Compiled and fact-checked by Tommo, Verus founder · Last verified August 2026 · Spot an error?
Running · 5Ks
Rip to River 5K 2026
- Race day
- Monday, 28 December 2026
- Location
- Ocean Grove, Australia
- Distance
- 3.11 mi / 5.0 km
Rip to River 5K: 28 December 2026, from Point Lonsdale to Ocean Grove Main Beach, Surf Beach Road, Ocean Grove VIC 3226. Entry, route and a pace chart.
Rip to River 5K Race Timeline
109 days to go
More than 35 days out — a good window to build a consistent base before 5K-specific training ramps up.
Rip to River 5K 2026: quick answers
When is Rip to River 5K 2026?
Rip to River 5K 2026 takes place on Monday, 28 December 2026.
Where does Rip to River 5K start?
Rip to River 5K starts at Point Lonsdale to Ocean Grove Main Beach, Surf Beach Road, Ocean Grove VIC 3226. The organiser hasn't published a finish location.
How many miles is Rip to River 5K?
Rip to River 5K is 3.11 miles (5km).
Key Race Metrics & Overview
- Date
- Monday, 28 December 2026
- Distance
- 3.11 miles / 5.0km
- Location
- Ocean Grove, Australia
- Start Point
- Point Lonsdale to Ocean Grove Main Beach, Surf Beach Road, Ocean Grove VIC 3226
- Surface
- Beach
Not published by the organiser at the time of writing: finish point, start time, cut-off time, age requirement, tracking app. Verus records these as unconfirmed rather than estimating them — check the official race website closer to race day.
Direct Entry Summary
Not published for this event — check the official race website.
Ballot Policy
No ballot — entry is direct through Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club.
Rip to River 5K Race Day Weather
A real forecast appears here once one exists for race day — usually about a week to ten days out. Nothing is shown until then, because a made-up forecast is worse than none.
Rip to River 5K Route Map & Elevation Profile
Starting at Point Lonsdale to Ocean Grove Main Beach, Surf Beach Road, Ocean Grove VIC 3226. The organiser hasn't published a finish location. Total elevation gain is not published for this event, and Verus does not estimate one.
Is Rip to River 5K flat?
No official elevation figure is published for this course, so Verus doesn't state one. The organiser describes the going as: beach.
Rip to River 5K Course Profile
Elevation change not published for this event.
Tap a point on the course for details.
Point Lonsdale to Ocean Grove Main Beach, Surf Beach Road, Ocean Grove VIC 3226
Start line.
Where Rip to River 5K starts and finishes
Rip to River 5K starts at Point Lonsdale to Ocean Grove Main Beach, Surf Beach Road, Ocean Grove VIC 3226. We haven't been able to place those on a map accurately enough to show one — a pin in the wrong place is worse than no pin.
These are the start and finish points, not the route. Verus doesn't hold course files for this race, and drawing a line between two pins would be a guess you might end up training on.
Full Rip to River 5K Route Breakdown
The race starts at the historic Point Lonsdale lighthouse, then follows the hard‑sand shoreline along Surf Beach Road. Runners enjoy uninterrupted ocean views, the gentle roll of the surf, and a flat, fast surface that makes for an easy‑going but memorable run. The 10km route finishes at Ocean Grove Main Beach near the Barwon River mouth, while the shorter distances share the same start and finish lines. Expect warm summer sunshine, sea breezes, and a festive atmosphere with local volunteers cheering from the dunes.
Rip to River 5K Pace Calculator & Splits
Rip to River 5K Pace Calculator
Enter a target finish time to see your pace and projected splits.
