A Runner's Guide: The Top 5 Adelaide Parkruns
Adelaide is home to a stunning city skyline, picturesque parklands, serene beaches, tranquil national parks and of course, a passionate and welcoming community that loves Adelaide parkruns.
Adelaide is a must-run destination – not only to soak in the sights of this buzzing and beautiful Australian capital city that has a history of being ranked one of the most liveable in the world, but to seek inspiration and to connect.
As a fun and free 5km event that can be enjoyed at any pace, parkrun has empowered millions of runners across the globe to nurture their mental health and reconnect with their fitness every Saturday morning.
Join us on a journey to discover 5 of the best parkruns in Adelaide – the Torrens parkrun, Pakapakanthi parkrun, Cleland parkrun, West Beach parkrun and Lochiel parkrun.
No two Adelaide parkruns are the same, but what they do have in common are the encouraging nature of their volunteers, the enthusiasm of their participants and their inclusiveness to support walkers, joggers and runners of all ages and abilities.
Whether you’re seeking a flat, fast experience to crush your PB, a breath-taking adventure in the Adelaide Hills or a coastal stroll with your dog or kids - the Adelaide parkrun community has the parkrun for you.
Torrens parkrun: The first Adelaide parkrun
About the Torrens parkrun & why you'll love it
The air is glowing with smiles at the Torrens parkrun and it’s no secret why many Adelaide locals are proud to call it their home parkrun.
First-time participants often turn into parkrun regulars after visiting the Torrens parkrun – celebrating not only the scenic route but the organisation of the event, the supportive volunteers and welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere that showcases the spirit of Adelaide.
The Torrens parkrun in North Adelaide is the first parkrun in South Australia and is among the most popular. Since the inaugural Torrens parkrun on the 1st of December 2012, the number of participants has grown dramatically. However, this isn’t just because it’s the closest parkrun to Adelaide’s CBD – attracting both locals and tourists.
Every week over 200 or 300 walkers, joggers and runners enjoy the Torrens parkrun as a wholesome, community-driven experience.
Torrens parkrun course
The Torrens parkrun course provides a running tour of the awe-inspiring Adelaide skyline, and starts and finishes at the Torrens Lake Weir. It’s an out-and-back route, meaning you run back the way you came, following the north bank of Adelaide’s River Torrens (called Karrawirra Parri by the Kaurna people).
The river is home to native fauna including birdlife such as black swans, ibis, herons, egrets, Pacific black ducks and wood ducks that you’ll likely spot on your journey. The river path offers a well-maintained course. It passes beneath multiple bridges, providing pockets of well-earned shade and a visually engaging route.
Being paved all the way, the course is pram-friendly and is the home of thousands of 5km PBs, allowing runners to flow into a smooth stride.
A friendly and encouraging volunteer is posted at the turnaround point at the 2.5km mark – making the course virtually impossible to get lost on. This also means you’ll be running side-by-side with runners going the opposite direction that are leading the pack for an inspiring run.
For more information and a course map, check out the official Torrens Parkrun course page.
Torrens parkrun: Need-to-know & other tips
Listen out for any course changes as engineering works have resulted in a course shift away from the usual ‘Zoo Route’ in the past.
With the river path being shared by cyclists and walkers, it’s important to respect other path users and give way to ensure a safe and positive experience for everyone.
Staying honest to parkrun tradition, every participant is invited to meet up for a coffee and a friendly chat at Plant 4 Bowden post-run to kick-start your weekend.
For detailed information on the start time, location and more, check out the official Torrens parkrun page.
Pakapakanthi parkrun / Victoria Park parkrun: The flat Adelaide parkrun
About the Pakapakanthi parkrun & why you'll love it
The Pakapakanthi parkrun is located among the lush greenery of Victoria Park - an urban retreat with bird song adding a tranquil soundtrack to the thump-thump of running shoes. The well-maintained parklands are also home to majestic, towering eucalypts – providing an enchanting setting for both chasing your PB or a post-run picnic.
Launched on the 4th of August 2018, this flat course attracts a variety of runners (kids and dogs included) – from serious runners with a focus on achieving a fast finishing time, to walkers soaking in the beautiful scenery.
Pakapakanthi parkrun course
The Pakapakanthi parkrun is a flat, out-and-back route, starting and finishing from the north-west corner of the park off Wakefield Road. A combination of sealed paths and gravel paths adds variation to the terrain beneath your feet and sections of wider, open paths help accommodate a larger number of runners.
