Running Adelaide Routes? Here’s The Guide for You

running clubs and groups

Adelaide is a fantastic city for runners. Not just offering a variety of trails with different attractions, lengths, and difficulties, but also has various running clubs to share the enjoyment of running with others and make good friends along the way.

SA Road Runners Club  

It is a not-for-profit organisation that has been supporting runners in SA for more than 40 years. SA Road Runners Club organises different running events that can serve as an excellent first step if you ever want to start or restart your running habit or want to prepare for a marathon with other like-minded people. They require a reasonable membership fee, which, in return, will give a reduced entry price for SARRC run events. 

Its mission is “to give everyone a reason to run”. How wonderful is that?

Running SA

Running SA features events and facilitates free running groups. The two main groups with several different organised runs throughout the week are WRRN and Adelaide Run Night. 

WRRN, or Women’s Recreational Running Network, is an initiative to encourage women to run while creating a non-threatening environment. Run Night with Running SA is Tuesday evenings between 6 pm and 7 pm. It is not just for runners, but people who just want to walk are always welcome. Both groups are led by experienced coaches and welcome all different levels to sign up and join.

Adelaide Harriers Athletics Club  

While the Adelaide Harriers Athletics Club accommodates a variety of runs, it has a strong focus on long-distance running. With the affiliation with Athletics SA, members have the opportunity to compete at state and national levels but welcome anyone who just wants to keep fit. A reasonable membership fee is required to take advantage of the facilities and coaching.

Adelaide University Athletics Club 

This group is a social running club and is especially suitable for staff and students of Adelaide University, who receive a huge discount of the membership. While it is non-competitive, the club takes part in a few fun runs throughout the year. Generally, the club meets twice per week in North Adelaide, and they have an event timetable on Facebook.

adelaide running events

Adelaide and surrounding areas in SA offer a great variety of runs throughout the year. You can find anything from 4.5km fun runs up to 105km Ultra Marathons. 

Up To 10 Kilometres 

Casual runners may find themselves joining some of these short-distance running events across Adelaide just to bond with friends or enjoy a day of sweating it out.

• Dolphin Run
  Early in the year, SARRC organised the Dolphin Run, a family-friendly 5km or 10km run on the Esplanade bike path in Semaphore. In an effort to include the whole family, children can enter the kids’ race after they announce the winners of the 5km and 10km.
• The Granite Island Run
  You can also participate in the iconic Granite Island, a challenging 5.5km or 10.5km run usually held during the first quarter of the year. If you have been to Granite Island before, you’ll know that the field may include areas of gravel and rock, climbs and tram lines. They do close the horse tram during the race. Should you, for any reason, take longer than two hours, remember that it has the right of way.It is a family-friendly event where kids from the age of six can attend the shorter run while children from the age of 10 can run longer distances in the company of an adult.
• Glenelg Classic
  The last fun run of this kind in the year is usually the Glenelg Classic. It is another SARRC-organised 5km or 10km run. The course follows the beautiful coastline leading south.
• Mother’s Day Classic – Adelaide
  This fun run aims to raise funds for Breast Cancer research and awareness. They usually hold this simultaneously all over Australia. South Australia has four registered events this year, one each in Adelaide, Gawler, Mildura and Mount Gambier. The one in Adelaide offers a few different options to run or walk: 2.1km walk, 4.5km walk, 4.5km run, 7.4km walk, and 7.4km run.

Up To 25 Kilometres

These events are for more skilled runners who purposely train their mind and bodies before joining these long-distance marathons.

• The Bend Half Marathon
  This marathon takes place typically towards the middle of the year at The Bend Grand Prix Circuit. It offers the Half Marathon category but also the 10km and 5km options. For the kids, they also organise a sprint or jogging event.
• The Great Southern Run Fest
  This fun run held in Aldinga Bay towards the middle of the year offers the popular Half Marathon category but also a new 30km and a 5km and, still, the 10km option race. They also invite the kids to have a free run at the beach.
• Federation Ultra Trail
  This event, typically held during the third quarter of the year, offers various distances including 12km, 25km, 50km, 75km, and 100km. Participants will be able to enjoy the event while breezing by the stunning Kinchina Conservation Park, seeing kangaroos and unique rock formations.
• City-Bay Fun Run
  This fun run is arguably one of the most popular Fun Runs in Adelaide, now offering 3km, 6km, 12km and Half Marathon options in September. For a long time, this event tried to motivate everyone to participate in walking or running. With the newly-offered 3km run, they’ve given the whole family the chance to compete in this great event.

Up To 30 Kilometres

These long-distance events are suitable for highly-advanced runners, although there are also some categories created for children of varying age ranges.

• Greenbelt Challenge
  The Greenbelt Challenge in July is a SARRC event. What started as Greenbelt Marathon is now called the Greenbelt Challenge due to the addition of different length courses. There is the 30km course, Half Marathon, 10km, 5km and a kids’ fun run.
• Wild Women on Top Adelaide Coastrek
  This event will be held in Adelaide for the second time in September 2020. It is a fundraising event where each team consists of four members, and at least 50% have to be female. The raised funds go to Beyond Blue Foundation. It is a 30km or 60km track around the Fleurieu Peninsula and is, by no means, just a running event.

Up To 42.2 Kilometres

Prolific runners are the typical participants of these running events. However, the organisers of some of these events have also included children of specific age groups to join corresponding categories.

• Adelaide Marathon
  The Adelaide Marathon is a SARRC event and takes place in late May. Other than the marathon distance, you might want to opt to run the Half Marathon, 10km or 5km race and kids may participate in the Popeye race.
• Tower Trail Run
  This run usually takes place in June in Mount Gambier. Other than the Marathon, runners can also choose between a 56km, 21km, 10.5km and 5km run. Depending on the length of the event, more or lesser loops course around scenic locations of the region.
• Barossa Marathon
  This marathon is a SARRC event and usually held in August. It offers the Half Marathon, 10km and 5km options. It’s a very scenic run through one of the wine regions in SA.

Up To 105 Kilometres

Also for prolific runners, these events are held throughout the scenic routes of Adelaide and neighbouring parts.

• Federation Ultra Trail
  This trail is an excellent run in Monarto, offering 100km distance but also 12km and anything in between, that being 75km, 50km and 25km. This event is typically held in August and provides a unique challenge to increase distances, allowing runners to aim for longer distances every year. Kids can register for free!
• Heysen 105
  The Ultra Runners South Australia organises the Heysen 105. As the name suggests, it’s a 105km run along a part of the beautiful Heysen Trail. There is also a 60km and a 37km option for this event.

explore adelaide by staying fit

South Australia offers a diversity of picturesque trails and runs. Whether it be along the beach, Heysen Trail or through the city, there is almost no limit! We have summarised several selections of different self-guided courses, running clubs to find like-minded people, and organised events. However, this is, by no means, a final list. 

Both Adelaide and South Australia are a paradise for any hiker, walker, fun runner or ultra runner and anyone in between.