The TRSA committee welcomes you to the Five Peaks Running Festival which this year includes the AUTRA National Short Trail Championship.
If you’ve run this event before the course will be familiar. Yes those five peaks are still there, the disco tunnel will be rocking and we’ve still got the friendliest volunteer crew in town. If you’re new to our events or are from interstate, welcome – you’re in for a treat!
You are one of almost 600 adventurous souls who have registered for the start line. We wish you a successful event and look forward to seeing you cross the finish line at Belair National Park.
Please read this briefing carefully as a few things have changed this year.
Hydration vessel – we are a cup free event. You MUST carry your own drinking flask or cup.
Head torch – if you are starting in the 58km 6.00 am wave, you must have a head torch or similar. Your phone light is not acceptable. Runners who do not have appropriate lighting will not be permitted to start in this wave and will be held until 7.00 am.
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).
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.
Sections of the course are on roads or cross intersections. We will have traffic control, volunteer marshals and signage in appropriate places, however runners should be careful at all times and are ultimately responsible for their own safety.
This year there will be increased traffic control through the Norton Summit areas of the course. Runners must run where directed by our marshals including through official crossing areas and coned sections of road.
Traffic will only be stopped through the Norton Summit area in places where runners cross the road. Traffic in this area will also be slowed.
In all other areas our marshals DO NOT STOP VEHICLES. They have been instructed to stop runners as required. Their role is to get you safely through high risk areas – please respect their decisions and follow their directions.
Be aware of snakes on course. It’s still warm enough for them to be out and about. Snakes will try to avoid you if they can – give them the space to do so. We recommend that all runners carry snake bite bandages.
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.
WARNING: This event has areas of poor phone reception and areas that are difficult to access by vehicle. If you come across a person who needs help, please stop and assist them.
For urgent medical assistance:
For non-urgent medical assistance:
If you can’t get phone reception, you may need to send another runner to higher ground.
Trained first aid personnel will be stationed at various points along the course and at the finish line.
There are first aid kits at all drink stations.
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.
There is absolutely NO PARKING at the 17 km (Mt Barker Road) start line. This is a kiss and drop or bus area only.
Regardless of your starting point, 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 and hydrate well both in the days prior and during the event.
REVIEW BELAIR PARKING ARRANGEMENTS AND BUS LOCATIONS WHICH HAVE CHANGED – IT IS CRITICAL THAT YOU READ DETAILS BELOW.
10km run: 1.30 pm from McElligotts Quarry Reserve. Please be aware of runners from longer distances travelling through this area.
BELAIR PARKING ARRANGEMENTS AND BUS LOCATIONS HAVE CHANGED THIS YEAR
If you are driving to Belair and carpooling to Foxfield Oval or catching the buses please follow these important instructions:
58km – 6.00 am starters (4.45 am bus)
58km – 7.00 am and 8.00 am starters (5.45 am and 6.45 am buses)
You will need to park in the residential streets adjacent to the main gate on Upper Sturt Road.
Please keep noise to an absolute minimum in residential areas.
26km (10.45 am bus), 17km (11.45 am bus) and 10km (12.30 pm bus).
For all volunteers and spectators driving to Belair
DO NOT park on anything other than bitumen or gravel. If you park on any vegetation you run the risk of a ticket from the park rangers.
Be respectful of other Belair National Park visitors. We haven’t booked the whole Park and we’ve worked hard to come up with a plan with the rangers. Please respect Park requirements.
Car parking is available in the car parking bays along Maryvale Road, adjacent to Foxfield Oval Reserve.
Please do not park in the oval car park.
Remember that most people are still asleep at this hour on a Sunday morning – keep the noise down so we don’t get complaints!
Car parking is available on the far (northern) side of the car park.
Please do not park near the Wildlife Park entrance
Use the public toilets in the car park before walking to the start line.
There is NO car parking at this spot. It is “kiss and drop” and bus only. Marshals will ask any persons attempting to park here to move to a safer location as parking here proposes a significant risk to both competitors, traffic and cyclists using the road.
Please park on Carrick Hill Drive rather than in the small carpark which we are leaving to the public.
Please use the public toilets or our portaloos for your nature breaks.
Norton Summit – public toilets behind CFS
Coach Road – 2 X portaloo
Cleland National Park – public toilets in car park area
Mt Lofty Lookout – public toilets inside cafe
Mt Barker Road – 2 X portaloos
McElligotts Quarry – 2 X portaloos
All bibs are collected from your start area on race day.
