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Summit to Sea Sunday 6 January, 2013

2013 Run Report           2013 Times   

The  2013  Summit to Sea
with Sally and Sonja

 7.00am Sunday 6th January, 2013
Mt Lofty Summit to Brighton Jetty
35km, 18.5km and 14kms options

Runners and Walkers – all welcome!
A no cost,  low support run /walk.

No need to register - just turn up on the day.

Bus bookings have closed and all buses are full!!! 

TOILETS AT THE START

PLEASE NOTE: Unfortunately it is not possible for us to access the toilets at the Mt Lofty Summit so you may wish to access the public  toilets at Crafers  before heading up to the summit. We will try and get the bus drivers to stop there on the way up to enable people to use the toilets. We have also requested that the toilets at Apex Park, Hawthordene be opened by 7.30am but can't be sure that this will happen. Sorry!

A NO COST / LOW SUPPORT RUN

The Summit to Sea run has traditionally been the first run on the SARRC's SA  Trail Running Calendar and has always been a no cost low support run. So the best rule of thumb is to expect nothing and enjoy it when something is able to be offered. There are costs associated with the run and we will have a donation tin at the finish for you to make a contribution. Please be generous.

It has always been a great fun run in the true spirit of the word. Enjoy yourself. If you are new to SARRC or to trail running then we hope that we see more of you during the year. And if you are not a member of SARRC, think about joining up. Besides cheaper entries into all SARRC/SA Trail Running events you get an annual subscription to Run 4 Your Life magazine. Full details here.

THE 2013 COURSE

Because of road works being undertaken to the Southern Expressway it is necessary for us to take an alternative route in 2013. 

Please print off the map and notes here.

You can also upload the gpx file of the 2013 course here. 

Please check the map to see that we will be following the Flinders University Ring Rd down the hill into Flinders Drive, crossing South Rd near the Flinders Medical Centre. We will then be following the same route (in reverse) as the 2012 Sea to Summit - passed the Kuarna Cultural Centre and onto to Marion Rd. We will join the normal trail in the Peregrine Close park.

As in previous years we will endeavour to mark the trail with peg ribbons and chalk. We use red and white ribbons to let you know that you are on the right trail and bright pink "decision" ribbons to let you know that you need to make a change of direction. If you come to a pink ribbon, pause and look for the next red and white ribbon to tell you which direction to proceed.

A particular thanks to those people who have taken on the enormous taks of marking the 2013 trail.

ROAD SAFETY and PARK PROTOCOLS

Please ensure that at all time you run with care, especially on roads. Obey all road rules and where required cross at the traffic lights. Please also ensure that you also obey all National Park protocols and respect other park users at all times.

SIGNING ON/ SIGNING OFF

Please make sure that you sign on at your start location and sign off at the finish. This is so that we can ensure that every person that starts finishes. As a low cost support run we do not have the capacity to provide a great deal of assistance should you need to withdraw. Carry your mobile phone so you can call your family or friends - or a taxi! In the event that you need to withdraw please SMS Terry Cleary, the Run Director. You can also call Terry at any time during the run if you require assistance with directions. it is a good idea to enter Terry's mobile number into your phone before the run:

Terry Cleary: 0411 723 677

WEATHER/ BUSH FIRE UPDATE:

The current weather forecast on Sunday 6 January, 2013 is min 17, max 36. We have decided that this is just within the limits for the run to proceed. Should the predicted maximum get any higher (37 degrees or higher) the run will be postponed to the following Sunday. We will make this decision based on the estimated maximum as predicted on the Bureau of Meteorology Adelaide Forecast at 6.00pm on Saturday 5 January, 2013 and as announced on local radio/TV news.

The other factor that we also need to take into consideration is the bush fire risk.  Regardless of the estimated maximum temperature, the run will be postponed if the bush fire safety warning is either catastrophic or extreme. This decision will be based on the CFS warnings as posted around 4.00pm on Saturday 5 January, 2013.

In the event that it is necessary to postpone the run, we will update this website at 6.00pm on Saturday 5 January, 2013. Should the run be postponed, an alternative beach run will take place from Brighton jetty at 6.00am on Sunday 6 January, 2013.

Because of the hot conditions some people doing the full distance have requested to start earlier. It is not possible for us to alter the bus bookings, but if you are getting to the Summit in your own vehicle, you may choose to start earlier. Please make sure though that you sign on before leaving. We will have sign on sheets available from 5.45am from the Summit start area. 

