“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
Thursday 15 August 2024
All day | Competitors arrive and airport shuttle operates |
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 |
That night | Recommended accommodation is at The Mercure or Discovery Parks Alice Springs |
Friday 16 August 2024
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 |
From 4:30pm | Shuttle buses commence to start line at the Telegraphe Station |
5:30pm | Malbunka START: Stage 1 – Old Telegraph Station |
6:10pm | Namatjira START: Stage 1 – Old Telegraph Station |
That night | Recommended accommodation is at Mercure or Discovery Parks Alice Springs |
Saturday 17 August 2024
5:50am/6:30am | Malbunka / Namatjira buses depart Mercure / Discovery Parks Alice Springs to the start lines |
6:40am | START: Malbunka Stage 2 – Simpsons Gap |
8:00am | START: Namatjira Stage 2 – Standley Chasm |
12:30pm | Buses depart Standley Chasm (finish line) to return runners to Alice Springs |
That night | Recommended accommodation is at The Mercure or Discovery Parks Alice Springs |
6:30pm – 7:30pm | Event BBQ dinner at The Mercure followed by Presentations for Stage 1 and 2 |
Sunday 18 August 2024
5:35am / 5:45am | Competitor Buses depart Mercure / Discovery Parks Alice Springs to the start lines (Namatjira ‘slower-half’ of the field). |
6:00am / 6:10am | Competitor Buses depart Mercure / Discovery Parks Alice Springs to the start lines (Malbunka runners) |
6:50am / 7:00am | Competitor Buses depart Mercure / Discovery Parks Alice Springs to the start lines (Namatjira ‘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) |
from 12:30pm | Shuttle buses operate to take runners from Standley Chasm (finish line) to The Mercure / Discovery Parks Alice Springs |
That night | Recommended accommodation is at The Mercure or Discovery Parks Alice Springs |
Monday 19 August 2024
5:00am | Malbunka bus departs Mercure / Discovery Parks Alice Springs to the start line |
5:45am | Namatjira buses depart Mercure / Discovery Parks Alice Springs to the start line |
7:00am | START: Malbunka Stage 4 – Orche Pits |
7:30am | START: Namatjira Stage 4 – Counts Point turn-off |
1:00pm – 4:15pm | 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 20 August 2024 – departure day
Competitors depart or embark on further exploration of Australia’s Red Centre.
Airport shuttles operate taking people back to the airport.

“This fantastic event challenged me greatly, but also provided so much enjoyment and amazing scenery… I met some amazing people, including the event staff! I still don’t think it has sunk in yet what I achieved… :-)” Afy Afrouz