Five Peaks Running Festival & Short Trail National Championship 2025

Come and experience some of the best trails in the Adelaide Hills at the Five Peaks Running Festival and AUTRA Short Trail National Championship event.

Sunday 13 April, 2025

Race description

The Five Peaks Trail Running Festival is a multi-distance event on diverse trails across the Adelaide Hills on the traditional lands of the Kaurna people.

Join us for either the Five Peaks ultra marathon, the AUTRA Short Trail National Championship or one of the shorter Festival distances. You’ll travel through spectacular native bushland, open fire trails, and technical single track, and be rewarded with spectacular views.

The full course starts in Athelstone in the shadow of Black Hill Conservation Park where you’ll climb your first peak, before winding through the Morialta Conservation Park where you might spy a rock climber if you look up. You’ll pass historic ruins and townships, and enjoy magnificent views of Adelaide and the coastline before you head through the disco tunnel and finish in Belair National Park.

Following the well-known Yurrebilla Trail, we’ve thrown in a few diversions including the iconic Mount Lofty Summit. Whilst it may be called Five Peaks, there are definitely more than five hills!

The event caters to runners of varying abilities with 58 km, 26 km, 17 km and 10 km routes. Runners entering the Short Trail National Championship will start the 58 km route in the 8.00 am wave.

Expect a great day out on the trails, a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, a well-supported event and a fantastic finishing hub at the end of the course.

Race features

  • Breathtaking views
  • A mixture of single-track, fire trail, road and sealed surfaces
  • Knowledgeable and experienced volunteer crews
  • Disco tunnel in Belair National Park
  • Drink stations and nutrition
  • Finisher medals for 58 km runners
  • Medals or trophies for winners or placegetters in all distances
  • World-famous brownies
  • Member-only random draw
  • AUTRA championship event (58 km only)
  • UTMB® Index and ITRA points event

Watch the 2023 Five Peaks video – it’s 6.5mins long so make sure you keep watching to the end!

The Five Peaks 58 km and 26 km events are UTMB® Index races and ITRA National Challenge events.

The 58km distance will attract 3 ITRA points and the 26km distance 1 point.

Find out more.

Quick links

Locations: 

58 km start line: Foxfield Oval, Athelstone

26 km start line: Cleland Conservation Park, Long Ridge Track

17 km start line: Mt Barker Road (walk down drive into paddock)

10 km start line: McElligott’s Quarry aid station

Finish line: Main Oval, Belair National Park

Distances and maps

Ultra – 58 km – View Course
Long – 26 km- View Course
Medium – 17 km- View Course
Short – 10 km- View Course

Early bird

All distances
Until 11.59pm on Friday 31 Jan 2025
  • TRSA & AUTRA MEMBERS
  • 10 km - $35
  • 17 km - $50
  • 26 km - $65
  • 58 km - $100
  • NON-MEMBERS
  • 10 km - $50
  • 17 km - $65
  • 26 km - $80
  • 58 km - $115
2025 member

Standard

All distances
Until 5.00pm on Thursday 10 April
  • TRSA & AUTRA MEMBERS
  • 10 km - $45
  • 17 km - $60
  • 26 km - $75
  • 58 km - $110
  • NON-MEMBERS
  • 10 km - $60
  • 17 km - $75
  • 26 km - $90
  • 58 km - $125

Kids entry fees

Kids U15 are charged at 50% of standard entry fees.

Name on bib

Want your name on your bib? You must enter by 5.00 pm Thursday 27 March.

Your entry fees cover:

  • Winners’ trophies (National Championship) or medals for other distances
  • Finishers medal (58 km distance only)
  • Electronic timing
  • First aid attendants on course and at finish area
  • A variety of food and hydration at drink stations and finish area
  • Free photography and videography
  • Free parking in Belair National Park
  • All fees and costs associated with the event

Insurance

It is highly recommended that you have adequate insurance in place should you suffer a medical episode or emergency. Personal insurance is not covered by your entry fees. Read our insurance information.

Eligibility

If you are nominating for the 58km Short Trail National Championship event, you must be an Australian resident.

