Powercor Lorne Pier to Pub and Mountain to Surf hit the Great Ocean Road on 9-10 January 2026.
Great Ocean Road sporting tradition Powercor Lorne Pier to Pub and Mountain to Surf returns on 9-10 January 2026.
Lorne’s massive coastal sporting weekend is back. Powercor Lorne Pier to Pub and Mountain to Surf return for their 46th year on 9-10 January, bringing over 7,000 participants and 20,000 visitors to one of Australia’s most loved summer traditions on the Surf Coast.
Powercor Lorne Pier to Pub and Mountain to Surf – Great Ocean Road
- What: Powercor Lorne Pier to Pub and Mountain to Surf
- When: Friday 9 January (Mountain to Surf, 8:30am) and Saturday 10 January 2026 (Pier to Pub, 11am)
- Where: Lorne, Great Ocean Road
- Tickets: $55-$90 (early bird closes 1 December) here
- Registration: Opens 3 November
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around Melbourne here.
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Held annually on the second weekend of January along the Great Ocean Road, Powercor Lorne Pier to Pub and Mountain to Surf celebrate decades of athletic challenge, community spirit and fundraising for Lorne Surf Life Saving Club’s ongoing beach safety efforts.
Race Director Peter Williamson reckons the events represent the strength and connection of Lorne and Surf Coast communities, bringing people of all ages and abilities together to celebrate the coast.
How long is the Lorne Pier to Pub?
Friday 9 January kicks off with the Powercor Mountain to Surf at 8:30am, an 8km run winding through forested trails and along the iconic Great Ocean Road.
Last year saw a 19-year-old record fall when Elwood runner Edward Marks clocked 21:48 to better former Olympian Steve Moneghetti’s 2006 time. Elite marathon runner Sarah Klein led the women’s field for the second year running, with over 2,100 participants taking part.
Saturday 10 January brings the main event: the 45th Powercor Lorne Pier to Pub at 11am. Last year welcomed over 4,900 swimmers for the 1.2km open-water course, cementing its reputation as Australia’s largest open-water swim.
Olympic gold medallist and recent World Record setter Lani Pallister powered to her sixth consecutive win in the women’s division with a time of 11:25, while fellow Olympian Nick Sloman claimed victory in the men’s race with 10:13 ahead of World 400m silver medallist Sam Short.
Lorne Local takes the win
While the Great Ocean Road podium featured elite talent from across the country, it was Lorne SLSC club member Harry Hay who stole the show, charging out of the shallows to finish third in the Superfish division just behind the two star Olympians.
Elite performances aside, these volunteer-led events are all about community, with participants of all levels hitting the water and trails together.
Proceeds from both events go directly to Lorne SLSC to assist with maintaining water safety along the Surf Coast. As volunteer-led events, the Powercor Pier to Pub and Mountain to Surf wouldn’t be possible without the contributions of the SLSC community and ongoing sponsor support.
Registrations open 3 November, with early bird pricing available until 1 December.
Getting there is straightforward: just over 90 minutes down the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne, or you can train it to Geelong and bus down if that’s your thing.
With elite athletes mixing with first-timers, coastal views for days and the whole Surf Coast community turning out, this one’s shaping up as the Great Ocean Road summer sporting weekend to hit.
For more information, head here.
