Date: Sun, 16 April 2023
We are excited to announce the inclusion of new race distances for 2023; 42km, 16km and 10km, all utilizing the 58 km course. We will be offering distances of 58km, 42km, 26km, 16km and 10km. Each course will be point to point and finish at the usual location, Belair.
We’ve taken some of Adelaide’s most loved trails and linked them together to create an event like no other. In typical Trail Running SA style, we’ve taken the obvious option then mixed it up to create a range of options to suit everyone from those new to trails to seasoned trail running veterans.
Centered on the Yurrebilla trail, with some spectacular diversions including the iconic Mount Lofty, you’ll traverse the Mount Lofty Ranges and cross through no fewer than eight parks in the long course, and get a taste of all this in the medium and short courses as well. This well supported event includes something for everyone with four distances featuring a mix of wide open fire trails, technical single track, native bush, and stunning views.
You can expect all the usual features of a TRSA event: a friendly and relaxed atmosphere encouraging people of all abilities to get out on the trails, great support and organisation, and a central finishing location where all courses converge and can support each other.
So choose your challenge and come and join us for a fantastic day out on the trails.
If you’re interested in helping out on the day, or perhaps you have a family member or friend who might like to volunteer, click here.
Features
- Magnificent scenery taking in the Mount Lofty ranges and views across Adelaide.
- Trophies for 1st 3 male & female runners in each event.
- Medals for all runners in the ultra distances, 58kms.
- A souvenir to collect at each peak on the 58km, 42km and 26km courses.
- All courses pass through the Disco tunnel in Belair National Park.
- Plenty of aid stations. In keeping with TRSA’s no-cup policy, please bring your own hydration options to top up with water provided on course.
- Great atmosphere and the usual TRSA supplied nutrition at the finish line.
- Random draw prizes.
Cost
Early Bird Prices (until midnight Sunday 19 February 2023)
- 58 km ultramarathon – $75
- 42 km marathon – $65
- 26 km – $40
- 16 km – $25
- 10 km – $20
Standard Prices:
- 58 km ultramarathon – $80
- 42 km marathon – $70
- 26 km – $45
- 16 km – $30
- 10 km – $25
- Kids U/15 – $12.00 regardless which event they do (26 km to 10 km events)
Random Draw
Trail Running SA members will be eligible for the following random draw prizes. Joining Trail Running SA is easy and costs only $15. Click here for more info. The members’ random draw will be at 3:30 pm to encourage people to stick around and welcome everyone home and enjoy the finish line atmosphere.
- Trail Running SA Supporters:
- to be confirmed
Click here for more information on eligibility and rules for the random draw.
The Trail Running SA team & how to volunteer
Key volunteer roles for this event:
- Event Race Director: Pete
- Race Director : Alison
- Race Director : Michael
- Race Referee: Michael
We rely on a volunteer committee 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 the button below and complete the form. All assistance is welcome. Thanks!
Presentations
Medal presentations will be shortly after the arrival of the 3rd placed male & female runner in each event.
Start times
58 km runners will need to nominate a wave. You need to be in the 8:00 am group (outright racers) to be considered for a top 3 trophy.
- 58 km Five Peaks Ultramarathon:
- Wave 1: 6:00am – Finish times between 9 – 11 hours.
- Wave 2: 7:00 am – Finish times between 8 – 10 hours.
- Wave 3: 8:00 am – Finish times inside 8 hours.
- 42 km Run: 10:00 am
- 26 km Run: 12:30 pm
- 16 km Run 1:00 pm
- 10 km Run/Walk: 1:30 pm
Important notes for selecting a 58 km start wave:
- The aid stations and timing points will open at certain times, and if you are running too fast you will arrive before they are open. For safety reasons you will not be able to proceed until the aid station is open. This also causes massive logistical problems for the event volunteers and organisers. You have plenty of time to get to the finish (course closure is 5:30pm for the 58 km) so please choose your start wave with this in mind.
- If you have run the event before, please consider your finish time from previous years (you can find previous years’ results here) and choose the appropriate start wave for 2022. If you are likely to cover the first 18 km through to Norton Summit in less than 1hr 45min, you should be starting in the 8:00 am wave.
