Thursday 13 August 2026
| All day | Competitors arrive and airport shuttle operates |
| 4:30pm | Mapping app help session – at the Mercure |
| 5:00pm – 6:00pm | Happy Hour drinks and chance to chat with the Race Director – at Mercure Alice Springs |
| 6:30pm onwards | Dinner and drinks available at Mercure Alice Springs (user pays – bookings recommended) |
| That night | Recommended accommodation is at The Mercure or Discovery Parks Alice Springs |
Friday 14 August 2026
| All morning | Competitors arrive and airport shuttle operates |
| 11:00am – 3:00pm | Registration at The Mercure |
| 3:00pm | Race Briefing and Official Welcome at The Mercure |
| 4:30pm / 4:40pm | Malbunka buses collect runners from Discovery Parks / the Mercure and go to the start line at the Telegraph Station |
| 5:20pm / 5:30pm | Namatjira buses collect runners from Discovery Parks / the Mercure and go to the start line at the Telegraph Station |
| 5:20pm | Malbunka START: Stage 1 – Old Telegraph Station |
| 6:10pm | Namatjira START: Stage 1 – Old Telegraph Station |
| 7:30pm / 8:30pm | Buses ferry runners from the finish line at the Mercure to Discovery Parks |
| That night | Recommended accommodation is at Mercure or Discovery Parks Alice Springs |
Saturday 15 August 2026
| 5:40am / 5:50am | Malbunka buses depart Mercure & Discovery Parks to the start lines |
| 6:20am / 6:30am | Namatjira buses depart Mercure & Discovery Parks to the start lines |
| 6:40am | START: Malbunka Stage 2 – Simpsons Gap |
| 8:00am | START: Namatjira Stage 2 – Standley Chasm |
| 1:30pm onwards | Buses depart Standley Chasm (finish line) to return runners to Alice Springs |
| That night | Recommended accommodation is at The Mercure or Discovery Parks |
| 6:30pm onwards | Event BBQ dinner at The Mercure followed by Presentations for Stage 1 and 2 |
Sunday 16 August 2026
| 5:35am / 5:45am | Namatjira Buses depart Mercure & Discovery Parks to the start lines (‘slower-half’ of the field). |
| 6:00am / 6:10am | Malbunka Buses depart Mercure & Discovery Parks to the start lines (all Malbunka runners) |
| 6:50am / 7:00am | Namatjira Buses depart Mercure & Discovery Parks to the start lines (‘faster-half’ of the field). |
| 7:20am | START: Malbunka Stage 3 – Birthday Waterhole turn-off |
| 7:30am | START: Namatjira Stage 3 – Birthday Waterhole Rd (slower half of field) |
| 8:50am | START: Namatjira Stage 3 – Birthday Waterhole Rd (faster half of field) |
| 1:00pm onwards | Shuttle buses operate to take runners from Standley Chasm (finish line) to The Mercure & Discovery Parks |
| 7:00pm | Presentations for Stage 3 on the grass at the Mercure (and online) |
| That night | Recommended accommodation is at The Mercure or Discovery Parks Alice Springs |
Monday 17 August 2026
| 5:00am / 5:10am | Malbunka buses depart Mercure & Discovery Parks to the start line |
| 5:40am / 5:50am | Namatjira buses depart Mercure & Discovery Parks to the start line |
| 7:00am | START: Malbunka Stage 4 – Ochre Pits |
| 7:30am | START: Namatjira Stage 4 – Counts Point turn-off |
| FINISH LINE: Ellery Creek – Gaps Kitchen Menu (bring cash!) | |
| 1:00pm onwards | Shuttle buses depart Ellery Creek Big Hole (finish line) to take runners back to Alice Springs – Mercure & Discovery Park |
| 6:00pm | Official Event Presentation dinner at The Mercure |
| That night | Recommended accommodation is at The Mercure or Discovery Parks Alice Springs |
*Please note start times may change pending final bus arrangements and weather conditions (earlier if it is hotter)
Tuesday 18 August 2026 – rest day ! / departure day 🙁
Competitors depart or embark on further exploration of Australia’s Red Centre.
Airport shuttles operate taking people back to the airport.
“My mind has been blown. The run was bloody amazing…it has changed my life... I’ve never done a trail run before and it was out of this world!” – 2023 participant
SOCIAL SCHEDULE
Connecting with other runners and having a great time away from the trails is just as important as taking in the views. Here is a summary of the social side of the event that is open to everyone (runners and supporters). Book tickets to the dinners via the merchandise store HERE>>
Thursday 13 August
- 5:00pm – 6:00pm – Happy Hour at Mercure Alice Springs Resort. Come and meet the Race Director for a chat to ask any questions you may have
Friday 14 August
- 3:00pm – Official Welcome and Race Briefing at Mercure Alice Springs Resort garden
- 7:30pm onwards – food available from the Mercure buffet (user pays)
Saturday 15 August
- From 6:30pm BBQ Dinner at Mercure Alice Springs Resort garden
- 7:00pm. Stage 1 and 2 presentations will be conducted at the same spot.
Sunday 16 August
- Competitors make their own dinner arrangements. We will suggest a variety of restaurants and eating places nearer the event
- 7:00pm – Stage 3 presentations will be conducted at the Mercure and online here.
Monday 17 August
6:00pm – Final Event Presentations and Dinner at the Mercure
“I loved the opportunity to experience the outback with a bunch of like-minded people and make friends from all over Australia” Rebecca – 2025 participant
