Federation Ultra Trail 2025
For the love of running….
2024 Competitor Handbook (Version I)
Sunday August 10th 2025 will see the 8th running of the Federation Ultra Trail
Ultra 54km - Long 35km - Mid 26km - Short 10km - Zoo 5km - Relay Teams
Entries close Friday 1st August 2025 20:00pm
Born from a sense of adventure a love of trail running and for exploring our own backyard, the inaugural Federation Ultra Trail was held in 2018. The course traverses or loops from the southern end of the Lavender/Federation Trail from Monarto Safari Park to the riverside trail head at Sturt Reserve in Murray Bridge.
All Zoo 5km, Short (10km), Mid course (26km), Long (35km), Ultra course (56km) runners and all relay team members are treated to exclusive access to Monarto Safari Parks walking trails that allow them glimpses of roaming Wild African animals including Meerkats, Giraffe, Bison, Chimpanzees, Lions and Rhinos. Proceeds from the event have raised in excess of $35,000, donated to Monarto Safari Park to help protect endangered species.
In 2019, the Federation Ultra Trail was proud to be a part of the first S.A. Five 50’s Ultra series; where runners take on the mammoth challenge of completing 5 of S.A.’s Trail Ultras; which is now in it’s 6th year.
Click image for Fed Ultra Video
Fed Ultra (56km) starts at: Monarto Safari Park (18+) $99 Super Early Bird
Fed Ultra (54km) course starts Monarto Safari Park
Finishes at: Sturt Reserve Murray Bridge (18+) $99 (Super Early Bird until Jan 1)
MAP: Alltrails (54km) Strava (2024 )
Entry Limits: 150
MASS START:
07:30am: CUT OFF PACE is 12m p/km
Toilets will be open at Sturt Reserve and at the Monarto Safari Park. as well as at AS 2 and AS 4
Aid stations 5k/11.5k/21k/25k/33k/39k/47k Drop bag available at AS2 (12k/26k) and AS4 (34k) (Label with name and bib number)
Parking at Sturt Reserve: please book bus to Monarto Safari Park $15 see online store
Bus departs Sturt Reserve at 06:55am
Bib Pick up at finish line/Bus from 06:15AM or night before at Bridgeport Hotel 4-6pm main lounge. Runners not using bus can pick up bibs from 07:00am at Monarto Zoo
4-Person Relay Teams ($250 per team)
Relay Handbook 2024 version 1
Relay Legs: see relay handbook above
All runners join as one and run the final 3 km together as a team.
Fed Long (35km) course starts Monarto Safari Park
Finishes at: Sturt Reserve Murray Bridge (18+) $85 (Super Early Bird until Jan 1)
MAP: Alltrails (35km) Strava (2024 )
Entry Limits: 150
MASS START:
08:20am: CUT OFF PACE is 12m p/km
Toilets will be open at Sturt Reserve and at the Monarto Safari Park. as well as at AS 2 and AS 4
Aid stations 5k/14k/20k/28k/ Drop bag available at AS4 (14k) and AS5 (20k/28k) (Label with name and bib number)
Parking at Sturt Reserve: please book bus to Monarto Safari Park $15 see online store
Bus departs Sturt Reserve at 07:45am
Bib Pick up at finish line/Bus from 06:15AM or night before at Bridgeport Hotel 4-6pm main lounge. Runners not using bus can pick up bibs from 07:00am at Monarto Zoo
Fed Mid (26km) Starts at 09:00am @ Monarto Safari Park (13+)
$70 (Super Early Bird unti Jan 1)
Entry Limits: 180. (price now includes bus ticket to start line for the first 96 runners)
Alltrails Map (26km) (Strava 2024 Map)
Cut off pace/time: 12min kms through the zoo, 14 min thereafter. Cut off pace/time: 13min p/km.
Note: The Fed Mid 26km run starts at Monarto Safari Park. Bus departs the finish line at Sturt Reserve Community Club Car-Park at 08:25am (You finish where your car is next to finish line…) Please note price change includes bus ticket to start line. (first 96 registrations only) No need to book a seat, please let us know if you do not require a ride to start line at registration.
Toilets will be open at Sturt Reserve and at the Monarto Safari Park. Aid stations 5k/14k/20k. Drop bag available at approx 14km (Label with name and bib number)
Bus departs Sturt Reserve at 08:25am
Fed Short (10km) Starts at 07:45am @ Monarto Safari Park $45 (Super Early Bird until Jan 1))
Entry Limits: 150 runners - walkers please note 2 hour cut off, short course applies if behind pace at 3km and directed onto 6k course
Cut off pace/time:12 min kms through the zoo. otherwise particpants will be shortcoursed to 5.8km walk course.
Note: The Fed Short (10km) run starts and finishes at Monarto Safari Park and is a loop course which also finishes at the Start Line.
Toilets will be open at Monarto Safari Park. Aid station and toilets are at approx 4.7km outside the Old Visitor (outpost) centre. Spectators are welcome free of charge at the new visitor centre at the Start/Finish Line
Zoo Five (5.8km) Starts at 08:00am @ Monarto Safari Park $35 (Super Early Bird)
Entry Limits: 100 participants
AllTrails Map (Strava Version 2024)
Cut off pace/time: 12 min kms through the zoo. (Steady Walking Pace)
Note: The Fed Five (5.8km) run/walk starts and finishes at Monarto Safari Park and is a loop course which also finishes at the Start Line. There are no Finishers medals in this distance.
Toilets will be open at Monarto Safari Park. water fountain and toilets are at approx 2km outside the Boma Rhino bus station and enclosure. Spectators are welcome free of charge at the new visitor centre at the Start/Finish Line. We are a cup free event, please bring your own hydration device.
Course Services:
There will be a number of Aid stations located on the course. Water, hydration powder and race snacks available. Mobile first aid stations will be on hand to treat runners as required. Bag Drops services will also be available. (Finish Line, Aid Station 2&4 Timing will again be onetime electronic timing system, which will improve runner safety, spectator interaction with estimated finish times taken from splits and a better overall race day experience!
Suggested Gear List:
All entrants should carry their own basic first aid (snake bandage), emergency food portion, space blanket, smart phone (preferably Telstra) and hydration device with 1 litre capacity.
A thermal top layer if required, either to be worn or carried as a spare, we recommend https://iomerino.com/collections/mmi.
No cups enroute.
Bring a windproof/waterproof jacket, there are open and exposed areas on course and you could be thankful for it.
Course markings will include already established Lav/Fed trail markers, blue and white MMI Arrows and Red and white course tape markers.
Bag carrying service will be available; bags must clearly be marked with your bib number.
Bus Service:
A bus will pick up starters from near the finish line at Sturt Reserve by the community club approx. 35mins before your start time. Travel time is 15 mins.
Fed Ultra (55km) bus boarding at 06:45am departs at 06:55am sharp, Arrives 07:15am ($15)
Fed Mid (26km) bus boarding at 08:15am departs at 08:25am, sharp, Arrives 08:40am
(25km included in entry fee this year for the first 96 entries
Finish Line:
The finish line this year is back again River side at Sturt Resereve by the rowing club in Murray Bridge. Upon arrival there will be a finishers line, Fed Ultra 56km and Fed Mid 26km finishers Medal and chocolate, your bags/gear and left over race snacks. Hot food will be available from the community club and 1924 restaurant. Coffee from Hugos Coffee Van
Merchandise:
Fed Ultra Trucker Caps $25
Contact Details:
MMI Events Race Director Morgan Coull 0431 638 721 morgan.coull@gmail.com
Federation Ultra Trail Partners:
We would like to give a big thank you to our event partners (below) for coming on board this year.