Anyone who wishes to change from 6:00 am wave start to the 7:00 am or 8:00 am wave start can do so for free by clicking here. Start times must be changed by 5pm Wed 5 April 2023 to ensure that your name is printed on your bib.
Newcomers
- Are you a newcomer to Trail Running SA? 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 email us if you have any more questions.
- Are you a newcomer to Five Peaks, Trail Running or Ultramarathon running, or want to help those that are? Join the Five Peaks newcomers group on facebook – A friendly place for newcomers to ultrarunning to ask questions, find training buddies, and share trail running stories.
Carpooling encouraged
We encourage carpooling for this event wherever possible in order to minimise congestion and parking issues.
Key dates
- Your age category is calculated according to your age as at 1st January 2023.
Training Runs
Once again we will be holding a series of social training runs for Five Peaks.
- Training 1: Foxfield to Norton – 8 Jan 2023.
- Training 2 : Norton to Cleland – 19 Feb 2023 (also early bird closure).
- Training 3: Cleland to Belair – 12 Mar 2023.
These are social runs and all are welcome. You can find all course GPX routes for downloading to to use on the day on the TRSA website prior to the run.
We rely on runners carpooling due to limited parking at all run start locations. Keep an eye out on the Trail Running SA Facebook page for updates prior to each run.
Five Peaks social evening and race briefing
Join us at the Belair Hotel on Thursday 13th April for dinner, guest speakers a full race briefing and more. Capacity limited. Bookings essential. Click here for more.
Cancellations and changes
If you need to cancel or amend your entry, please head over to our Registration Information page and fill out the relevant form. Please note that we do not offer transfers to other events.
Merchandise
TRSA has also teamed up with ioMerino again to produce a range of Five Peaks 2023 ioMerino merchandise in both short sleeve and long sleeve options. Head to the ioMerino website
TRSA merch
Trail Running SA has a range of general merchandise available via the online store such as hoodies. You can order online for pickup at the event. There will also be limited stock available at the event.
Click the button below to order.
Course Maps
58 km Ultramarathon
42 km run
26km run
16 km run
10 km run / walk
Course Closures
The 58 km, 42 km and 26 km courses will close at 5:30 pm, giving the following course closure paces:
- 58 km runners 6:00 a0 am starters: 10:52/km
- 58 km runners 8:00 am starters: 9:50/km
- 42 km runners: 10:42/km
- 26 km runners: 11:32/km
The 16 km and 10km courses will close at 4:30 pm, giving the following course closure paces
- 16 km runners: 13:08/km
- 10 km runners & walkers: 18:00/km
Our policy and methodology for determining course closure times is here.
Walkers
Welcome! We permit walkers into the shortest two distances 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.
International Trail Running Association (ITRA) points
The Five Peaks 58km ultramarathon will be evaluated and we will then update the following:
- ITRA points:
- Mountain points:
- ITRA’s website link :
- ITRA’s agreement number :
Transportation
Start Locations
There are 5 start locations:
- The start location of the 58 km Five Peaks Ultramarathon is at Foxfield Oval, Athelstone. Click here for directions in google maps.
- The start location for the 42 km will be just prior to Norton Summit, at the morialta cottage here.
- The car park of the 26 km race is at Long Ridge Track, Cleland Conservation Park. Click here for directions in google maps. The start location is here.
- The start location of the 16 km run will, be the Mt Barker Rd aid station here .
- The start location of the 10km run/walk will be McElligott’s quarry aid station here
Finish Location
The finish location is at Main Oval, Belair National Park. Click here for directions in google maps.
Getting to the start / parking at the finish
The 58 km, 42 km, 26 km, 16 km and 10km events are a point to point course which means you’ll need to pre-plan how you will get to the start. There are several options as follows:
- Purchase a ticket on the buses departing Belair National Park to take you to the respective start locations.
- Coordinate with another participant by leaving cars at either end.
- Post a request in the Trail Running SA Lounge or in the Event on Facebook (trail runners are a friendly bunch so no doubt someone will live nearby and be happy to give you a lift).
- Bribe your partner, family member, friend, neighbour to be your driver for the day.
- Taxi/Uber.