Whilst water will be available at several locations along the trail,  all runners are advised to carry their own water supplies to ensure they stay hydrated throughout the entire run.

BUS BOOKINGS:

Bus bookings have officially closed. All bus seats have now been allocated.  

It’s back on again…!  The annual Summit to Sea Run!  What better way to begin the new year than a long run from the Mt Lofty Summit finishing with a swim and a casual brunch at Brighton.

The first Sea to Summit Run took place in January 2009 with over 70 people running from Kingston Park to the Mt Lofty summit. After that first run, more than one person suggested that at the height of summer we should be running the course downhill finishing with a swim.

And so the Summit to Sea Trail Run was created as the first event on the SARRC Trail Running Calendar – held on the first Sunday of the year as a no cost, no entry, low support run/walk from Mt Lofty Summit to Brighton Jetty.

This year then is the fourth Summit to Sea. And each year the numbers have increased with a crowd of over 200 taking part in 2012 across the different distances. How many will come out to play in 2013?

Start Locations and start times.

7.00am - Mt Lofty Summit (34kms)

8.00am - Apex Park, Hawthorndene (18.5kms)

8.30am - Gorge Rd, Bellevue Heights (14.0kms)

 The 2013 Summit to Sea with Sally and Sonja!

In 2009 we began a tradition of inviting participants to run the George Driscoll Sea to Summit Trail with one of our own trail legends. In January 2009  it was the “Postie that Runs”, the legendary Kym Williams. In January 2010 we invited runners to partake in a "Dash of Chilli" with the Victorian trail runner and Yurrebilla promoter, Peter "Chilliman" Mullins. in 2011, we invited participants to "Do it with Doug!' except Doug Smart was injured onthe day and so even though we did it with Doug. Doug didn't do it with us! And last year we honoured the another ever youthful runner, David Close.  Unfortunately high temperatures and pending bushfires resulted the run being postponed by a week which meant David wasn't available - but we ran it without him and in his honour anyway!

This year we honour two women that have been at the heart of trail running here in South Australia over the last six years: Sally Buckett and Sonja Benn. Now, I know we might be accused of treating the fairer sex unfairly by honouring two women at once, but we are just trying to address the historical imbalance of the first four years as quickly as possible. And Sally and Sonja are a pair, great friends, and so often seen running together.

Sonja was there at the first Yurrebilla Trail 56km Ultra in 2007 and is one of seven runners to have run the event each year since. Sally was unable to run Yurrebilla that first year but has run it every year since 2008. Both Sally and Sonja were at the first monthly trail run at Mt Misery in November 2008 and it was Sonja who first suggested we run the Pioneer Women's Trail. 

In recent years Sally and Sonja, as members of what has been called "The Church of the chronicallly early", have been known on a few occasions to start a bit earlier than the main group. But there is no truth to the rumour that is going around that the only way we could get them to start on time with everyone else is to honour them as legends. Not at all! We honour them for all that they have given to the SA Trail Running Community over the years. And we trust that they have many many more years of running still to come! 

A no cost,  no entry low supported run/walk.

Like most  trail runs on the SARRC Trail Running calendar, this event is a "no cost no entry low support run." You are not required to register and can just turn up on the day at any of the starting locations. We do ask you to sign on at your starting location and when you finish, just so that we know that everyone has got home safely. As a low support run, there will be no marshals out on the roads and participants are asked to ensure that they follow road traffic rules at all times, taking particular care on the busy road crossings. 

Finishing at Brighton Beach

The actual George Driscoll Sea to Summit Trail actually finishes at Kingston Park but for the Summit to Sea we choose to run the extra 2km to finish at Brighton Jetty. We reckon it is worth the extra 2km run along the beach just to access the sea showers and the numerous Jetty Rd cafes for that post run coffee or well earned brunch. As you finish record your own time at the finisher’s table so we can record all finishers on the SARRC website.

Transport to the three start locations.

A number of minibuses have been booked to take runners from Brighton to the Mt Lofty summit. Tickets cost $10.00.

Buses will leave from Brighton Jetty at the following times:

6.00am sharp - Mt Lofty Summit for a 7:00am start (34km)

7.15am sharp - Apex Park, Hawthorndene for an 8.00am start (18.5km)

7:45am sharp - Gorge Rd, Bellevue Heights for an 8.30 start. (14km)

You need to book and pay for bus tickets online. Tickets will close off on 8.00am on Thursday 3 January, 2013.

