Summit to Sea

The  2012  Summit to Sea
"Close encounters of the David kind"

Summit to Sea Finishers are here.

RESCHEDULED for 7.00am Sunday 8th January, 2012
Mt Lofty Summit to Brighton Jetty
34km, 18.5km and 14kms options

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

 

 

It’s back on again…!  After the successful running of the first Adelaide Summit to Sea Trail Run in 2010, we are pleased to invite you to join in the “2012 Summit to Sea” Trail 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.

In fact this is the fourth year that SARRC runners and walkers will be out on the George Driscoll Sea to Summit Trail. In January 2009 over 70 people ran from Kingston Park to the Mt Lofty summit in the inaugural Sea to Summit. The event was such a success, it was added to the 2010 SARRC Calendar in early September as a lead up to the Yurrebilla Trail 56km Ultra. In 2012 the George Driscoll Sea to Summit Trail run/walk will be held on Sunday 10 June.

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.

 

Starting Locations and starting times.
7.00am - Mt Lofty Summit (34kms)
8.00am - Apex Park, Hawthorndene (18.5kms)
8.30am Gorge Rd, Bellevue Heights – (14.0kms)

2012 "Close encounters of the David kind"
In 2009 we began a tradition of honouring a local legend by inviting participants to run with the “Postie that Runs”, the legendary Kym Williams. In January 2010 we invited runners to partake in a "Dash of Chilli" with the not so local trail runner extraordinaire and downhill specialist, Peter "Chilliman" Mullins. in 2011, we invited participants to "do it with Doug!' except Doug was injured onthe day and so even though we did it with Doug. Doug didn't do it with us!

In 2012 we honour another youthful runner, David Close. A former SARRC Board member and the current chair of the Club's Event Management Committee. David is one of those people who just gives and gives and gives. And 2012 sees him once again tirelessly taking on race direction of one of the club's major events, the Athlete's Foot Greenbelt Half Marathon.

But it's trail running that is David's real passion. David was away  for the running of the first Yurrebilla Trail 56km Ultra in November 2007, so together with John Glowik, he put a proposal to the Board for it be be adopted as an annual event - just so he could run it. And run he did, not only as Race Director but as a participant, running all the way to the top of Black Hill without stopping, a feat accomplished by very few. David directed the event again in 2009 and 2010.

This year, becoming more and more disillusioned with running on roads, David set about instigating regular weekly Sunday morning trail runs. So Sunday mornings see a regular group of 20 - 30 runners somewhere out running up and down Mount Lofty Ranges.

There are a few people who have given more than David Close. The South Australian Trail Running community owes him heaps. David Close, we salute you!

 

 

 
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
In previous the event will finish at Brighton Jetty, adding an extra 2kms to the official George Driscoll Sea to Summit Trail. 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 Summit Start.
A number of minibuses have been booked to take runners from Brighton to the Mt Lofty summit. Buses will leave from Brighton at 6.00am sharp and will cost $10 a ticket. Due to the limited number of seats you need to book a seat in advance by emailing Terry Cleary,  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Seats will be allocated on a first come first serve basis. And to ensure we don’t go broke, if you book a seat you will be obligated to pay for it even if you do not end up running up on the day. Terry will advise by return email if you have been successful in getting a seat. Bus bookings close off on 9.00am on Thursday 29th December.

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.

At this stage we have not booked any buses to the 18.5kms and 14.0 kms starts. If there is enough demand for these buses we will attempt to make arrangements. Buses would leave Brighton an hour before each start time at 7.00 am and 7.30am. Please let Terry know if you are interested in such options. If you wish to put your name down for a bus booking to the 18.5km and 14km starts, email Terry, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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 6.30am.

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 2012 run is available here here

You can also upload the route to your garmin at http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?field=bfbkncmjtcugzowh

 

Alternative start locations

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

 

Water.
There are adequate opportunities for accessing water along the way so runners shouldn't have to carry too much. Water will be available at Belair National Park; Apex Park, Hawthorndene; Bushland Rd, Bellevue Heights; Shell Petrol Station, South Rd; Park along Gully Rd, Seacliff Park.

Toilets.
Belair National Park; Apex Park, Hawthorndene; Shell Petrol Station & McDonalds, South Rd.

Fire Ban.
The run will be cancelled if there is a day of Total Fire Ban in the Mt Lofty Ranges District or if weather conditions are such that the health and safety of runners will be put at risk. In such an event an email will be sent out through the trail running email list on the day before the run or sooner.

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 at:
http://www.sarrc.asn.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=9&Itemid=26
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 the Saturday New Year’s Day afternoon (1 January, 2011). 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.

See you Monday 2nd 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!

 

Maps & Notes
Click here for maps and notes

P.S. Don’t forget… Sunday 10 June 2012 The George Driscoll Sea to Summit Run/Walk in partnership with the Friends of the Heysen Trail

If you have any questions or queries, contact Terry Cleary 0411 723 677 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Click here to view 2012 Trail Calendar of Events

2011 - Result Terry Cleary's Race Report
2010 - Result Terry Clearly's Race Report Peter "Chilliman" Mullins Race Report