Date: Sun, 09 September 2018

The Mt. Crawford Challenge is the fourth race in the 2018 TRSA Series, although you don’t need to be a series competitor to enter – all are welcome.  For more information on the series, click here.

This year we’re offering 4 courses, with the extra-long course being worth more series points than any other race in the series.  The courses run on broad tracks through native woodlands and pine plantations. One section has splendid views over surrounding country, and another goes along a boardwalk through a swamp. The longer courses also take in the beautiful Watts Gully native forest reserve and Warren Conservation park. 

Features

• Magnificent scenery, beautifully designed and constructed trails, kangaroos, koalas, birds.
• Medals for 1st 3 male & female runners in each event.
• Points in the TRSA 2018 Series for all finishers.
• 5 water stations along the 31 km course, 3 along the 22 km course, 2 along the 13 km course, and 1 along the 7 km course.
• Random draw prizes.
• A free camping option, should you wish to stay the night before. For more information and to RSVP see the camping section below.

Cost

• Earlybird entry before midnight Sunday, 2th of August 2018
  • 31 km run: $29
  • 22 km run: $26
  • 13 km run: $21
  • 7 km run/walk: $17
• Before bibs are printed midnight Sunday, 2nd of September 2018
  • 31km run: $36
  • 22 km run: $33
  • 13 km run: $28
  • 7 km run/walk: $24
• Before entries close Midday (noon) Friday, 7th of September 2018
  • 31km run: $39
  • 22 km run: $36
  • 13 km run: $31
  • 7 km run/walk: $27
• Kids under 15 (must be participating with an adult) – 9km only: $12. For Trail Running SA’s policy for under 18’s click here.

Random Draw

Random Draw & Presentations

Presentations & random draw will be at 11:00AM. Trail Running SA members will be eligible for the following random draw prizes. Joining Trail Running SA is easy and costs only $10.

• More information on random draw prizes coming soon!

Click here for more information on eligibility and rules for the random draw. 

Start times

• 31 km run at 7.15 a.m.
• 22 km run at 8:15 a.m.
• 13 km run at 9:00 a.m.
• 7 km run/walk at 9:30 am

We have booked out the entire campsite for exclusive use so if you would like to camp the night before it is free for entrants, their friends and families.

Carpooling Required

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We require carpooling (minimum 2 per vehicle, ideally 3 or 4) for this event wherever possible in order to minimise congestion and parking issues around the venue start area. For most people, this means coming to the event with some friends or colleagues.  If you can’t find someone to carpool with, we suggest posting to the Trail Running SA Lounge on Facebook to link up with others.

Parking at the event

 

Trail Running SA Sponsors

Many thanks to our sponsors for their support and generous contributions to the random draw prize pool: Form Physiotherapy, Suunto, ioMerino, b3 massage & movement, Salomon, Groovy Gaitors and The Running Company.

Media

 

Key dates

• Your age category is calculated according to your age as at 1st January 2018.

Cancellations and changes

Please do not contact Trail Running SA requesting a cancellation or change until you have read the procedure for cancellations and changes here. There is a $10 fee plus any price difference for changes or cancellations.

The Trail Running SA team & how to volunteer

Key volunteer roles for this event:

• Race Director: Steve
• Assistant Race Director 1: Maurice
• Assistant Race Director 2: Linna
• Race Referee: Steve
• Safety coordinator: Pauline

We rely on a volunteer committee of 18 members and countless volunteers on the day to put on each event, so please put your hand up to help keep these events going. To volunteer for this event, please click here and complete the form. All assistance is welcome. Thanks!

Merchandise

Trail Running SA has a range of merchandise available via the online store. You can order online for pickup at the event. There will also be limited stock available at the event.

Course Map & Closures

Course Map

Course maps are at the bottom of this page. The courses will be marked.

Camping

Trail Running SA has booked the whole Chalks camp ground from 5 pm Friday till 3pm Sunday and there will be plenty of room. There is no charge to entrants, their families and friends. Cars can be parked next to tents and some people have asked if they can sleep in their vehicle – this is OK too. The race director will be there from Friday evening. To RSVP and let us know you are coming, fill out this form.

Presentations

Presentations will be at 11:00 am.

Course Closures

Our policy and methodology for determining course closure times is here.

