Event Overview
Cleland National Park is a Trail Running SA event held on Sunday 6 September 2026 in the Adelaide Hills, with the start accessed from Mt Lofty Summit Road. The program offers Long (21km), Medium (16km), Short (10km) and a Kids option (1.5km). The event sits within Cleland National Park and is described by the organiser as a traditional fixture on their calendar, with multiple on-course drink stations and a defined course-closure time.
What the Course Demands
This course is described as distinctly hilly, and the published elevation totals reinforce that the climbing is a major factor across all adult distances. Expect sustained effort on the ups, followed by technical pacing decisions on the downhills to protect legs for the later stages. With cut-offs and course-closure rules in place, athletes benefit from steady progress between drink stations and an execution plan that accounts for the cumulative elevation rather than distance alone.
Who This Event Suits Best
Cleland suits runners who want a hilly trail challenge close to Adelaide and prefer well-structured event operations with aid stations and enforced timing rules. The 10km option can work for newer trail runners or walkers (short course only), while the 16km and 21km routes are better for athletes comfortable managing longer climbs and sustained effort. The kids run provides a family-friendly add-on alongside the main races.
