Historic 45th Rip To River ready for strong turnout

AUSTRALIA’S longest-running fun run returns to the Bellarine tomorrow (Saturday, January 4) for a 45th year with registrations coming in quick and fast for the 2025 Rip To River.

The biggest fundraising event of the year for the Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) is expected to bring in more than 1,000 runners from near and far to take part in one of four races: 10km Classic run, 10km walk, 5km run and 1.4km Ripper Nipper.

Ocean Grove SLSC vice president of operations Bruce Honey emphasised the importance of the Rip To River, an event the club has prided itself on for more than four decades.

“This run is how pay for the equipment we use protecting the beaches,” Mr Honey said.

“It’s great to involve the community, interact with everyone from locals to people holidaying, we’ve had people come from overseas to compete.

“There’s a lot of great engagement with everyone and we work alongside Point Lonsdale SLSC to organise all the gear and the start line and the likes. It’s a really good day overall.”

The incumbent champions of the 10km Classic run are Seb Asher (male – 35:41) and Amy Fawcett (female – 38:38).

The previous Rip to River, held in December of 2023 welcomed 1,100 runners to the coast, a number not seen since before the COVID-19 pandemic affected the event.

Mr Honey said seeing those numbers was a sigh of relief, not only as the race director, but as also a member of the Ocean Grove SLSC.

“It was really great to see those numbers return at the last Rip To River; these events are crucial to life saving clubs and they allow us to do what we’re meant to and keep the community and any other beachgoers safe.

“The stretch of beach from The Rip in Point Lonsdale to the Barwon River is unmatched, the history alone is really special, you see black and white photos from 30, 40 years ago and it’s just awesome.

“There’s nowhere else you’d find a fun run like this.”

To put down a registration, head to oceangroveslsc.asn.au/events/rip-to-river