Heysen Trail Ultra 2026

Event Overview

Heysen Trail Ultra is a point-to-point trail running event in South Australia, scheduled for Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October 2026. The main route runs from Rocky Creek (Kuitpo) to the finish at Heysen Village in Victor Harbor. The weekend program includes single-day options from 13km up to 115km, plus Sunday races including 9km, 22km and a Deep Creek 53km. Multi-day entries combine a Saturday race with a Sunday race.

What the Course Demands

Across the longer courses, the event blends sustained climbing and descending with long stretches between key checkpoints, so pacing and decision-making matter. Published elevation figures show substantial vertical gain for the 115km, 70km, 50km, 42km, 28km and 13km distances, indicating a profile that rewards efficient uphill movement and controlled running on descents. Cut-off times apply at nominated aid stations, and the 115km continues through to Sunday morning.

Who This Event Suits Best

This event suits runners who prefer varied terrain and are comfortable managing effort over long durations, particularly for the 70km and 115km options. The 28km and 42km races suit athletes wanting a longer, more technical day than a typical road event, while the 9km, 13km and kids 2km provide shorter introductions. Multi-day entries are best for runners with experience backing up on consecutive days.

TRAINING GUIDE

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Preparing for This Event

If you are considering this event and want some structure around your preparation, a targeted training plan can help you arrive feeling confident rather than underprepared. The aim is not to train harder, but to train in a way that suits the distance, terrain, and likely conditions of the course.

• 100km Running Training Plan
• 50km Running Training Plan
• Custom Event Training Plan
• Online Ultra Running Coaching

Choosing a plan is optional, but having structure can remove uncertainty and make training easier to repeat week to week. The best option is the one that fits your current fitness, available time, and experience level.