2026 Start List

Timetable

• Master (O35 and O55) women – 6:15
• Masters (O35 and O55) Men – 6:35
• Open C Race – 6:55
• Open B Race – 7:15
• Open A Race – 7:30
• Elite Women – 7:40
• Elite Men – 7:50

Men's Elite Race Preview

Record: Jonathan Harris – 5:59 (2025)

With prizes on offer at the 1 km mark as well as the finish, this year’s men’s elite race is going to be a fascinating tactical battle. Early leaders may be chasing the RunDNA 1km prize which will force the contenders to make a decision: go with the surge and risk paying for it late or sit back and trust their finish over the final few hundred metres. So who are our top contenders:
So who are our top contenders:

Matthew Clarke

Headlining the men’s elite field is Matt Clarke. The four-time national champion and two-time Olympic steeplechaser has called the Uni Loop his home since 2020. The Western Athletic athlete will be the man to beat as he looks retain the title for Team Tempo and to find out just how fast he can Run The Loop.

Adrian Potter

Adrian Potter returns after a runner-up finish in 6:01 last year. With the defending record holder absent, the Adelaide Harriers athlete will be eyeing the 5:59 course record, though alone in this race, the gravel of the Uni Loop is not his home turf and presents a different challenge to his usual home of the southern parklands.

Cooper Giles

Third in 2025, Cooper Giles will look to improve his 6:04 PB. Whether he’s better known for his love of Dairy Farmers chocolate milk or his devastating kick is up for debate; but one thing’s certain, if the Adelaide Uni athlete is still there with 200 m to go, the rest of the field may start to worry.

Arron Nitschke

Expect Arron Nitschke to make it an honest race from the front. The Australian duathlete brings a huge aerobic engine, and while this is his first official Loop race, he knows the course well and we will wait for the moment he decides to roll the dice.

U18 standouts Josh Kavanagh and Tristan Kidd will go head-to-head for junior honours. The only two U18s in this race, they were separated by just three seconds last year and will toe the line knowing exactly what’s required after the rest of the U18 field has already raced earlier in the evening.

Rounding out our elite field are James McManus, Harry McGregor, Casey Atkinson, Joe Cross, Harrison Wade, Zac Connell, and Bailey Giles, all capable of upsetting the favourites and claiming the Uni Loop crown.

Women's Elite Race Preview

This year's edition of the Run The Loop will feature a strong elite ladies' field, with an abundance of national-class junior middle-distance stars.

Record: Caitlin Adams – 6:47 (2025)

Amelia Sheridan

In 2026, 14-year-old Millie doesn’t need a big introduction. A multiple national gold medalist over the 1500/3000m and cross-country events, last year she ran a blistering time (6:52) and was just 5 seconds behind senior national representative Caitlin Adams. Millie continues to improve this year, producing a gun-to-tape national 1500m all schools victory, with a huge PB of 4.22. Not only will she be looking to go one better this year, but it would be no surprise if she covers the gravel loop in under the course record on Friday night!

Tilly Williams

A part of the reason the record will be under threat this year is because of another junior talent, in Tilly Williams. There is zero doubt that Tilly will challenge for the win, with her tenacious attacking running style! Another 14-year-old, Tilly, was 2nd to Millie in the national all schools 1500 (4.28). With great speed, endurance, and running form, Tilly is always one to watch in any event from 800 to 5000m. There’s no doubt that the quality Adelaide Harrier will enjoy the 2.2km distance!

Hannah Tourneur

Last year’s 3rd place getter (7:07) and talented middle distance runner, Hannah, will be out to improve on that result. Dual silver medallist in the 1500/3000m at the recent U18 all schools in December, she has stepped up her training in the past 2 months and will be a shot at the prestigious 7-minute barrier. However, with racing in her blood, if she is given a small sniff after the loop climb (at the mile mark), Hannah has the most devastating kick in the state, and you can not count out this girl until the finish line.

Leni Knowles

Primarily a state league basketballer, Leni has turned heads this season for a few reasons! One, her fluent running form is a standout, and two, her recent silver medal in the U15 girls national All Schools 800m (2.11). Yes, another SA girl in that talented U15 age group. However, Leni brings absolute speed to this field (58s quarter miler) and ever-improving endurance. It would not be a surprise if she’s 20-30 seconds quicker this year than last year (7th in 7:33 in 2025).

Brooke Hines

Dietician by trade, but distance runner by blood! Brooke spent time in the NCAA system and is now back, mixing working life with her running! This season has seen some form return to her. With lifetime PBs of 4:30 for 1500m and 9:40 for 3000m, Brooke will feel at home here on the Uni loop! 29 is far from old, but the Saint’s President brings probably the most racing experience to this field, and she’ll be aiming to push some young ladies off the podium!

These talented girls will be joined by fellow star SA distance athletes: Gracie Sheridan, Eva Flint, India Goodall, Elise Dandie, Lauren Ward, Eden Grant, Maeya Robinson, Sofia Heyward, Hayley Redman, Pia Marschall & Violette Smith.