South Australia is home to untouched bushland, amazing national parks and a thriving trail running community. Whether you are looking for a family friendly fun-run or a world-class Ultra Marathon SA has you covered, check out the details below.

A Quick Note About Safety

Trail Running is a great a way to stay healthy and fit but heading out into the wilderness is not without its risks. Whether it is a sprained ankle, a snakebite or getting lost its important to prepare for the unexpected. Make sure you familiarise yourself with the area before setting out and pack the proper gear. The TrailSurvivor Ultra Kit is a light-weight all-in-one kit that is packed with everything you need to face the unexpected and stay safe out on the trail. 

Beginner Friendly Events

TOWER TRAIL RUN
Location: Mount Gambier, SA, Australia

 Source:  https://www.facebook.com/towertrailrun

Distances: 5km, 10.5km, 21km, 42km, 56km
Date: 2020 Event Cancelled Returning June 2021
Organiser: Tower Trail Run
Website: http://towertrailrun.com.au

Located in beautiful Mount Gambier this event offers something for trail runners of every skill level. Set up as a 10.5km loop, the course includes a half-marathon, marathon, ultra marathon and 5km & 10km fun-runs. Passing through beautiful blue gum trails and beneath the iconic Centenary Tower the course circles the crater of a dormant volcano. With beautiful views overlooking the city, Valley Lakes Precinct and Blue Lake this event is a perfect balance of natural beauty, fun and challenging terrain.

CONQUER THE SUMMIT
Location: Mount Barker, SA, Australia

Source:  https://www.conquerthesummit.org.au/

Distances: 10km, 20km
Date: 30th August 2020
Organiser: Lions Club of Mount Barker & Rotary Club of Mount Barker
Website: http://www.conquerthesummit.org.au

Trekking up to the scenic Mt. Barker Summit this fun-run passes through the esteemed Ngeringa Vineyards. The event includes a 10km walk, 10km run and 20km run which doubles back down the 10km summit track. With breathtaking views, a steady hill climb and a wonderful sense of community this is a fun-filled family-friendly event. Conquer the Summit also supports a great cause with all funds raised being donated to Operation Flinders.

GREAT SOUTHERN RUN FEST
Location: Aldinga Bay, SA, Australia

Source: https://www.facebook.com/pg/GreatSouthernHM

Distances: 5km, 10km, 21km
Date: 29th November 2020
Organiser: Southern Athletics Club
Website: http://greatsouthernruns.com

Located in picturesque Aldinga Bay this stunning trail run passes through sections of scrub, wetlands, beaches, and quite backroads. The event includes a popular half-marathon, 10km Race, 5km Race and Kids Beach Run. Showcasing the beauty of Fleurieu Peninsula and Mclaren Vale this quality event offers outstanding atmosphere and exceptional value. 

Intermediate & Advanced

FEDERATION ULTRA TRAIL
Location: Murray Bridge, SA, Australia

Source: https://www.facebook.com/pg/FederationUT

Distances: 25km, 50km, 75km, 100km
Date: 15th August 2020
Organiser: MMI Events
Website: https://www.mmievents.com.au/events/2020fut

This unique trail running event follows the southern section of the iconic Lavender/ Federation Trail. Offering 100km, 75km, 50km and 25km routes racers are treated to glimpses of roaming african animals (Meerkats, Giraffe, Bison, Chimpanzees and Rhinos) as the event passes through 10km of trails within the Monarto Safari Park. After exiting the Safari Park racers will encounter kangaroos and pelicans while passing through the stunning Kinchina Conservation Park and riverside wetlands. Designed for athletes with a sense of adventure this trail race allows participants to explore some of the best natural beauty South Australia has to offer.

Mandatory Gear Required! - Competitors must carry mandatory safety gear including a basic first aid kit, snake bite bandage and a space blanket. Make sure you're prepared with the TrailSurvivor Ultra Kit

YURREBILLA ULTRA MARATHON
Location: Adelaide, SA, Australia

Source:  https://www.facebook.com/Yurrebilla

Distances: 28km, 56km
Date: 27th September 2020
Organiser: South Australia Road Runners Club
Website: https://sarrc.org.au/event/yurrebilla-56k-ultra-2020/


Winding through National Parks and Conservation Reserves, Yurrebilla Trail boasts stunning views as it traverse the Western face of the Adelaide Hills. Offering a 56km Ultra Marathon and a 28km route the focus of this event is to create a supportive environment for hardcore racers and ultra-marathon beginners alike. Participants can expect to encounter amazing gorges, waterfalls, wildlife and wildflowers along this unique bush trail. 

HEYSEN 105
Location: Newland Hill, SA, Australia

Source: https://heysentrail.asn.au/heysen-trail/events/heysen-105-endurance-trail-run/

Distances: 37km, 60km, 105km
Date: 24th October 2020
Organiser: Ultra Series WA
Website: https://heysen105.com.au/

Traversing a 105km section of the famous Heysen Trail the Heysen Ultra Marathon represents some of the best trail racing South Australia has to offer.  With the recent addition of 60km and 37km routes this iconic endurance race is now open to a wider array of runners. Passing though rolling farmland, rocky hillsides and sandy forests this course offers magnificent views and both wide open running and single track trails.