For more information and a course map, check out the official Pakapakanthi parkrun course page.
Pakapakanthi parkrun: Need-to-know & other tips
It’s important to arrive 15 – 20 minutes early so you don’t miss out on the pre-run briefing, as the Pakapakanthi parkrun doesn’t necessarily follow the same route week to week, with an alternative course potentially shaking up the routine.
If you haven’t entirely satisfied your fitness fix by the finish line, you can check out the Sweat Course in Victoria Park. It features 8 fitness stations where you can have some fun conquering everything from step ups to log lifts to hurdles among the relaxing scenery – transforming the outdoors into your personal gym.
Alternatively, you can explore the winding footpaths or walking trails of the Victoria Park Wetlands, or join your fellow runners for a post-parkrun coffee catch up.
For detailed information on the start time, location and more, check out the official Pakapakanthi parkrun page.
Cleland parkrun: The scenic Adelaide trail parkrun
About the Cleland parkrun & why you'll love it
Located in the Adelaide Hills about a 20 minute drive from the city centre, the Cleland parkrun is for nature lovers that love a challenge. It wouldn’t be surprising if this was the #1 South Australian parkrun for highest elevation – and the breath-taking view from the turnaround point certainly suggests that as you overlook the stunning city of Adelaide laid out before you.
You’ll want to leave the running headphones at home to fully appreciate the sounds of nature and the 360-degree serenity that is the Cleland parkrun. No traffic noise – just the pure rhythm of your trail running shoes, and the song of native birdlife. Kangaroos are commonly spotted on the course for a close encounter with wildlife, and on the return, you’re rewarded with views of Adelaide’s magnificent Mount Lofty.
What’s amazing about the Cleland parkrun besides the scenery, is the diversity among the relatively small number of participants. The trail can have a transformative effect – boosting your mood and mental health, gaining perspective (emotionally and literally with the spectacular view), and providing a rejuvenating escape from the non-stop nature of everyday life. This attracts runners from all ages and all walks of life – whether seeking that weekly dose of inspiration or unlocking their desire to become fitter with every hill, every step.
Cleland parkrun course
The Cleland Conservation Park is true trail territory, and as such, gearing up in trail running shoes that can handle dirt trails and stony paths is recommended to enjoy this untamed bushland. The trail itself is well-defined and easily visible, even in areas where it may be speckled with leaves from the eucalypts lining the track.
Needless to say, slopes are a part of the terrain so if you love hill running or a run that can double up as part of your strength training, it’s a parkrun for you. Being an out-and-back course with the same start/finish location of course means that for every downhill, there will be an uphill on your return.
Unfortunately, the hilly nature of the route and rough terrain means it isn’t particularly pram-friendly, although older kids will certainly enjoy the experience of getting close to nature. Just be aware the inclines will be an endurance test for runners of any age. For Cleland parkrunners, intermittent walks or a walking pace is likely to be part of the itinerary to catch your breath – giving you all the more time to soak in the view.
If you want to feel the burn and be captivated by a new perspective, it’s an Adelaide parkrun to top your bucket list.
For more information and a course map, check out the official Cleland parkrun course page.
Cleland parkrun: Need-to-know & other tips
As the Cleland parkrun is located at a national park where dogs are not permitted, this is a dog-free course. For a dog-friendly parkrun that offers stunning scenery in every stride, check out the West Beach parkrun below.
For detailed information on the start time, location and more, check out the official Cleland parkrun page.
West Beach parkrun: The coastal Adelaide parkrun
About the West Beach parkrun & why you'll love it
A short drive from the heart of Adelaide, the seaside suburb of West Beach has an easy-going, family friendly vibe. It’s home to a multitude of parks and playgrounds for little athletes, and experiences for grown-ups – from swimming and paddleboarding to enjoying the plethora of cafes and restaurants, not to mention ice cream parlours with an ocean view.
On their own, these qualities offer a winning formula to make West Beach a worthy destination for a parkrun. Team them up with the heart-warming support of its volunteers and beach community, and West Beach parkrun truly is an emotionally nourishing experience.
The West Beach parkrun course
Although beach is in the name you won’t be running on sand, so you don’t have to worry about any pesky granules getting trapped in your best running shoes. The easy-to-run esplanade offers a flat, paved course, making West Beach parkrun easily accessible for prams and participants of any fitness level to get their weekly parkrun fix.