All courses close at 12:10PM, giving the following cutoff paces:

• 35 km run: closes at 9:17 min/km.
• 24 km run: closes at 10:28 min/km.
• 13 km run / walk: closes at 14:41 min/km.

Walkers

Welcome! We permit walkers into the shortest distance only. This is to ensure that everyone is back safely and accounted for in time for presentations. Although we ask during registration whether you are walking or running, we don’t time the walking event separately to the running event. You can run if you like too.

If you are a slower runner doing the longer distances, check the cutoff paces above.

Start/Finish Location

The start and finish of the loop are at Chalks Rd camp ground, which is clearly signposted on the western side of Warren Rd (which is the Birdwood to Williamstown road), 10.5  kms from Birdwood Town Centre and 11 kms from Williamstown. Click here for google maps directions.

Getting there

• The easy way:
  • Click this link; or
  • Paste the following into google maps on your smartphone:
    • -34.739221, 138.961425
• Written Directions:
  • Probably the easiest route for most people is via North-East Rd past Tea Tree Plaza, and then through Inglewood and Gumeracha along the Torrens Valley Scenic Rd. At the eastern end of Gumeracha, turn left (northwards, signposted to Forreston) into Randell Terrace which becomes  Forreston Rd. Go for 11 kms from this turnoff, turn left at junction with Warren Rd, and a few hundred metres further on, you reach the signpost to Chalks Rd camping ground on the left. .Allow 40 minutes for this route from Tea Tree Plaza.
  • Or you could go along Gorge Rd, and after about 18 kms from Athelstone shopping centre, take the turning to the left signposted Williamstown. After another 2 kms turn right into the Torrens Valley Scenic Rd to Gumeracha; then proceed as above, through Gumeracha.
  • If you get there via the South Eastern Freeway, take the turnoff signposted Woodside to the left, and continue for 31 kms until you come to the turnoff to the left signposted Birdwood Town Centre. Take this, and go through Birdwood. The turnoff to the the right to Williamstown is one km after the centre, and the Chalks Rd camping ground is signposted 10.5 kms further on the left, about one km north of the junction of Warren Rd with Forreston Rd and one km south of the junction with Cricks Mill Rd (signposted Mt Pleasant). Allow one hour for the whole journey from the start of the Freeway (at the junction with Cross Rd and Portrush Rd) to Chalks Rd camp ground.

Toilets on the way

To avoid long queues at the portaloos when you get there, please use a public toilet on the way. There are public toilets in Birdwood, Gumeracha, Mt Pleasant and Williamstown.

 

Mandatory gear

• Bring your own bottle belt or hydration pack – there are no cups of water at the drink stations.
• Mobile phone.

At the race

Bag drop

There will be a bag drop tent. It will be unsecured and not supervised – bags are left at own risk. Don’t leave valuables at the bag drop tent.

Bib pickup procedure

Bibs will not be mailed out and will be available for pickup at the event. Please allow sufficient time to pick up your bib with chip attached. We recommend arriving 30 minutes to 1 hour prior to the event start time in order to allow plenty of time to pick up your bib. You may need to park a few minutes walk from the start so please allow sufficient time to walk there.

TRSA is using state of the art electronic timing at its events for safety as well as to provide speedy and accurate results. After you have entered online and checked that all information provided is correct, there are 3 steps that you need to follow on arrival:

1. On event day go straight to the “ENTRY DETAILS” display boards. All entrants will be listed and sorted by surname. Find your name. Check that your entry details are still correct, especially the race and category you have entered. Remember your race number and start time.
2. Go to the “RACE NUMBER BIBS” baskets (all numbers are filed numerically). Find your race number and take it out.
3. If any of your entry details are wrong eg your name, category or gender, or you are changing races, proceed to the “REGISTRATION MANAGER” area.

Chip timing procedure

Entrants must make sure the data that timers have is correct, so must follow these basic procedures:

• A timing tag linked to you and your race number will be stuck to the back of your race number bib.
• Attach the bib at waist height to the outside front of whatever top you will be wearing at all timing points. Do not bend or fold the tag or tamper with it.
• Your time and number are recorded when you pass through a timing point provided your race number bib is visible. Covering it with clothing or your hands as you operate a watch will prevent it recording.
• If there are several starts for different races, make sure you start at the correct time.
• Run or walk over the start/finish timing mat at your start time. This lets officials know you are on the course.
• When you cross the finish timing point, walk & stay in order in the finish chute until you are past the backup cameras.
• Race number bibs are disposable & do not need to be returned.
• If you cut the course short (for example by skipping a lap, or taking a shortcut), do not cross over the mat as we may inadvertently think you have won the race. If you do not complete your course you must return your bib to the timing van near the end of the finish chute.
• If you lose your race number bib during the race you must go to the timing van near the end of the finish chute as soon as you cross the finish timing mat.
• Officials will phone and search for anyone who has a start time but no finish time, so it is vital you do not use someone else’s number and you go over the timing mat so your start and finish are recorded.