Mandatory Gear Required! - Competitors must carry mandatory safety gear including a whistle, Compression Bandage and a space blanket. Make sure you're prepared with the TrailSurvivor Ultra Kit

Trail Running South Australia (TRSA) Events

Without doubt the biggest name in the South Australia Trail Running Community is TRSA. Trail Running SA (TRSA) was established in 2014 to bring together trail runners – at any age, at any level and at any ability – and create a trail running community. Trail Running SA is volunteer run not-for-profit organisation that puts on amazing and affordable events for runners of every skill level. All proceeds go straight back into the Trail Running Community.

Trail Running SA hosts weekly events and Sunday Social Runs which offer a friendly and supportive environment to enjoy running. You can become a member and found out about upcoming events here: http://trailrunningsa.com/activities-events/

Trail Running SA organises some of South Australia’s best running events and offer distances for beginners and advanced runners.

FIVE PEEKS SA TRAIL RUNNING FESTIVAL (Virtual Event for 2020)
Location: Belair, SA, Australia

Source: https://www.facebook.com/trailrunningsa

Distances: 8km, 12km, 23km, 58km
Date: Virtual Event to be completed by 24th October, 2020
Organiser: Trail Running South Australia
Website: http://trailrunningsa.com/five-peaks-2020-virtual-event/

Centered on the Yurrebilla Trail, this course traverses the iconic Mt. Lofty Ranges and passes through 8 enchanting parks. As with all TRSA events, the focus is on a supportive and relaxed atmosphere and runners can choose from four distances featuring a mix of wide open fire trails, technical single track, native bush and stunning views.

STRUT GORGE TRAIL RUN
Location: Flagstaff Hill, South Australia

Source: http://trailrunningsa.com/sturt-gorge-2019/

Distances: 6km, 17km, 25km
Date: 2020 Event Cancelled Returning June 2021
Organiser: Trail Running South Australia
Website: http://trailrunningsa.com/activities-events/

This event incorporates the beautiful Craigburn Farm and Sturt Gorge trails. TRSA has designed three awesome and varied courses, which takes runners on beautifully designed and constructed tracks, through typical Australian bushland with fantastic views of the park and its valleys.

KUITPO FOREST TRAIL RUN
Location: Alexandrina Council, South Australia

Source: http://trailrunningsa.com/kuitpo-forest-2018/

Distances: 10km, 16km, 24km
Date: 6th September, 2020
Organiser: Trail Running South Australia
Website: http://trailrunningsa.com/activities-events/

Located in the Kuitpo Forest this event takes participants through an amazing mix of scenic pine plantations and untouched native bush. With three distance options the course offers a mix of forestry roads and meandering single track trails. Runners can expect to encounter Kangaroos and Wallabies who also frequent this beautiful forest.   

MT CRAWFORD TRAIL CHALLENGE
Location: Mount Crawford, South Australia

Source: http://trailrunningsa.com/mt-crawford-challenge-2018/

Distances: 8km, 15km, 24km, 35km
Date: 2020 Event Cancelled Returning Sept 2021
Organiser: Trail Running South Australia
Event Website: http://trailrunningsa.com/activities-events/

This course takes participants on broad tracks through native woodland and pine plantations as well as sweeping single tracks.  The medium and long courses have expansive views from Mt. Pleasant summit, and the extra-long course also visits Mt. Crawford summit.

THE DEVIL’S NOSE
Location: Yattalunga, South Australia

Source: https://z-m-www.facebook.com/trailrunningsa/posts/

Distances: 10km, 16km, 25km
Date: 11th October 2020
Organiser: Trail Running South Australia
Event Website: http://trailrunningsa.com/the-devils-nose-2020/

Para Wirra Conservation Park north of Adelaide covers 1500 hectares of bush land and is the perfect spot for this great event. This race has it all with beautiful surroundings, a fast start from the new Gawler View picnic area, some sweet single tracks and some leg working climbs. All three distances will climb up the iconic Devil’s Nose track.

CLELAND TRAILS/ SA TRAIL RUNNING CHAMPIONSHIP
Location: Cleland Conservation Park, Adelaide, South Australia

Source:  https://www.facebook.com/trailrunningsa/

Distances: 6km, 12km, 25km
Date: 2020 Event Cancelled, Returning Nov 2021
Organiser: Trail Running South Australia
Event Website: http://trailrunningsa.com/activities-events/

Enjoy racing along  the wooded slopes of Mt Lofty, with views down rugged valleys and beyond as far as the sea. This is some of the finest scenery in the Mt Lofty Ranges, yet it is all easily accessible from Adelaide. The courses are predominantly on bush tracks or dirt paths, and almost completely out of sight of roads. 

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