Marion Coastal Walking Trail

AUSTRALIA DAY Saturday 26 January 2013

16km out and back, or turn back at anytime

7am Start from Brighton Jetty.

Everyone is welcome, both Runners and Walkers.

There is no entry fee for this run. Finish with a swim and brunch!

 Meeting Place:
'Start at Brighton Jetty at 7.00 a.m. and run southwards along Esplanade to do the full route of 16 km (or longer if you like). For shorter options start at Kingston Park or Marino. Consult a street directory to see how to get to Kingston Park or Marino. The official route goes along the coast as far as the cafe in the middle of Hallett Cove beach, and back again the same way. There is a map of the Marion Coastal Walking Trail on the official Council website.

Trail Details:
"The Marion Coastal Walking Trail" extends 7.2 km from Marino in the north, to Hallett Headland Reserve in the south. The trail forms a part of the Adelaide Coast Park. Its environment is unique in the metropolitan area, with its rugged cliffs, small coves and a rocky coast. It also features world famous geological formations at Hallett Cove, important sites of remnant coastal vegetation and the significant cultural presence of the Tjilbruke Dreaming."
(Comments and pictures of the trail courtesy of the City of Marion website)

There are also toilet blocks at regular intervals along the whole route.

Good maps and trails details are available in the Marion Coastal Walking Trail Brochure.

Post Run
At the finish, there are public open-air showers along the Esplanade, automated toilets 200 m south of the Jetty (in which you can change), good bathing around the Jetty, and plenty of good cafes on Jetty Rd. Brighton.
The recommended cafe is Prego's on the south side of Jetty Rd, second back from the sea front.

The Run
Last year's run/walk was organised by David Close and attracted over 50 people in perfect St Vincent Gulf weather. It was such a memorable and gentle way to begin Australia Day that we decided we just had to do it again, and again and again...

 
(Poetry below courtesy of The Rocker's "Australia Day" poem, first published on Cool Running, 30 January, 2009)

"We arose in the dark to get to the park
A silly idea of Dave's
The sea looked inviting - the hills less exciting
And staircases ruled the waves"

Alot of the trail is along a specially conducted boardwalk and what someone (Sonya Conrad?) beautifully described as
"stairways of Esher like proportions"

"Metres of board with large steps on the rise,
Posed for Kym an important selection.
Could he prise his eyes from the face-level thighs
Of those from the opposite direction?"

This run is a very casual public holiday sort of run/walk - we don't even ask people to sign on. So if you don't fancy starting from Brighton, wait for the mob to come along at Kingston Park or Marino and join in there. The whole route is close to the sea shore, so you can't get lost.

"With the ocean on one side, the hills a redoubt
Their odds of confusuion were skinnier
They, having set out, couldn't Worley about -
They'll now stick to routes almost linear."

There are toilet blocks at regular intervals along the route.

"With poor comprehension and some apprehension
If she pushed the wrong button in the new fangled loo
She'd make an ascension to another dimension
And a sudden appearance as the next Doctor Who!"

Have a swim after the run then stay around for coffee/brunch in one of the numerous Jetty Rd cafes. It is a great opportunity to meet other trail runners, especially if you are new to the group, and also to reminisce about the Summit to Sea run. David Close's pick is Prego Cafe, 2nd back from the beach on south side of Jetty Rd (Does he have shares in the place?)

"Immersed in the water, it wasn't much fun as
We didn't go out very far
Most swam in their runners - some costumes were stunners
with a contraband budgerigar."

Hope to see you out there on the trail, in the water or in the cafe...


For details contact David Close by  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Terry Cleary by  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on 0411 723 677

Download the Marion Coastal Walking Trail Brochure.