Welcome to the Run Larapinta Stage Race

Race Dates: 15 – 18 August 2025

Entries will open Monday 28 October, 2024

Welcome to Run Larapinta – an extraordinary trail running experience through the very heart of Australia.

This is a race through a landscape that transcends time, where the tectonic lines of the MacDonnell Ranges stand solid and strong as the Larapinta Trail weaves its route like a magic serpent in the dust. It’s a landscape of boundless beauty that leaves you in awe at every step.

But more impressive than the country we get to experience, it’s the people that make this race really special. Coming from all corners of the nation, of all speeds and specialties – everyone becomes equal out here as we share an experience you’ll never forget. Ever.

“That was an amazing and unbelievable experience for me; I’ve never been here before and I just couldn’t believe how nice (and tough!) it is!“ – Corey Milner (Overall Malbunka Winner 2023)

WHEN:

Friday 15 to Monday 18 August 2025

WHERE:

Larapinta Trail in the MacDonnell Ranges; Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia.

ENTRIES:

Entries for the 2025 event will open on Monday 28 October, 2024. Further communciation will be on this website and our Facebook page as the date nears. 2025 runners and encouraged to be ready to enter as soon as they open so as not to miss out (entries sold out in 4hrs in 2024!).

FIELD LIMIT:

Run Larapinta has a field limit of 200 4-Stage Runners to preserve the experience for all.

THE COURSE:

2024 stages below, 2025 stages will be confirmed shortly!

The Malbunka (long course)*	The Namatjira (short course)
20km – 45km stages	14km – 30km stages
Stage 1: 19.5km around Alice Springs from the Old Telegraph Station to the Mercure Stage 2: 41km from Simpson’s Gap to Standley Chasm Stage 3: 33km Birthday Waterhole turn-off, to Standley Chasm Stage 4: 34km Ochre Pits to Ellery Creek Waterhole	Stage 1: 13.5km around Alice Springs from the Old Telegraph Station to the Mercure Stage 2: 20km Standley Chasm > High Route loop Stage 3:22km Birthday Waterhole to Standley Chasm Stage 4: 27km Counts Point turn off, to Ellery Creek Waterhole
VIEW MALBUNKA DETAILS	VIEW NAMATJIRA DETAILS

*NOTE, the Malbunka course has selected minimum entry requirements and is aimed at trail runners. Walking the entire course each day will NOT meet the cut-offs.

Join us for an unforgettable trail running experiences in Australia’s spectacular Red Centre.

VIDEO INSPIRATION

“Run Larapinta was an amazing way to see a beautiful part of Outback Australia. The trail is tough, but the beauty of the area, its vastness and majesty made every step worthwhile. I feel privileged to have seen a special part of our country and met some lovely people along way.” – Karen, 2019 participant.

“Across mountain ridgelines, through dry sandy river beds and over endlessssss rocks in the heat of the sun – we overcame all these challenges on our way to the finish line! But what was an even greater standout for me was sharing the experience with everyone else. I’ve formed life long friendships for years to come!“
– Mary, 2022 event participant.

2024 EVENT WEEK REVIEW

Stage Results – including GC: View Here >>
Daily Facebook Summary with Images:
- Stage 1
- Stage 2
- Stage 3
- Stage 4
Daily Photos – All: Available Here >>
Post Event News Story: Read Here >>

Rapid Ascent Ultra Running Events

2 days ago

Struth!

It’s been an explosive launch day for the 2025 Margaret River Ultra Marathon.

Here’s some interesting stats from the day:

👉Team entries (80km) event SOLD OUT in 32 minutes 🤯
👉 We’ve already reached a RECORD number of solos in the 80km (over 80% sold out)
👉 There are entrants from as far afield as Singapore (10 people!)
👉 The oldest entrant so far is 73 years old (and he’s running the 80km solo!)
👉 43.5% of entrants are females (let’s pick this up to at least 50% ladies)

Oh, and the best race advice given on an entry form has been:

“𝐶𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑏𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑀𝑅𝑈 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑎 𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑒. ... 𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑑𝑜𝑛'𝑡 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑝𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑖𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑚 𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑒’𝑠 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑠ℎ𝑖𝑟𝑎𝑧 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡.”

(Sound like they're talking from experience. We say if you've run 80km, any wine you can get your hands on is fair game!! 😂😂.)

Thank you all for your continued support. This is going to be a pearler of a MRU!!

There are still entries available in the solo 80km and 42km race… but they’re still moving quick.

So, if you want to join the adventure out west, lock in your spot TONIGHT.

Bring on May 2025!!

