campgrounds. These will be the changeover points for the teams of three.

Much of the journey goes through remote wilderness areas, where the rocky trail is a welcomed source of safety. There is a real sense of connection to nature and place. The race will be broken up into four sections each with major aid stations at each completion.

Stage 1 - Starting with the iconic climb up the rock slab from Mount Zero Picnic Area the trail reveals the entirety of the world famous Taipan Wall. After running under the rock wall the trail finds its groove as it toggles between a thin rocky uneven surface and a smooth dirt ribbon. There are numerous waterfalls through here, with continual 360 views of the entire Grampians grandeur, which is a common theme throughout the whole run.

Stage 2 - Halls Gap to Duwul/Mt William has continual long climbs. This section is draining with foot placement and ankle stability being the key. Conserve energy when possible. Take time at Borough Huts to compose yourself and fuel and hydrate. The next 15km to are the hardest along the entire GPT. There is much technical trail, especially up to, and across the Seven Dials and Redmans Bluff. However, the trail improves from here and the views from the top are spectacular as the trail adheres to a clifftop along to Mt William Finish.

Stage 3 - This stage to Griffin Fireline is a net downhill. It starts with a very challenging 19k which crosses the Major Mitchell Plateau up to the high point of the race, Durd Durd at 1167m asl. There is one very steep climb onto the Plateau with big steps - be mentally ready for this. A very long and initially steep descent brings you to Jimmy Creek Rd Aid Station. Many short punchy climbs and flowy downs follow. There is a lot of newly built trail, and it is much appreciated. It will be hard to find rhythm through these shorter continual hills, with some rock hopping, choppy climbs mixed in with fast terrain. There is a very slow boulder field just before Yarram Campground, be careful here.

Stage 4 - Passing over some of the well-known peaks in the southern section of the range, this stage is pound for pound the most scenic section of the trail. The stage starts with a long, gentle climb and descent through some amazing trail and landscape to Cassidys Gap Rd. From here there are three separate steep climbs and descents with many stairs to some striking summits including Signal Peak, Mud-Dadjug/Mt Abrupt, and Wurgarri/Mt Sturgeon. Despite being a brutal end, people will have a sense of the journey’s end, which may bring joy but also sadness that the adventure must come to an end. Runners take an enjoyable river trail to the town centre, where the party celebration awaits!

MAP

Details