There are no eligibility requirements for any other distances or 6.00am/7.00 am 58 km wave starts.

Entry fees and closing dates

You must enter by the final closing time on Thursday 10 April 2025 at 5pm

We do not accept late entries for our events.

Start times

58km ultra-marathon

  • Wave 1: 6.00 am (finish times 9 – 11 hours)
  • Wave 2: 7.00 am (finish times 8 – 10 hours)
  • Wave 3 & National Championship: 8.00 am (finish times under 8 hours)


26km run:
 Noon

17km run: 12.45 pm

10km run/walk: 1.30 pm

Selecting the correct wave

58 km runners will need to nominate a wave.

Drink stations and timing points open at set times. If you start in the wrong wave and arrive before opening times you will be held until they are open.

  1. To be eligible for a trophy or the national championship, you must enter the 8.00 am wave.
  2. If you are likely to cover the first 18km through to Norton Summit in less than 1 hr 45 min, you should start in the 8.00 am wave.
  3. If you are a slower 7.00 am runner, we strongly recommend that you start in the 6.00 am wave.
  4. If you are a slower 26 km runner we strongly recommend you consider starting in the 17 km distance.


IMPORTANT:
 You must choose the correct wave. If you have run the event before, search your previous finish results and use them as a guide. Results for all previous Five Peaks events can be found on the Event Strategies website, by typing “Five Peaks” into the Search Box in the right-hand column called All Race Results.

Changing your distance

You can now easily change your distance yourself on Race Roster. This must be done by 5.00 pm on the Thursday before the race.

If you still want your name printed on your bib, you must change it by 27 March 2025.

Changes after closing date

Last-minute changes on the day can be made at the registration desk of your preferred event distance start area.

Cancelling your entry

If you need to cancel, please complete the form by registration final closing time. View policy.

Course closure

All runners/walkers must cross the finish line by 5:30 pm or receive a DNF. The following paces apply:

  • 58 km runners 6:00 am starters: 11:40/km
  • 58 km runners 7:00 am starters: 10:30/km
  • 58 km runners 8:00 am starters: 9:30/km
  • 26 km runners: 12:00/km
  • 17 km runners: 14:30/km
  • 10 km runners/walkers: 20:00/km


Cutoff times will be strictly enforced at McElligotts Quarry.

  • 58 km runners 6:00 am starters must arrive by 3.30 pm
  • 58 km runners 7:00 am starters must arrive by 3.35 pm
  • 58 km runners 8:00 am starters must arrive by 3.45 pm
  • 26 km runners must arrive by 3.30 pm
  • 17 km runners must arrive by 3.00 pm
  • 10 km runners/walkers: N/A


If you arrive at McElligott’s Quarry after these times you will be stopped by a TRSA official. Your time will be recorded as DNF (did-not-finish). We will provide you with a lift back to the finish line, or you can call someone else to pick you up.

Cutoff times will be strictly enforced.

View our policy and methodology for determining course closures and cutoffs.

Walkers

Welcome! You may take part in the 10 km course event only. This is to ensure you are back safely and accounted for by our course closure time.

Race information

Recommended gear

Mandatory:

  • We are cup-free. You must bring your own hydration vessel
  • All 6.00 am starters must have a head torch or similar (mobile phone not acceptable)
  • Mobile phone

Highly recommended:

  • Basic first aid supplies eg thermal blanket, elastic bandage, band aids/blister pack
  • Appropriate layers or a rain jacket

Keep up to date

Five Peaks social gathering

An information evening will be held before the event.

More soon.

Before the race

Training runs

We hold a series of social training runs for Five Peaks.

View our facebook page for details.

Run 1: Foxfield to Norton – TBC 2025 | View course
Run 2: Norton to Cleland – TBC 2025 | View course
Run 3: Cleland to Belair – TBC 2025 | View course

Drop bags

 A drop-bag area is available for 58 km runners at the Coach Road aid station. Both 58 km and 26 km runners will have bags returned to the finish line from Coach Road (58 km only) and their start areas.