TIP: If you missed out on a team spot (sorry!), why not enter the 42km with your mates and run together?! It’s an epic weekend, in the same epic location but you get to experience MORE of it (and more time on the trails together). ... See MoreSee Less

View on Facebook

4 CommentsComment on Facebook

Any advice on what will happen with waitlist entries given there’s such a large entry amount?!

one of the BEST 👌

Well done guys !

Rapid Ascent Ultra Running Events

2 days ago

TEAMS FOR THE 80KM ARE SOLD OUT!

Thank you to all the quick-fingered teams who have managed to secure a spot in the 2025 Margaret River Ultra Marathon within a record-shattering 32 minutes!

We have introduced the following field limits for the different race formats this year and we have now reached the limit for team entries:
– 80km ultra marathon Solo: 400 runners
– 80km Ultra Marathon teams : 250 teams
– 42km trail marathon: 400 runners

Field limits were introduced for the following reasons:

1) 𝐓𝐨 𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬. Running an ultra marathon is a huge accomplishment, for many people it’s a life changing experience that redefines their limits. Running the ultra is also increasing in popularity – so we want to allow more people to pursue this epic goal.

2) 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬! Running 80km solo is a high-investment activity (time, money etc). We think that if you’re willing to put your hand up to run 80km, you should get the chance to run!

3) 𝐓𝐨 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐚 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞. By slightly reducing the number of teams will mean less congestion and easier access to checkpoints and other course areas.

Make no mistake - WE LOVE TEAMS - but we believe the new field limits provide a better balance between solos and teams, reflect current entry trends and will help us provide a better event experience for everyone.

TEAMS CAN STILL ENTER THE WAIT LIST (and team members can join existing teams) and at the time of writing, 𝐒𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐒 𝐂𝐀𝐍 𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐋𝐋 𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝟖𝟎𝐊𝐌 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝟒𝟐𝐊𝐌 𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐄𝐒.

For those who have missed out, our sincere condolences. We are flabbergasted by the excitement and demand surrounding this event. Thank you! ... See MoreSee Less

View on Facebook

7 CommentsComment on Facebook

This is incredible RP team!!!

Bagged a Spot.....pheweeeee 😮‍💨

Misha Cornish is that you?

View more comments

Rapid Ascent Ultra Running Events

2 days ago

Go, go, go!

𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐆𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐓 𝐑𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐔𝐋𝐓𝐑𝐀 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐘 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐍!!
👉 bit.ly/3NnOFI3

Thanks to the beautiful scenery, salt-of-the-earth participants and life-changing challenge it provides – IT WILL SELL OUT! (Last year, the 80km was full within 27 hours of opening).

𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐓?
An adventurous weekend of running with TWO, EPIC, point-to-point trail events (and ~2000+ awesome runners!)
– 𝐓𝐡𝐞 "𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐬" 𝟖𝟎𝐤𝐦 𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐫𝐚 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐧 on Saturday for SOLOS & TEAMS
– 𝐀 𝐓𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇 𝟒𝟐𝐤𝐦 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐧 on Sunday for SOLOS ONLY

𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄?
Margaret River, Western Australia
(Event HQ and both finish lines at the stunning Howard Park Winery).

𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐍?
10-11th May 2025

𝐖𝐇𝐘?
Because there's no greater personal journey than an ultra marathon...

From young, ripped alpha males…

To elite women who can run at mind-bending speed for days on end…

To middle aged men who’ve traded work loafers for trail shoes…

And 60+ year old women who have taken up running post-retirement…

Everyone is equal.

Everyone is welcomed with open arms.

And everyone will experience a life-changing odyssey like no other.

𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐉𝐎𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐘 𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐋𝐒:
👉 bit.ly/3NnOFI3 ... See MoreSee Less

Go, go, go!

𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐆𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐓 𝐑𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐔𝐋𝐓𝐑𝐀 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐘 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐍!!
👉 https://bit.ly/3NnOFI3

Thanks to the beautiful scenery, salt-of-the-earth participants and life-changing challenge it provides – IT WILL SELL OUT! (Last year, the 80km was full within 27 hours of opening).

𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐓?
An adventurous weekend of running with TWO, EPIC, point-to-point trail events (and ~2000+ awesome runners!)
– 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝟖𝟎𝐤𝐦 𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐫𝐚 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐧 on Saturday for SOLOS & TEAMS
– 𝐀 𝐓𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇 𝟒𝟐𝐤𝐦 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐧 on Sunday for SOLOS ONLY

𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄?
Margaret River, Western Australia
(Event HQ and both finish lines at the stunning Howard Park Winery).

𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐍?
10-11th May 2025

𝐖𝐇𝐘?
Because theres no greater personal journey than an ultra marathon...