If you are changing your distance at the last minute, go to your new start area where we will issue you with a new bib.
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 20 mins before start time. Do not email or message us on Facebook.
We have a self-service bib pick-up system:
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.
Get your bib from the baskets (self-service).
If you can’t find your bib, then ask the rego team for help.
Allow at least 30 minutes prior to start time.
** DO NOT collect anyone’s bib who is not starting on the day.
** If you change your distance, DO NOT collect your original bib.
All collected bibs are considered starters; if they are not taken across the finish line, we will enact our search/rescue protocol.
If you have taken your bib but not started you must inform us of your withdrawal by calling or texting the safety number on the back of your bib or informing the registration crew.
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!
Course re-route on 58 km course
We’ve been forced to re-route a section through the Deep View Lookout area in Morialta. This will take the total distance of the 58km to 59km. The new route is on the webpage and can now be downloaded.
Course marking
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.
A course convergence sign is used where the 26 km track joins into the 58 km course in Cleland National Park.
Cut-offs have changed.
A cut-off time of 3.45 pm for all events will be strictly enforced at McElligotts Quarry. Cut-offs exist for the safety of runners and volunteers. A TRSA official will stop runners who do not make their cut-off time. We will provide you with a lift to the finish line, or you can call someone else to pick you up.
The official course closure time is 5.30 pm, however we will allow all runners who leave McElligotts Quarry by their cut-off, to record a finish time.
This is a trail race and you will be running through some lovely areas. Don’t ruin it with your rubbish. Pack it out or make sure it goes into a bin. This is not a road race with teams of people ready to sweep up after you! Do the right thing!
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 over 100 wonderful volunteers plus committee members (and partners) helping us out over the weekend. Many of them will run as well. Without them, this race would be impossible. Say thanks and show your appreciation!
You may leave your bags at our bag drop area at your own risk. We do not supervise bags.
We will take named and labelled drop bags to DS3 (Coach Road) and the finish line.
58 km runners:
Bring your drop bag(s) to the Foxfield Oval start area, clearly labelled with your name and drop location (Coach Road or Belair).
26/17/10 km runners:
If you would like a drop bag at the finish line, leave it under the sign inside the Main Pavilion at Belair before jumping on the bus. We will have a drop bag location at your start lines, but the less we have to carry back, the better!
As part of our permit, the Department of Environment and Water requires you to have clean footwear and avoid “where possible, traversing muddy ground where soil may accumulate on shoes.” For the first part, please make sure your shoes are clean when you arrive at your start line and we’ll provide disinfectant for use as needed. We’ll leave it up to you to decide what the rest of it looks like.
Tailwind is vegan and gluten-free. It does not contain soy, artificial colours or flavours and is non-GMO.
The Tailwind at our aid stations is non-caffeinated.
It will be mixed at a ratio of 200 calories per 700ml. This will allow you to consume some additional aid station food. Also, this mixed ratio prevents you from consuming too many calories per hour in hot weather conditions when you are likely to drink more.
A list of aid station food is available on the event web page.
Congratulations await you at the finish line! Not to mention some fabulous food available from the foodtrucks and the TRSA tent.
While you’re hanging out, check out our supporters tents as well, and get behind the businesses that support TRSA.
58km runners who complete the event within cut-off will also receive a finisher’s medal.
Your results are available immediately after you complete your race. Check out the live scoring.
Presentations will be held shortly after the arrival of the third placed male and female in each event.
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 be held around 3.30 pm.
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 (surely not), get cracking and don’t miss out.
After crossing the finishing line, hang around and enjoy the post-race refreshments.
We’ll provide the usual assortment including the brownies plus Nomad Runner Snack will be providing delicious recovery food and John from The Coffee Run will sell drinks and snacks. Food will be available from around midday until sold-out.
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.
IOMerino is our official provider of Five Peaks gear. This year we have some great new tops and colours available, thanks to the brilliant design skills of TRSA member James Brown. View the range and order.
We’ll also have our new colour range of caps available, TRSA fleece hoodies and TRSA Keep Cups (buy a cup and John from The Coffee run will give you a discount at our races).
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!
Happy trails, TRSA Committee
South Australia’s largest not-for-profit, community-based trail running organisation.
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TRSA acknowledges the traditional owners of all the lands we run through and thanks those peoples for looking after the places we enjoy today.