Bib pickup

Bib numbers are normally assigned 2-days prior to an event.

All bibs must be picked up from the rego areas at the start line of your distance on the morning of the event. Please allow enough time to collect your bib before your race.

Drink stations

DS 1 (6.55 to 9:20 am) – Chapman’s Track (9km) – Watermelon, Bananas, Water and Infinit Speed Orange sports drink.

DS 2 (8:05 to 11:00 am) – Norton Summit (18km) – Watermelon, Bananas, Lollies, Chips, Water and Infinit Speed Orange sports drink.

DS 3 (9:00 am to 12.15 pm) – Coach Rd (25.5km) – Watermelon, Bananas, Lollies, Chips, Potatoes, Coke, Water and Infinit Speed Orange sports drink.

DS 4 (9:45 am – 1:15 pm) – Mount Lofty Summit (32km) – Watermelon, Bananas, Lollies, Chips, Coke, Brownies, Vegemite Scrolls, Finger Buns, Water and Infinit Speed Orange sports drink.

DS 5 (10:50 am – 2:55 pm) – Mount Barker Rd (42km / 9.5km) – Watermelon, Bananas, Lollies, Chips, Coke, Water and Infinit Speed Orange sports drink.

DS 6 (11:40 am – 3:55 pm) – McElligott’s Quarry (49km / 16km / 6.9km) – Watermelon, Bananas, Lollies, Chips, Coke, Brownies, Water and Infinit Speed Orange sports drink.

Finish line – EVERYTHING + options to purchase coffee and food.

Delicious recovery food will also be available.

Timing procedures

Course marking

Learn about our course marking and what to look out for.

Car parking and car pooling

There is plenty of parking around Foxfield Oval and Belair National Park.

Volunteers, supporters, family and friends arriving at Belair

Go to the Belair National Park main entrance. Let them know you are with TRSA for free entry.

Please follow the signs and directions of volunteer traffic marshals.

Parking around the main oval is reserved for committee members, official TRSA supporters and volunteers.

We have reserved plenty of parking spaces just a short walk from the Main Oval for family and friends.

Bus transport to start lines

Buses leave from the car park adjacent to the Belair National Park Holiday Park and travel to all start lines.

  • 58km (6.00 am start) bus departs at 4.45 am
  • 58km (7.00 am start) bus departs at 5.45 am
  • 58km (8.00 am start) bus departs at 6.45 am
  • 26km bus departs at 10.45 am
  • 17km bus departs at 11.45 am
  • 10km bus departs at 12.30 pm


Tickets cost $TBC
 and can be booked as you enter or later by amending your registration. Bus tickets are non-refundable.

Race photos and video

Photos and our amazing videos are uploaded to our Facebook page shortly after each event.

At the race

Race briefing

The race briefing will be uploaded here.

Results

Preliminary results are available shortly after you’ve crossed the finish line.

Since announcing the date of our event, the AFL has confirmed that their Gather Round will also be held on this weekend.

If you’re a football fan, this creates an exciting opportunity for you! However we are aware that this will also affect the availability of flights and accomodation. We suggest that you confirm both as early as possible.

We are currently exploring a homestay billet for visiting runners.

Accomodation in Adelaide

A range of TRSA merchandise is available. Visit our shop.

Our supporter ioMerino has a range of 2025 Five Peaks merchandise. Head to the ioMerino website.

Merchandise

Prizes/presentations will be held shortly after the arrival of the 3rd placed male & female runner in each event.

The members-only random draw will take place at approximately 3.30 pm You must be present or still on-course to receive your prize.

Prizes and random draw

We are a 100% volunteer-led club. Show your support – volunteer and be part of the fun!

Put up your hand and we’ll be in touch.

Volunteering

Join our Trail Running SA Lounge on Facebook and ask the trail community your question.

Contact one of our volunteers if you still can’t find the answer to your question.

Key contacts

  • Race Director: Alison Fenton
  • Assistant Race Director: Andy Syed
  • Referee: Michael Tagell and AUTRA representative

The fine print

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

Got a question?