Be careful

Beware of slippery patches on the tracks. Bare, packed, earth covered by green moss may be very slippery. Carry your phone on you when running as it could be critical if you get lost or injured.

Course Marking

The signs to look out for:

• Red arrows at turnoffs.
• Red-and-white ribbons to confirm that you’re on the right track.
• Wrong way signs where needed.
• Course divergence signs where needed.

The red-and-white striped ribbons will be placed at frequent intervals (200-400m) to confirm that you are on the right track. Wherever you need to turn off, there will be an arrow sign. If you stop seeing any signs, turn back. Do not carry on and get yourself even more lost. All runners are expected to carry a mobile phone.

Drink station and refreshments

Bring your own bottle belts or hydration packs (camelbaks), because there will be no cups of water at the drink stations. For those who forget to bring water containers, soft bottles (at $3.50 each) and small plastic bottles of spring water (at 50c each) will be available for sale at the bib pick-up table. If you have no money on you, take a small bottle and pay later. Whatever happens, ensure that you have a water container with you.
There will be water, fruit, crisps and Maurice’s delicious brownies. John from The Coffee Run will be there to with his usual coffee van. Please bring cash as EFT-POS facilities won’t be available on the day.

New to Trail Running SA

Welcome! Our frequently asked questions page has a bunch more information about what to expect and how we operate so please take a look there, and reach out if you have any more questions.

Photos, Videos and Results from last year

• Results
• Photos and Videos

 

The Fine Print

In order to enter a Trail Running SA event you must agree to the Trail Running SA conditions of Entry.

Routes

Date: Sun, 08 July 2018

For those wanting to get familiar with the Kuitpo courses before the big event, or those who just can’t wait until November to check out the courses!  You have a choice of running the 10km, 16km or 25km courses for this social run.  For those opting for 16km or 25km, this will give you a chance to run through the beautiful single tracks in Kyeema Conservation Park.  Don’t worry there’s plenty of fun for those doing the 10km too.

Directions (the easy way): Click here

Don’t just type “Kuitpo Forest” into google maps or your gps app as it may take you to a completely different part of the park!

The meeting point is at the junction of Christmas Hill Rd and Brookman Rd, opposite Kuitpo Hall (a renovated stone building) and Tynan Rd.  If you’re coming from the Adelaide-Meadows Rd it’s 8 kms from the junction with Brookman Rd (signposted Willunga). If you’re coming from the Adelaide-Mt Compass Rd, it’s 13 kms from the junction of Brookman Rd with that (signposted Meadows). Meet at 7:45 for an 8:00AM start.

Stop off in one of the towns beforehand to use the toilets as there are no toilets in Kuitpo (only trees and a rather smelly long drop at the neighbouring campground).

Coffee/brunch afterwards at the Meadows Pik a Pie Bakery.

Galileo recommended: There will be no course marking and you’ll need to download the Galileo mapping app for your phone and the course you will be following.

• Download galileo for iPhone
• Download galileo for android

If you are having trouble, arrive approximately 20 minutes early and Murray will show you how to set it up. If you know how to load a GPX file into the app please do that before coming. The download links are above each of the maps below.

If you would prefer not to use galileo, a printed map is also available by clicking the print map (PDF) button next to the map below.

 

Routes

Date: Sun, 10 June 2018

Start at 8.00 a.m. from Almanda Ruins parking space, which is on Dorset Vale Rd, c.300m north of junction with Matthews Rd.

Links to downloadable maps are on this page. In addition, David Close will bring print-outs of directions.

The route is very picturesque and hilly.

For afterwards, a table will be booked in The Artisan cafe, on north side of Blackwood Roundabout, where Coromandel Pde, Shepherds Hill Rd, and Main Rd meet.

Routes