The last day of Bridget Milesi's vacation in Warrnambool was far from relaxing as it involved a 10-kilometre race.

The Hepburn Springs runner has been visiting the city for the past five summers.

"The whole time I never realised there was a fun run on until this year," she said.

Soon after she discovered the 29th Surf 'T' Surf would coincide with her stay, she made plans to compete in it.

"I was planning on just jogging it," she conceded.

"I had no idea I would even come close to winning."

The 16-year-old was the first female across the line, completing the event in about 40 minutes to earn herself the inaugural Judy McDowall Memorial Medal.

"I was setting out to do it in under an hour so I didn't do too bad," she said.

"I loved the course.

"The only thing wrong was I got some blisters in my foot because I chose the wrong footwear."

Milesi has been a member of Ballarat's Eureka Athletics Club for three years.

"I'm doing track at the moment but I prefer longer races," she said.

"My favourite is cross country."

The Surf 'T' Surf was the first major event she has competed in recently.

"I've mainly just been running on Saturdays with my club," she said.

Her victory marked the end of her week-long holiday in Warrnambool.

She stayed at the city's St Joseph's presbytery. The parish priest is a friend of her family.

The athlete didn't skip mass because of the Surf 'T' Surf, opting to go on Saturday night instead.