Fitness and fresh ocean air for the whole family, the West Beach parkrun follows the coastline. It kicks off on the southern end of Harold and Cynthia Anderson Reserve, running north to cross Seaview Road Pedestrian Bridge then immediately turning right to follow the esplanade. You’ll proceed in the direction of Henley square, until hitting the turnaround point and heading south. Following in your footsteps, you’ll pass the starting line to progress a further 200m where a turnaround point directs you back to the finish line.
For more information and a course map, check out the official West Beach parkrun course page.
West Beach parkrun: Need-to-know & other tips
Being along the coastline, you may be exposed to windy conditions so rug up with Sportitude’s layering tips. With the ocean virtually at your fingertips the entire run, the West Beach parkrun offers a refreshing way to cool off for those runners enthusiastic to take a dip.
Runners are encouraged to enjoy a post-parkrun coffee at the West Beach Surf Lifesaving Club – the ideal atmosphere to socialise while spotting pelicans and soaking in the seaside.
For detailed information on the start time, location and more, check out the official West Beach parkrun page.
Lochiel parkrun: The hilly riverside Adelaide parkrun
About the Lochiel parkrun & why you'll love it
The Lochiel parkrun at Campbelltown is so much more than a group run – it’s a celebration of community. With its warm, social atmosphere and caring volunteers that never forget to pack their biggest smiles to this event, you’ll feel supported and encouraged in every stride. First-timers' anxiety is immediately put at ease, and the exceptional organisation from the volunteers compliments the friendly vibes.
Inclusiveness is the backbone of this parkrun, with diversity being encouraged and celebrated. Alongside the Easter Bunny making a special appearance, the Lochiel parkrun course has been visited by elite athletes. If you run the Lochiel parkrun, you’ll be following in the footsteps of inspirational marathoner and Commonwealth Games gold-medallist Jessica Stenson.
History was made at the Lochiel parkrun, when Adelaide-based runner Caitlin Adams, who trains alongside Jessica Stenson, performed a record-breaking run – finishing the 5km in an incredible 15 minutes and 38 seconds.
This made Caitlin not only the fastest female parkrunner in Australia, but on the entire planet at the time in August, 2021. It was a spectacular accomplishment in its own right, but even more so considering the undulations of the Lochiel parkrun.
The Lochiel parkrun was held for the first time on the 5th of September, 2015, and it has enjoyed rising attendance since Caitlin’s achievement as more runners seek the challenge and beauty of this out-and-back course, welcoming over 200 runners each week.
Lochiel parkrun course
Just on the outskirts of Adelaide, it’s surprising at how quickly city life can be left behind to enjoy a healthy dose of nature at Lochiel parkrun. The Lochiel Park Southern Wetland is the start and finish of the Lochiel parkrun and is home to beautiful birdlife.
Lochiel parkrun runs along the scenic Linear Trail, following River Torrens. The paved path makes it accessible to runners of all abilities, with small, gentle hills providing variation in the terrain without being overly daunting.
You may have to look carefully to spot a koala nestled among the tree tops, but the stunning mosaic blocks on the route can’t be missed - acting as key, permanent markers signifying the starting line and 2.5km turnaround point.
For more information and a course map, check out the official Lochiel parkrun course page.
Lochiel parkrun: Need-to-know & other tips
Upon arriving, make sure you cross the pedestrian O-Bahn bridge from the Geoff Heath Golf Course side to the Lochiel Wetlands side to catch the pre-run briefing and join your fellow runners.
Beyond the finish line, the parkrun party continues at the Geoff Heath Golf Club where you can enjoy a coffee and recover among friendly members of your parkrun family.
While you’re in the neighbourhood, Thorndon Park is well-worth a visit and is the location of South Australia’s first junior parkrun on Sundays.
The historic Thorndon Park reservoir provides a picturesque backdrop for a stroll or family picnic, or you can explore a little further to Morialta Falls for a peaceful bushwalking experience, complete with a trio of majestic waterfalls.
For detailed information on the start time, location and more, check out the official Lochiel parkrun page.
Is your favourite Adelaide parkrun missing from the list? We’d love to hear about it! Contact Sportitude Running and let us know why it’s the best Adelaide parkrun for you.
Happy running, and we’ll see you at parkrun!
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