Cleland 2025 race briefing

Sunday 7 September, 2025

Welcome runners!

On behalf of the TRSA committee, we welcome you to the fourth event of the 2025 On The Trails series, Cleland.

We are glad to be back at this very special part of the Adelaide Hills.

Congratulations on being one of the adventurous 500 runners registered for the start line. We wish you a successful event.

Below you will find all the important race-day things you need to know. And remember, they’re only hills!

Critical safety information

Mandatory gear

Hydration vessel – we are a cup free event. You MUST carry your own drinking flask or cup.

Mobile phone – please carry a phone and save our emergency number to your phone: 0491 017 636 (also on the back of your race bib).

Emergency Plus app

All runners should download the Emergency Plus app onto their mobile phones. This app will dial 000 for you at the tap of a button and provide you with a GPS location and address to give the operator.

Emergency details on the back of your bib

If you’ve entered after the “name on bib” cut-off date and your name does not appear on your bib, please use the textas provided at the registration area to clearly write your name and your emergency contact person’s phone number on the back of your bib. This is for YOUR safety and could be very important in the event of a medical emergency.

Highly recommended gear

  • Basic first aid supplies eg thermal blanket, elastic bandage, band aids / blister pack.
  • Appropriate layers and/or a rain jacket (depending on weather forecast).

Withdrawals on the day

If you make the tough decision to pull out during your run, you MUST inform us immediately by calling or texting the safety phone number on the back of your bib. It is critical that you do this – lost competitors will result in us enacting our search and rescue protocols.

Helping injured or ill runners in remote areas

WARNING: Cleland has areas that are remote with poor phone reception and difficult vehicle access. If you come across a person who needs help, please stop and assist them.

For urgent medical assistance:

  1. Dial 000 (or use the Emergency Plus app).
  2. Call the safety number on the back of your bib.

For non-urgent medical assistance call the safety number on the back of your bib, approach the nearest drink station or inform a race marshal.

If you can’t get phone reception, you may need to send another runner to higher ground.

There are first aid kits at all drink stations.

** Insurance **

A reminder that your personal insurance is not covered by your entry fees. It is up to you to ensure that you have adequate insurance in place should you suffer a medical episode or emergency.

Event details and start times

Regardless of your distance, your course will provide a blend of challenges and inspiration.

Please:

  • familiarise yourself with the course and download the map from our website
  • know the location of our drink stations.

All distances start near the western end of the Cleland Wildlife Car Park .

  • 21km long course: Start time 7:30am
  • 16km medium course: Start time 8:00am
  • 10km short course: Start time 8:30am
  • Junior mountaineers (kids run): Approximately 10:30am but listen out for announcements


Please note that your finish time is based on the start time (gun time) and not the time you cross the timing mat (all events).

** Car pooling is essential. **

Available spaces are limited and each vehicle will need 3 occupants to be permitted into the carpark near Cleland parkrun start point. Marshals will be in place – please follow their instructions. Car pooling from the Crafers Park’n’Ride is encouraged.

Just like coming to Cleland parkrun, these are the driving directions to the car park.

From the SE Freeway: use the Crafers exit, and follow the signage for Cleland Wildlife park along Mt Lofty Summit Road. The signposted entry gates will be on your left.

From Greenhill Road: Turn onto Mt Lofty Summit Road, following the signage for Cleland Wildlife park. The signposted entry gates will be on your right.

From park gates: Follow the road through the gates and down to the wildlife park. Please take care and observe the speed limit. Native animals such as kangaroos are not an uncommon encounter in the early morning. Please follow the instructions of the car park marshals at all times.

There are no toilets out on course. There are public toilets in the carpark and portaloos near the top of the start area.

Check the entry list to make sure you are entered in the correct event and start time. If it is wrong, please see the Registration Manager on the day at least 30 mins before start time. Do not email or message us on Facebook.

You should allow 30 minutes before start time to pick up your bib using our self-service system:

  1. Check your bib number from either the link below (normally live Friday pm before the event) or on the boards near the registration area. HINT: take a photo if you aren’t great at remembering numbers or are collecting multiple bibs.

  2. Enter the correct bib area (short, medium or long).

  3. Get your bib from the baskets (self-service).

  4. If you can’t find your bib, then ask the rego team for help.

NB: Running with another person’s bib when you have not entered our race will result in disqualification and a potential ban from our events. See our policy.

IMPORTANT: Your bib must be worn in front of you at around waist height. It should be visible at all times and unobstructed as you travel over the start, finish and timing points to ensure accurate timing. HINT: don’t cover your bib with your hands as you race to check your watch the moment you cross the finish line!

The courses will be well marked but you should download the GPX files from the website.

Markings to look out for:

  • Red arrows are used to indicate a turn or reinforce the course direction.

  • Red-and-white ribbons 200-400m apart confirm that you’re on the right track.

  • Wrong way signs where needed.

  • There are various locations where courses converge or diverge.

Cut off:

The cut-off time for all courses at the finish line is 11.30am.

Long Course runners must leave DS2 by 9.45am and DS3 by 10.45am. Medium Course runners must leave DS2 by 10.45am. Cut-offs will be strictly enforced.

Pace:

  • Long:      11.35 mins/km
  • Medium:  13 mins/km
  • Short:       18.10 mins/km

Sweepers will start each event 5 minutes behind the official start time. They will aim to finish the course at the cut-off time or behind the last competitor (whichever is earlier).

Sweepers are an important safety measure to ensure that all runners/walkers are accounted for. They can also provide limited assistance* and advice to runners on the course.

*Sweepers are instructed to contact the safety phone if they encounter anyone in distress.

We have around 40 wonderful volunteers plus committee members helping us out over the weekend, many of whom are then going on to run as well. Without them, this race would be impossible. Say thanks and show your appreciation!

Trained first aid personnel will be stationed at the start/finish line.

You may leave your personal bags at our bag drop area at your own risk. We do not supervise bags.

Your clean shoes are part of our social obligation to help stop the spread of weeds in bushland, so please make sure they are soil and debris-free before you arrive at the event.

After your race

Your results are available immediately after you complete your race. Check out the live scoring.

Presentations are normally held at 11am. In the event of inclement weather, this may be brought forward.

Who doesn’t love winning prizes? Our supporters have generously donated some fantastic trail running gear and vouchers for the TRSA Members’ random prize draw which will follow the presentations.

You must be present at the random draw or still on course to claim your prize.

If you’ve forgotten to sign up for membership this year, make sure you get onto it now.

After crossing the finishing line, hang around and enjoy the post-race refreshments. We’ll provide the usual assortment plus Nomad Runner Snack and John from The Coffee Run will provide drinks and snacks. For discounted coffee, you can order your TRSA Keep Cup from our online shop and collect it on the day.

Our fantastic supporters will be on site at the event with trail running gear to buy and try, so be sure to head over for a shop and a chat after your event. They’ve also donated prizes for the random draw, so don’t forget to say thanks. See who supports trail runners.

TRSA merch will be available at the start / finish areas. Check out our jackets, latest hats and Keep Cups. Bring your TRSA Keep Cup to our events and you’ll receive a discount for your hot drinks from The Coffee Run- save your pocket. Do a good thing for the environment and help out our committee members who are literally carrying all the event trash back to their homes and disposing in their own bins!

Preorder your items and pick up on race day.

Good luck

Wishing you all the best for a memorable and successful race day. Lace up your shoes, set your sights on the finish line, and let the journey begin!

Best regards, TRSA Committee