The buses will leave from The Esplanade, just north of Brighton Jetty. There should be adequate street parking at that time of the day for people leaving their cars.

If you are driving directly to the Summit, be aware that you will need $2 to park your car in the car park located at the Mt Lofty Summit. We will ensure that the gate is open from 5.30am.

The Course – maps and garmin route.

The iconic George Driscoll Sea to Summit Trail descends from the Mt Lofty Summit through Cleland Conservation Park, Belair National Park, Sturt Gorge Conservation Park and O'Halloran Hill Recreation Park to the Kingston Park beach. Traversing bush tracks and suburban streets, this unique trail is one of Adelaide's iconic trail runs.  It was plotted in 1996 by South Australian trail guru, George Driscoll (1936 - 2007) who wanted to find a trail from the sea to the summit that was as "bushy" as possible. The Sea to Summit Trail was officially opened on 5 April, 1998 by world renowned mountain climber and adventurer, Tim McCartney Snape, the first person to climb from sea level to the top of Mount Everest.

The map for the 2013 run is available here. You can also upload the 2013 route to your garmin here.

With road works taking place along Seacombe Rd, it is necessary for us to make some changes to the conventional route. Please check the map to see that we will be following the Flinders University Ring Rd down the hill into Flinders Drive, crossing South Rd near the Flinders Medical Centre. We will then be following the same route (in reverse) as the 2012 Sea to Summit - passed the Kuarna Cultural Centre and onto to Marion Rd. We will join the normal trail in the Peregrine Close park. 

Alternative start locations

8.00am - Apex Park, Hawthorndene (18.5kms)	8.30am Gorge Rd, Bellevue Heights (14.0kms)

Water

Please ensure that you carry your own supply of water. Water will be available along the route but take special care to stay hydrated. 

Toilets

 Belair National Park; Apex Park, Hawthorndene.

PLEASE NOTE: Unfortunately it is not possible for us to access the toilets at the Mt Lofty Summit so you may wish to access the public  toilets at Crafers before heading up to the summit. We will try and get the bus drivers to stop there on the way up to enable people to use the toilets. We have also requested that the toilets at Apex Park, Hawthordene be opened by 7.30am but can't be sure that this will happen. Sorry!

Fire Ban

The run will be cancelled if there is a Catastrophic or Extreme Bushfire warning in the Mt Lofty Ranges District or if weather conditions are such that the health and safety of runners will be put at risk. This is based on the CFS Bushfire warning made at around 4.00pm on Saturday 5 January, 2013. In the event that the run is postponed, this website will be updated at 6.00pm on Saturday 5 January, 2013. 

National Parks

As the trail runs through local National Parks, all participants are asked to observe park rules and regulations, ensuring that other park visitors are in no way put out by the event.

All Welcome

Like all the SARRC Trail runs you do not need to be a member to participate. If you are new to trail running you may want to familiarise yourself with the information provided on the SARRC website here. Everyone is welcome to participate in this event – runners and walkers. Choose the distance that you are comfortable with and be in it!

Can you (or a partner) help with this event?

Whilst this is a low support run we still need some help in organising the event. Please let Terry Cleary know by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you are able to help with marking the course on Saturday 5 January, 2012. Also we need some people to collect names at each of the start locations. Let Terry know if you are available and/or if you have a willing partner who would like to help out on the day.

Questions

Any questions please contact Terry Cleary on 0411 723 677 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

Maps & Notes

Click here for maps and notes

See you Sunday 6 January, 2012
Stay around for a swim and then coffee/brunch...
So bring your cossies and bring a friend.
What better way to begin a great year of running!

The 2013 Sea to Summit to Sea (An unofficial run)

In 2013, a small group of people are having a go at running the Sea to Summit to Sea. They will set off on the evening of Saturday 5 January to get to the summit by 7.00am to start the descent with the main group. This unofficial part of the run is for those who don't like getting up early and want to save $10 on bus fare. The route the group will take is via the linear trail to Athelstone and then by trails across to Mt Lofty via Norton Summit. All up the loop will be about 95kms. The spirit of this run is to do it as a group so it will be as fast as the slowest runner with plenty of breaks. it is all about getting there together! Once we get to Mt Lofty - the speedsters can head off downhill at their own pace.

You can keep up to date with the plans for the Sea to Summit by following the Facebook page here.

For more information about this run contact Terry Cleary at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Don’t forget… Sunday 16 June 2013 The George Driscoll Sea to Summit Run/Walk in partnership with the Friends of the Heysen Trail