Average pace / mile
1:17:10
Average pace / km
47:57
Rip to River 5K Pace Chart
Split markers calculated for standard checkpoints — no official pacers are confirmed for this event.
| Target | Pace /mi | Pace /km | 5K | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3:00 | 57:53 | 35:58 | 2:59:49 | 3:00:00 |
| 3:15 | 1:02:42 | 38:58 | 3:14:48 | 3:15:00 |
| 3:30 | 1:07:31 | 41:57 | 3:29:47 | 3:30:00 |
| 3:45 | 1:12:21 | 44:57 | 3:44:46 | 3:45:00 |
| 4:00 | 1:17:10 | 47:57 | 3:59:45 | 4:00:00 |
| 4:15 | 1:22:00 | 50:57 | 4:14:45 | 4:15:00 |
| 4:30 | 1:26:49 | 53:57 | 4:29:44 | 4:30:00 |
| 4:45 | 1:31:38 | 56:57 | 4:44:43 | 4:45:00 |
| 5:00 | 1:36:28 | 59:56 | 4:59:42 | 5:00:00 |
| 5:30 | 1:46:07 | 1:05:56 | 5:29:40 | 5:30:00 |
| 6:00 | 1:55:45 | 1:11:56 | 5:59:38 | 6:00:00 |
| 6:30 | 2:05:24 | 1:17:55 | 6:29:36 | 6:30:00 |
| 7:00 | 2:15:03 | 1:23:55 | 6:59:35 | 7:00:00 |
Rip to River 5K Finish Time Estimator
Enter a recent 5K, 10K or Half Marathon time to estimate your Rip to River 5K finish time.
Your 5K time
Estimated Rip to River 5K finish
25:02
An estimate only, based on Pete Riegel's race-time prediction formula. Real marathon performance depends on endurance, training specificity, pacing and race-day conditions — not just your speed over a shorter distance.
Training for a different distance? Try the full pace calculator, race time predictor or pace chart.
Got your target time? Save it to your profile.
Tag Rip to River 5K, set your goal pace, and let Verus track your countdown, training and fundraising in one place.
Start Your Verus JourneyRip to River 5K Race Day Checklist
Tap items to mark off your race-day readiness.
- Race number attached, and any timing chip fitted per your race pack instructions
- Weather-appropriate kit, plus something warm and disposable to discard before the start
- A plan for reaching Point Lonsdale to Ocean Grove Main Beach, Surf Beach Road, Ocean Grove VIC 3226
- A meeting point agreed with family and friends for after the race
Training Strategy for Rip to River 5K
4-8 weeks is enough for a 5K, whether it's your first or you're chasing a PB. Short, sharp interval and tempo sessions matter more here than overall mileage.
This is a largely flat course, so most of your long runs can mirror that — flat and steady, building time on feet rather than hill strength.
Ease off mileage in the final few days, keeping a short, sharp race-pace effort or two to stay sharp. Arrive at Point Lonsdale to Ocean Grove Main Beach, Surf Beach Road, Ocean Grove VIC 3226 fresh, energized, and primed — not fit, fresh.
Lock in your target pace using the interactive splits calculator below — no official pacers are confirmed for this event, so a pace band on your watch is the more reliable option.
Test your race-day fuel and hydration plan on your long training runs, not for the first time on race day — check the Race Day Checklist below for what's actually on this course.
5K Nutrition & Fueling Plan
A normal diet is fine. There is no need to carb-load for a race of this length.
Eat a carbohydrate-focused breakfast two to three hours before the start, and stick to something you've already tested in training rather than trying anything new.
No on-course fuel is needed at this distance for most runners — water stations are the usual provision.
A mix of carbohydrate and protein in the hour or so after finishing supports recovery.
Rip to River 5K Charity Places 2026
No formal charity-place scheme published — runners commonly fundraise for a charity of their own choosing.
Lead with your personal story — explain why the charity matters to you. Personal connection generates 3x more support than a generic link broadcast.
Share key training milestones on Instagram (first 10-miler, peak week, race week) with your fundraising link in bio. Publicly thanking donors prompts secondary gifts!
Running Rip to River 5K for charity?
Link your JustGiving page to Verus and show up right here alongside other Rip to River 5K fundraisers — goal, progress and story, all in one place.
Add Your Fundraiser to VerusTravel & Logistics
No road closures — the Rip to River 5K is run off-road (Beach), so local traffic is unaffected.
Rip to River 5K Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know for race weekend.
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Race details independently compiled and fact-checked by Tommo against the official Rip to River 5K site , last verified August 2026. Always confirm official timings and policies directly prior to race day.