Lace up your runners and make tracks to the 138th Bay Sheffield Carnival
Glenelg’s Colley Reserve will become the ultimate stage for one of South Australia’s most iconic sporting events between Christmas and New Year. The two-day Bay Sheffield is packed with speed, endurance, and classic Aussie competition.
With the starter’s pistol primed for Saturday afternoon (December 28), this carnival is a mix of athletic excellence and South Aussie tradition. Free for spectators and perfect for families, it’s an event where everyone can get in on the action.
Athletes from around Australia will compete in junior, open-aged, and veteran’s events over distances from 70m to 3200m. And with each race handicapped, the competition will be tight, and the finishes nail-biting. With a uniquely shaped track, the crowd of thousands creates an incredible atmosphere for every competitor.
Saturday features the highly anticipated 70m sprint finale, celebrating its 100th run. As the final event of day one, the race is a fast-paced, thrilling showdown set under the lights of Colley Reserve. With a festival atmosphere and live music, the twilight program adds a modern twist to this historic event.
On Sunday, the big guns take the track with the 120m Bay Sheffields for both men and women, where a massive $16,000 prize pool is up for grabs. The weekend also showcases a range of exciting events, from budding athletes in the children’s races to the 1600m select back markers race, featuring the top 14 distance athletes. The 550m sprints around Colley Reserve’s notorious bends are always a crowd favourite. Sunday wraps up with a full day of edge-of-your-seat action, culminating in the Bay Sheffield motorcade and a parade of past champions at 4:30pm.
The festival feel will be in full swing all weekend, with a swag of food vans serving up local South Aussie favourites, including Vilis, Golden North Ice Cream, and seafood delights from Squid Squad. The Coopers Bar will be on hand to quench your thirst, and Qusion’s will serve up coffee and cocktails to keep you fuelled for an action-packed day of cheering at one of Adelaide’s favourite beachside destinations.
For something extra special, grab the $99 hospitality package for prime finish-line seats in “The Bay” area. You’ll get to kick back with finger food, drinks, and all the action in comfort. You can also start your Sunday in style with a breakfast of champions at the Pier Hotel, where you can hear firsthand from athletes and Hall of Fame inductees.
If you’re travelling to the big smoke and need a place to stay, Durham Street Apartments offers convenient accommodation a stone’s throw from the action, so you won’t miss a minute of excitement.
The Bay Sheffield isn’t just for the city slickers, with past winners hailing from across country South Australia. From Kadina’s Neville Brown, who wore the winning sash in 1942, to the Port Augusta running legends of the ’60s – Brian McLean, Jake Kite, and Ken Hampton, as well as Arthurton’s Brendan Ramsey in 1996. Could we see another country South Aussie take the gong this year?
THE BAY SHEFFIELD
Where: Colley Reserve, Glenelg
When: Saturday 28 & Sunday 29 December 2024
For more information, click here.
