The Five Peaks Running Festival 2026 is scheduled for Sunday, April 19, 2026, in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia. This premier trail event takes place on the traditional lands of the Kaurna people, traversing a scenic route from Athelstone to Belair National Park. The Adelaide Hills region has a population of approximately 75,000, with a demographic profile that is 80.5% Australian-born, followed by residents from England (6.8%) and Germany (1.1%). The festival is a major draw for the South Australian trail community, offering a challenging mix of technical single track, open fire trails, and significant elevation gains through the Black Hill and Morialta Conservation Parks.
| Race Category | Distance | Start Time | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ultra Marathon | 58 km | 6am / 7am / 8am | UTMB® & ITRA Points |
| Adelaide Hills 26K | 26 km | Morning Schedule | Trail Medals |
| Short Course | 17 km / 10 km | Morning Schedule | Spectacular Views |
Course Highlights and Challenges
The flagship 58 km course follows the well-known Yurrebilla Trail but adds specialized diversions, including a climb to the Mount Lofty Summit and a passage through the "disco tunnel" in Belair National Park. Runners will pass through historic ruins and townships, gaining massive vertical gain across more than five distinct hills. For those seeking competitive honors, the 8:00 AM wave is the designated start for overall prize eligibility. The event is professionally supported with experienced volunteer crews, multiple drink stations, and nutrition hubs, including the festival's famous brownies at the finish line.
Registration and Fees
Standard registration is currently open until April 16, 2026. The 58 km Ultra is priced at A$144.00</strong>, while the 26 km and 17 km distances are available for <strong>A$104.00 and A$79.00</strong> respectively. The 10 km introductory trail route is <strong>A$63.00. All fees are inclusive of mandatory charges. Trail Running SA members are also eligible for a random prize draw held during the event. To date, 310 participants have registered to tackle the peaks.
Logistics and Contact
The finishing hub is located at Belair National Park on Upper Sturt Road. To assist with the point-to-point nature of the longer courses, a shuttle bus service is provided to transport runners to their respective start lines from central Adelaide (approx. 40 minutes away). For those looking to officialize their trail running status, this event is a certified UTMB® Index and ITRA points race. For further information on course markers or transfer policies, event organizers at Trail Running SA can be contacted via their official website.
Apr 19, 2026
Distance — 10km
Type — Running
06:00
$53.00
Apr 19, 2026
Distance — 17km
Type — Running
06:00
$69.00
Apr 19, 2026
Distance — 26km
Type — Running
06:00
$94.00
Apr 19, 2026
Distance — 58km
Type — Running
06:00
$134.00
Apr 19, 2026
Distance — 58km
Type — Running
06:00
$134.00
Apr 19, 2026
Distance — 58km
Type — Running
06:00
$134.00
These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for April in Belair.
Learn more about the host city, Belair.
Belair is a suburb in the south eastern foothills of Adelaide, South Australia at the base of the Mount Lofty Ranges.
Read more launchWatch highlights and course previews from previous years.
Explore other exciting events happening in this same region.
location_on Semaphore South, South Australia, AU
calendar_today Apr 05, 2026
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