From young, ripped alpha males…

To elite women who can run at mind-bending speed for days on end…

To middle aged men who’ve traded work loafers for trail shoes…

And 60+ year old women who have taken up running post-retirement…

Everyone is equal.

Everyone is welcomed with open arms.

And everyone will experience a life-changing odyssey like no other.

𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐉𝐎𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐘 𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐋𝐒:
👉 https://bit.ly/3NnOFI3

View on Facebook

21 CommentsComment on Facebook

Ok this is crazy - 409 people entered in the first 8 minutes.

OMG: 193 people entered in the first 5 minutes. (thank you)

Memories of this section. The best climb.

View more comments

Rapid Ascent Ultra Running Events

4 days ago

Get approval from your “better half” and set a reminder on your phone…

𝐎𝐍𝐋𝐘 𝟒𝟖 𝐇𝐑𝐒 𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐋 𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐍 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐆𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐓 𝐑𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐔𝐋𝐓𝐑𝐀 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓!!

As in 2024, the 80km Ultra Marathon will be held on Saturday (10th May) and the newly-popular 42km Trail Marathon will be on Sunday (the 11th).

👉 𝐁𝐨𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬, 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬, 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐥𝐮𝐟𝐟𝐬 on the beautiful Cape to Cape coastline in South West WA…

👉 𝐁𝐨𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 (𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞) 𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐬 of famous surf breaks, iconic wineries and charismatic coastal villages…

👉 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐢𝐧 𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐜 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 for a post-race celebration at Howard Park Winery that’s second to none (live music, a huge variety of food 🍔, wine 🍷, beer 🍻 and endorphin-fuelled conversation! 🎉).

So whether you’re a trail running rookie, or a long distance devotee, DO NOT MISS the 2025 Margaret River Ultra Marathon.

T-minus 2 days and counting…

➡️ bit.ly/3Y2pxfc ... See MoreSee Less

View on Facebook

12 CommentsComment on Facebook

Holly Escott do we need to get permission from the other half? Or just book it?! 🚐

Haha had that conversation today 👍

Damn, it’s on the other side of the world. Awesome countryside to run in.

View more comments

Rapid Ascent Ultra Running Events

7 days ago

THE 2025 MARGARET RIVER ULTRA MARATHON IS COMING!!

Entries for this much-anticipated event OPEN NEXT MONDAY, 14TH OCTOBER @ 9:00am WST.

And, seeing the event sold out in just 27 hours last year (THANK YOU!), we wanted to give you a heads up so you can get your running shoes on and be ready for the sprint to the website next Monday!

Here are the details:

𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄: 10 – 11 May, 2025

𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐒:
– 𝟖𝟎𝐊𝐌 𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐫𝐚 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐧 (solo or relay team of 2 to 5 runners).
– 𝟒𝟐𝐊𝐌 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐧 (solos only)

𝐅𝐈𝐄𝐋𝐃 𝐋𝐈𝐌𝐈𝐓𝐒 (NEW):
80km ultra: 400 solo runners and 250 relay teams
42km marathon: 400 solo runners

Now, a bit of "touchy feely" stuff...

We know a big part of the success of MRU comes down to the awesome people it attract (LIKE YOU!). So – whether you’re running next year or have run in the past – THANK YOU for making it so successful. We're honoured and excited to, once again, have the opportunity to deliver this event to such a positive and life-loving group of runners!

As 2024 runner, Mia, said…

“𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎𝑡𝑚𝑜𝑠𝑝ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑎𝑦 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑒 - 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑔𝑎𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒, 𝑚𝑒𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑜 𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑦 𝑎𝑚𝑎𝑧𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑝𝑒𝑜𝑝𝑙𝑒 𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑢𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑠, 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑓𝑓, 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑟𝑠, 𝑓𝑎𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑠. 𝑊𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝐼 𝑏𝑒 𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑢𝑝 𝑎𝑔𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑛𝑒𝑥𝑡 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟....ℎ𝑒𝑐𝑘 𝑦𝑒𝑠!!!”

To snag your spot on the start line, get organised now and be ready to enter at 9:00am WST on Monday to be part of the big dance down south.

All details and entries here:
bit.ly/3Y2pxfc

Can’t wait to do this again with you all!
The Rapid Ascent Team ... See MoreSee Less

View on Facebook

8 CommentsComment on Facebook

Entries? 🤔

May or may not already have accommodation booked 😆

Unty Frances Banks ❤️💛💚🥳🥳

View more comments

Welcome to Run Larapinta

4 days, 4 stages

An amazing experience

A trail running journey

Uniting camaraderie

A life changing experience

Boundless beauty

Full race support

it's more than a race...