Sturt Gorge 2021

Date: Sun, 06 June 2021

The Sturt Gorge event incorporates the multi-use Craigburn Farm and Sturt Gorge Recreation Park trails. We have designed three awesome and varied courses, which take runners on beautifully designed and constructed tracks, through typical Australian bushland with fantastic views of the Park and its valleys. You’ll Walk the Dog, stick to the single track on Sticks and Stones, find Horners Corners, run the River Trail and descend De Rose before traversing Tapa Turrungka Trail to make your way back to the finish line.

Cost

Early bird until midnight, Sunday May 23, 2021
- 20 km run: $28
- 13 km run: $24
- 6 km run/walk: $20
Before entries close 5pm, Thursday June 3, 2021
- 20 km run: $35
- 13 km run: $30
- 6 km run/walk: $25

Kids under 15 (must be participating with an adult): $12. For Trail Running SA’s policy for under 18’s click here.

Start times

20 km run at 8:00 a.m.
13 km run at 8:30 a.m.
6 km run/walk at 9:00 a.m.
Sturt Gorge Squids Kids’ race at 10:15am

Random Draw Prizes and Presentations

Presentations will be held at 10:30 a.m. Trail Running SA members will be eligible for the following random draw prizes to be drawn at the presentation. Joining Trail Running SA is easy and costs only $10. Click here for more info on membership.

Trail Running SA Supporters at Sturt Gorge: tba

The Trail Running SA team & how to volunteer

Key volunteer roles for this event:

Race Director: Claire
Assistant Race Director: Bonnie

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!

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 reach out if you have any more questions.
Join the Trail Running SA lounge on Facebook – a friendly place for our community to keep each other updated, ask for advice, and anything else in Trail Running in SA related.

Start Location

The event will start from inside Craigburn Rd, with all runners asked to enter via this gate and walk down to the start line, via the portaloos.

Parking at the event

We have secured access to Craigburn Rd beyond the national parks gate for event parking. Please continue along Craigburn Rd past the Blackwood Football Club and you will be directed where to park by volunteer marshals. Please follow their instructions and do not park until you receive instructions from a volunteer marshal.

There will be plenty of parking along this road so don’t be tempted to park at an earlier location -we don’t want to wear out our welcome with residents in the area. There is strictly NO PARKING in the St Peters Lutheran School/Church car park. For google map directions straight to the the first car parking marshal, click here. Follow their instructions from there.

Key dates

Your age category is calculated according to your age as at 1st January 2021.
Sunday May 23: Early bird prices end at midnight
Wednesday May 26: Get your entry in by 5pm to guarantee your name will be printed on your bib.
Thursday June 3: Entries close at 5pm. There will be no race-day registrations.

Cancellations and changes

If you need to cancel or amend your entry, please head over to our FAQ page and fill out the relevant form.

Merchandise

Trail Running SA has a range of merchandise available via the online store. You can order online for pickup at the event. There will also be limited stock available at the event.

Course Map & Closures

Course Map

Course maps are at the bottom of this page. The courses will be marked.

Course Closures

Our policy and methodology for determining course closure times is here. All courses close at 11am, giving the following cutoff paces:

20 km run: closes at 10.30 min/km.
13 km run: closes at 13:51 min/km.
6 km run/walk: closes at 25:00 min/km.

Walkers

Welcome! We permit walkers into the shortest distance 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.

Toilets

There are toilets located at the start.

Mandatory gear

Bring your own bottle belt or hydration pack – there are no cups of water at the drink stations.
Mobile phone. We recommend programming the first aid number 0491 017 636 in. This number is also written on the back of your bib.

At the race

Bag drop

There will not be a drop bag tent at this event. Participants are encouraged to leave all non-essential items in their cars.

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. 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.
Advise the registration desk volunteer of your bib number and they will hand it over. Help yourself to safety pins if you need them.
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.

First Aid

There will be first-aiders in attendance. If in need of serious first aid whilst on the course please ring the first-aid number on 0491 017 636 (this number is also printed on your bib). In an emergency, ring 000. For cuts and other minor treatment please see the first-aiders in the start / finishing area.

Drink station and refreshments

Bring your own bottle belts or hydration packs (camelbaks), because there will be no cups of water at the drink stations.

There will be water, fruit, crisps and Maurice’s delicious brownies. John from The Coffee Run will be there to with his usual coffee van, offering a 50c discount if you bring your own cup.