
Cleland 2026 race briefing
Welcome to On the Trails in Cleland National Park. Please read the following information carefully.
Arrival and logistics
Location:
Cleland National Park, Mount Lofty Summit Road, Crafers (look for the sign to the wildlife park at the entrance gate).
From the park gates, follow the road 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.
Parking and carpooling:
You are requested to carpool if possible. There is limited car parking available, and Sunday is expected to be busy due to Father's Day activities. Do not park in the bays near the wildlife park entrance - head to the far end of the carpark near the parkrun start area.
You may be able to leave your car at the Crafers bus interchange park and ride area and catch a lift up the hill with other runners - shout out in the TRSA Lounge if you are looking for a ride. Make sure you specify which carpark you will be in!
Our friendly volunteer marshals will be on hand to help facilitate the carparking process.
Please follow their instructions and keep in mind that they have offered their time to help our event, so make them feel the love out there.
Key event timing:
| 7:00 am | Bib pick-up opens; bag drop available |
| 7.30 am | Long course start |
| 8:00 am | Medium course start |
| 8.30 am | Short course start |
| 10.00 am | Kids’ cross-country event |
| 10:30 am | Presentations |
| 11:30 am | Course close and pack up |
Race bibs:
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 here 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 before start time.
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!
Bag drop:
You may leave your personal bags at our bag drop area at your own risk. We do not supervise bags.
The course
Routes and maps:
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.
- There are various locations where courses converge or diverge.
Aid stations:
Water and lollies will be at all drink stations except DS 1a (water only).
| Long course | DS 1 Pengana Track (near Waterfall Gully Road) 4.00 km DS 1a near Wildlife Park (unattended) 6.00km DS 2 Reynolds Drive (near Mt Lofty House) 9.70 km DS 3 Near Measday's Lookout 15.50 km |
| Medium course | DS 1 Pengana Track (near Waterfall Gully Road) 4.00 km DS 1a near Wildlife Park (unattended) 6.00km DS 2 Reynolds Drive (near Mt Lofty House) 9.70 km |
| Short course | DS 2 Reynolds Drive (near Mt Lofty House) 4.9 km |
Cut-off times and pace:
Course closes at 11.30 am. Entrants who finish after this time will receive a Did Not Finish (DNF).
- Long course runners: 11:31 mins/km
- Medium course runners: 12.56 mins/km
- Short course runners/walkers: 20.08 mins/km
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.
Toilets:
There are no toilets on the course. There will be portaloos near the start line and a public toilet block in the car park area.
Safety and rules
** 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. Our emergency number 0491 017 636 is on the back of your race bib.
Emergency Plus app – you are requested to download the Emergency Plus app onto your mobile phone. 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.
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).
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 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.
Withdrawals on course:
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.
We will try to transport you back to the start-line, but if this is not possible, you may need to organise your own transport from the course.
Directions to leave the course:
If you fall behind cut-off or a race official believes that you should not continue for another reason, we will direct you to leave the course. If you ignore our request and choose to continue running, you do so entirely at your own risk.
Helping injured or ill runners:
Cleland has some 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:
- dial 000 (or use the Emergency Plus app).
- then 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 entry fees do not cover your personal insurance. It is up to you to ensure that you have adequate insurance in place should you suffer a medical episode or emergency.
Clean footwear:
Your clean shoes are part of our 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
Results and presentations:
Your results are available immediately after you complete your race. Check out the live scoring.
Presentations will be held early this year due to Father's Day, at 10:30 am. In the event of inclement weather, this may be brought forward.
Random draw:
Who doesn’t love winning prizes? Thanks to our generous supporters, we have fantastic trail running gear and vouchers up for grabs in our Members’ random draw.
To help everyone make their Father’s Day plans on time, we are publishing the winner's list in advance.
Prize Collection
To claim your prize, you must:
Have participated in the event or volunteered on the day.
Collect your prize in person at the event (please avoid peak bib pick-up times).
Pick up your prize before the course closes at 11:30 AM.
Note: Unclaimed prizes will be rolled over into the Mt Bold prize pool.
View random prize draw winners.
Refreshments:
After crossing the finish line, hang around and enjoy the post-race refreshments (brownies YEESSS!) We’ll provide the usual assortment, plus you can purchase hot food and recovery drinks from Nomad Runner Snack and hot drinks and snacks from The Coffee Run.
Photos and video:
Photos and video will be uploaded to our Facebook page, normally within two days of our events (and often much sooner).
Protests and results queries:
- Provisional results: Results will be posted live. Please check your time as soon as you finish.
- How to protest: Any protests regarding the results or a breach of race rules should be made immediately to the event Referee at the registration tent before the presentations. Please bring your watch/phone with your Strava or equivalent data.
- Time limit: Results are considered final by 5:00 pm Wednesday after the event. Any additional queries should be submitted before this time by completing the Protest/Query Form.
Thank you and wrap-up
Volunteers:
This race is made possible by a team of around 40 volunteers who have given up their morning to support your journey. They are marshalling junctions, handing out water, wrangling race logistics and cheering you on.
Be Kind: A “thank you” as you run past goes a long way.
Respect: Please follow all instructions given by our marshals—they are there for your safety and to ensure the race runs smoothly.
Meet the team:
| Race Director | Rhys Evans |
| Assistant Race Director | Jeremy Zieseniss |
| Referee | Andrew Norman |
| Medical personnel | Colmed Group |
| TRSA Committee | Look for the team in the pink vests |
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!
And Dads... you're awesome! Happy Father's Day.
Best regards, TRSA Committee
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