South Australian Road Runners Club | Yurrebilla Trail Ultra

The Yurrebilla Trail is one of Adelaide's treasures. The trail winds its way through a series of national parks and conservation reserves under the Mt Lofty summit, as it makes its way across the western face of the Adelaide Hills. Never more than 18 km from the centre of Adelaide, the trail offers stunning views, amazing gorges, waterfalls, wildlife and wildflowers. Commencing at Belair Railway Station in the south, the trail climbs 1865 metres and descends 2060 metres before it reaches its destination at Ambers Gully, Athelstone. Runners are required to run on only a few roads which connect the end of one bush track to the start of another trail.

The Yurrebilla Trail 56km Ultra is an ideal event for all comers. It is not only for those people who want to race hard, it is also a great event for people who are new to ultramarathons and want to see if they have what it takes. 23 runners made it home in 2007; in 2008 there were 39 finishers, and 102 in 2009. Several of these runners had never previously run further than a half marathon. The focus of the event is on supporting runners of all abilities to complete the 56km trail with ten refreshment and support stops, including morning tea and lunch, provided along the route. The closeness of the trail to services by way of access roads and fire tracks also guarantees runner safety, without lessening in any way the experience of a unique bush trail.

Runners may choose to run in groups rather than run the trail on their own. There is a choice of three start times, Group C at 06.30, Group B at 07.30 and Group A at 08.30 based on their expected completion time. This arrangement means that every runner gets to see every other runner in the field, with the slower runners cheering the faster runners as they run by.

Unlike other events with strict entry criteria, the Yurrebilla Trail 56km Ultra leaves it up to runners to know if they are ready. Runners will need to be able to complete the trail within 11 hours, by 17.30 (5.30 p.m.), to ensure that they finish in daylight. In 2008 and 2009, most participants took between 8 hours and 9 hours 30 minutes, with the winner home around in just under 5 hours 30 minutes. Runners will need to have left the final support stop (50kms) by 16.15 (4.15pm) to ensure they complete the final 6 kms by 5.30pm.

A particular invitation is extended to interstate and overseas runners. Why not fly into Adelaide in time for the pasta party on the Friday night, see the sights of Adelaide on the Saturday as you rest for the run, enjoy the post-run meal at Athelstone Football Club on the Sunday night, and fly home early Monday morning in time for work! Getting to the start or finish from your city hotel is only a 25 minute drive! Or stay in one of the caravan parks located only 5 or 10 minutes from the start. And if you have more time to spare, combine the run with an extended stay and enjoy the best that South Australia has to offer with day tours to the McLaren Vale, Barossa and Clare Valleys; Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu Pensinsula or even Kangaroo Island.

More information on the Yurrebilla Trail can be found on the National Parks and Wildlife South Australia website, and the South Australia Trails website.

If you have any further questions about this event, email the race director, David Close.

There’s only one thing worse than running Yurrebilla…….not running it!”

For the latest news and information on Training Runs, click here

For details of Yurrebilla Trail 56km Ultra Training Runs

Yurrebilla Downloads
2009 Results
2009 Photo's
2009 Report by Peter "Chilliman" Mullins
The 2009 Yurrebilla 56km Ultra Handbook
Yurrebilla Merchandise
Yurrebilla Trail Notes
Entrants and Statistics for 2007 and 2008
2008 Race Report by David Close
Yurrebilla Trail Elevation Profile

Detailed Maps:
Map 1 - Belair to Brownhill Creek
Map 2 - Brownhill Creek to Eagle on the Hill
Map 3 - Eagle on the Hill to Greenhill Rd
Map 4 - Greenhill Rd to Norton Summit
Map 5 - Norton Summit to Blackhill
Map 6 - Blackhill to Ambers Gully