There is plenty of parking at both Foxfield Oval and Belair National Park. Please make sure that you adhere to the street signs around Foxfield Oval. Participants and supporters will be able to access car parking in Belair National Park for free – simply mention that you are participating or supporting Five Peaks at the main gate to get into the Park. Please do not park in the surrounding streets or business car parks otherwise we may upset residents/businesses and not be invited back next year.
Bus Transport
Bus transport is available from Belair National Park to the 58km, 42km and 26km, 16km and 10km starts. The buses depart from the old Belair Country Club Car Park as follows:
- 58km (6:00am start) bus departs at 4:45 am
- 58km (7:00am start) bus departs at 5:45 am
- 58km (8:00am start) bus departs at 6:45 am
- 42km bus departs at 8:45am
- 26km bus departs at 11:15am
- 16km bus departs at 12:00pm
- 10km bus departs at 12:30pm
The cost of the bus is $15 and a booking can be made at the time you enter or by amending your registration. The bus ticket is non-refundable. Bus bookings will remain open until registrations close. A list of entrants and bus bookings will be updated here closer to the event.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT CAR PARKING AT BELAIR NATIONAL PARK FOR FIVE PEAKS
Recommended gear
- Bring your own bottle, cup or hydration pack to top up at aid stations, there are NO CUPS at aid stations.
- Mobile phone. We recommend adding the TRSA safety phone number to your phone (0491 017 636). This number is also written on the back of your bib.
At the race
Drop bags
Drop bags for the 58 km, 42 km and 26 km events can be left at the start of the event (the location will be signed). Please make sure your drop bags are clearly labelled with the following:
- Full Name
- Destination (CP3 – Coach Road for 58 km participants only and finish line for 58 km, 42 km and 26 km participants)
As there is also a possibility that it may rain, we recommend that any items that need to remain dry be placed in zip lock or dry bags. Additionally, any food contained in the bags should be sealed to prevent insects (i.e. ants) from getting in during the time they are at the checkpoints.
All drop bags will be returned to the finish line once DS3 has closed. If any drop bags remain after the event is packed up they may be thrown away if they contain food that might go rotten. Please ensure that you pick up your drop bag at the end of the event or arrange a friend to do this for you.
Bib pickup procedure
Electronic timing 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. You don’t need to lookup your bib number before the event, but if you want to, see here. 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.
After you have entered online and checked that all information provided is correct, there are 3 steps that you need to follow on arrival:
- 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 as you will need it for the next step.
- Go to the “RACE NUMBER BIBS” baskets (all numbers are filed numerically). Find your race number and take it out.
- If any of your entry details are wrong e.g. 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. All turnoffs will be marked with arrows, and ribbons are never used for this purpose.
- 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.
On course drink stations and nutrition
We will have awesome vollies at each aid station, and will provide a specific list of items available closer to the event date, but with plenty of time to plan ahead.
The following food will be available at each aid station (58km/42km/26km/16km courses):
DS 1 (7:00am – 9:20am) – Chapman’s Track (9km) – TBC
DS 2 (8:15am – 11:00am) – Norton Summit (18km / 1.5km) – TBC
DS 3 (9:00am – 12:00pm) – Coach Rd (25.5km / 9km) – TBC
DS 4 (9:45am – 1:15pm) – Mount Lofty Summit (32km / 15km) – TBC
DS 5 (10:45am – 3:00pm) – Mount Barker Rd (42km / 25.2km / 9.5km) – TBC
DS 6 (11:15am – 4:45pm) – McElligot’s Quarry (49km / 32.2km / 16km / 6.9km) – TBC
Finish line – EVERYTHING + options to purchase coffee and food (we’ve booked Adelaide Woodfired Pizza!!)
If you’d like to read up on some nutrition advice, with a focus on Five Peaks, take a look at the presentation Erin gave at the TRSA 2021 AGM + Speaker Night. Erin is an accredited sports dietician, Accredited Practicing Dietitian & Nutritionist and running extraordinaire. This is not tailored to any one runner but instead offers some excellent practical tips about carb loading and planning how much and what you could eat in the lead up to, and on race day. You can download the talk here and the Five Peaks nutrition planner template created by Erin, here
The Fine Print
In order to enter a Trail Running SA event you must agree to the Trail Running SA conditions of Entry.