Melrose Trail Running Camp 2019

Date: Sat, 29 June 2019

Social

About

This will be a free (accommodation, food and park entry at own expense) social running weekend based out of Melrose Caravan Park, with outstanding trail running in and around the Mount Remarkable national park – one of South Australia’s best kept trail running secrets.

RSVP Here

This camp and the trail runs are supported by In the Flinders who put on the Melrose Trail Festival (incorporating the Sea to Summit and King of the Mount runs) in August. It is an amazingly warm and friendly event and most of the Trail Running SA committee go up each year because we enjoy it so much.

Accommodation

We will be based in Melrose Caravan Park. Book your accommodation by contacting the park.

Alternatively, there is a range of accommodation around town, including:

Airbnb – search for 28th of June to 30th of June, 2019
Mt Remarkable Hotel
Melrose Holiday Units
Under the Mount
North Star Hotel

Itinerary

The trail runs are social, self-sufficient runs and the trails will not be marked (a gpsies file will be available for download to aid navigating during the trail runs). As it is a social run there is no timing, aid stations, first aid, etc. The trails are both beautiful and remote, without public vehicle access.

On Friday Night, 28th of June we will be meeting at the North Star Hotel in Melrose for dinner at 8PM. Otherwise, if you don’t catch us that night, you can meet us the following morning at the carpark out the front of the North Star Hotel. We will send out the pre-order form to your email on your RSVP in the week of the trail camp.
On Saturday, 29th of June there will be a choice of two social runs (both loops starting and finishing at the same place). For maps, scroll down to the bottom of this page:
- Mt Remarkable single mountain bike trail on private property (don’t worry we have permission) – 20 km, with carpooling to the start (best suited to vehicles with higher clearance i.e. SUV, AWV, utilities – do not bring your Mini Minor). Because this is an unsupported run it is recommended only for runners who are comfortable running ~20km independently on trails. Run Leader Al Clarke.
  - Meet at the carpark out the front of the North Star Hotel at 7:30AM, then drive (carpooling recommended as you will need to pick cars up later!) to the meeting point at the Hills Track.
  - Set off from the start point at 8:00AM. This will be a long day on remote trails – bring nutrition and enough water (there are no rainwater tanks along the way).
  - For those of you who would prefer a longer run, there is an option to run from Melrose to the start. The distance from Melrose to the start is approximately 6km. Please allow an hour + to get there (i.e. set off from Melrose at 7:00AM to meet the main group at 8:00AM. Run Leader Robyn Hansen.
- For those of you wanting something a little shorter (or more relaxed) – Mt. Remarkable Summit – 15 km, starting and finishing in Melrose. The course goes up the “old” eastern track and down the “new” Western track (both following the permanent trail markers). Starting at the carpark out the front of the North Star Hotel at 8:00AM. Expect to take 3-5 hours as this is still a good hill. You will need to bring sufficient bring nutrition and enough water (there are no rainwater tanks along the way). The view from the top is pretty amazing, however if 15kms is still too much, head up on the “old” eastern track for as long as you desire before turning back (aka an out and back). Run Leader Mandy Leimann.
On Saturday Night, 29th of June due to the possibility of rain we will be heading down to the Mt Remarkable Hotel for dinner. Feel free to head on over when you are hungry. the table will be booked for 6pm. Alternatively you can bring your own food, there are shared barbeques available for use in the caravan park.
On Sunday, 30th of June will be a shorter trail run (~12kms) around Spring Valley Conservation Park (via Sevenhill on the way back to Adelaide).
- Depart from your accommodation by no later than 7:30am to meet at the Spring Gully Conservation Park entrance by 9:30am.
- We will head to the Sevenhill Hotel for lunch after the run and before driving back to Adelaide.
- Shorter out and back options are available – run for as far as you would like and turn back.

What to bring

Common sense – this is an unsupported, group, social run. Identify your group, stick to the group you are in, look after the people you are running with, know where they are at all times and don’t leave them behind.
Own snacks/etc for the weekend.
The usual supplies for self-sufficiency when trail running – hydration options, snacks, first aid, mobile phone etc.
A spare mobile battery or a charged, tested external battery pack and cable. Having a fully charged mobile phone is essential if you unintentionally spend longer in the park than intended. Mobile coverage in the park is patchy and sporadic. In some places you can get coverage by walking to a higher point.
A printout of the Saturday short run map or Saturday long run map. A waterproof bag (e.g. sandwich/zip lock bag) for your maps.
Install the Guru Maps offline maps app on your phone before you come (iphone link android link). Load the maps into Guru Maps. If you are having trouble or need help approach one of the committee members on Friday night at dinner. Everyone is expected to have the maps loaded into their phones.
Recommended space blanket, compass, charged/tested headtorch and whistle if doing the 20ish km run.
$15 cash to pay for the BBQ – we won’t take EFTPOS!
Deckchairs and warm clothes for sitting around the campfire.