The August 2021 event schedule is below April’s – click here for quick access
Event Program – Essential Reading
The official Event Program for the Run Larapinta April 2021 Event is now available and is essential reading for all competitors (and supporters) with schedule, course maps, race rules and more.
- View program directly in Issuu here
- Download (and print) a PDF copy here

APRIL EVENT SCHEDULE
The event schedule below is for the April Event Date
Tuesday 20th April 2021
All day | Competitors arrive and airport shuttle operates |
5:00pm – 6:00pm | Happy Hour drinks and chance to chat with the Race Director – at the Crowne Plaza |
6:30pm onwards | Dinner and drinks available at the Crowne Plaza |
That night | Recommended accommodation in Alice Springs |
Wednesday 21st April 2021
All morning | Competitors arrive and airport shuttle operates |
11:00pm – 3:00pm | Registration at the Event Centre and the Crowne Plaza. Note – ALL competitors must register during this time. |
3:00pm | Race briefing and official Welcome to Country |
5:00pm | Malbunka START: Stage 1 – Botanic Gardens |
5:30pm | Namatjira START: Mercure Stage 1 – Near Schwarz Ave |
6:45pm – 8.30pm | Shuttle buses operate to take runners from finish back to Crowne plaza hotel |
That night | Recommended accommodation in Alice Springs |
Thursday 22nd April 2021
5:50am | Competitors’ buses depart Crowne Plaza to the start lines |
6:45am | START: Malbunka Stage 2 – Simpsons Gap |
8:00am | START: Namatjira Stage 2 – Old Hamilton Downs Homestead |
12:30pm-4:00pm | Buses depart Standley Chasm to return runners to Crowne Plaza |
That night | Recommended accommodation in Alice Springs |
6:00pm – 7:30pm | Event buffet dinner at the Crowne Plaza |
7:30pm | Presentations for Stages 1 and 2 at the Crowne Plaza |
Friday 23rd April 2021
5:50am | Competitors’ buses depart Crowne Plaza to the start line (Namatjira runners) (departure time TBC) |
6:00am | Competitors’ buses depart Crowne Plaza to the start line (Malbunka runners) (departure time TBC) |
7:30am | START: Malbunka Stage 3 – Birthday Waterhole Turn-off (Start Time TBC) |
8:00am | START: Namatjira Stage 3 – Birthday Waterhole (Start Time TBC) |
12:30pm-4:30pm | Buses depart Standley Chasm to return runners to Crowne Plaza |
6:30pm | Dinner at Alice Springs Botanical Gardens followed by Stage 3 presentations |
That night | Recommended accommodation in Alice Springs |
Saturday 24th April 2021
6:00am | Competitors’ buses depart Crowne Plaza to the start line – Malbunka runners |
6:15am | Competitors’ buses depart Crowne Plaza to the start line – Namatjira runners |
8:00am | START: Malbunka Stage 4 – Ochre Pits |
8:00am | START: Namatjira Stage 4 – Counts Point Turn-off |
1:00pm and 3:30pm | Coaches depart Ellery Creek Big Hole to take runners back to Crowne Plaza |
5:30pm | Official event presentation dinner – Crowne Plaza |
That night | Recommended accommodation in Alice Springs |
*Please note start times may change pending weather conditions (earlier if it is hotter)
Sunday 25th April 2021
Competitors depart or embark on further exploration of Australia’s Red Centre.
Airport Shuttles depart taking competitors back to the airport 🙁
The race schedule is designed so that you may arrive into Alice Springs on Wednesday, register and then race all in the one day – saving a day of leave from home if you need to.

AUGUST EVENT SCHEDULE
The event schedule below is for the August Event Dates.
Wednesday 25th August 2021
All day | Competitors arrive and airport shuttle operates |
5:00pm – 6:00pm | Happy Hour drinks and chance to chat with the Race Director – Double Tree hotel |
6:30pm onwards | Dinner and drinks available at the Double Tree hotel |
That night | Recommended accommodation in Alice Springs |
Thursday 26th August 2021
All morning | Competitors arrive and airport shuttle operates |
11:00pm – 3:00pm | Registration at the Double Tree hotel. Note – ALL competitors must register during this time. |
3:00pm | Race briefing and official welcome at the Double Tree hotel |
5:00pm | Malbunka START: Stage 1 – Botanic Gardens |
5:30pm | Namatjira START: Mercure Stage 1 – Near Schwarz Ave |
That night | Recommended accommodation in Alice Springs |
Friday 27th August 2021
5:50am/6:00am | Competitors’ buses depart The Double Tree to the start lines |
7:00am | START: Malbunka Stage 2 – Simpsons Gap |
8:00am | START: Namatjira Stage 2 – Old Hamilton Downs Homestead |
That night | Recommended accommodation in Alice Springs |
6:00pm – 7:30pm | Event buffet dinner at The Double Tree |
7:30pm | Presentations for Stages 1 and 2 on the lawns at The Double Tree |
Saturday 28th August 2021
5:50am | Competitors’ buses depart Lasseters to the start line (Namatjira runners) (departure time TBC) |
6:00am | Competitors’ buses depart The Double Tree to the start line (Malbunka runners) (departure time TBC) |
7:30am | START: Malbunka Stage 3 – Birthday Waterhole Turn-off (Start Time TBC) |
8:15am | START: Namatjira Stage 3 – Birthday Waterhole (Start Time TBC) |
12:30pm onwards | Buses depart Standley Chasm to return runners to The Double Tree |
6:30pm | Dinner at Alice Springs Botanical Gardens followed by Stage 3 presentations |
That night | Recommended accommodation in Alice Springs |
Sunday 29th August 2021
6:00am | Competitors’ buses depart The Double Tree to the start line – Malbunka runners |
6:15am | Competitors’ buses depart The Double Tree to the start line – Namatjira runners |
8:00am | START: Malbunka Stage 4 – Ochre Pits |
8:00am | START: Namatjira Stage 4 – Counts Point Turn-off |
1:00pm and 3:30pm | Coaches depart Ellery Creek Big Hole to take runners back to The Double Tree |
5:30pm | Official event presentation dinner – The Double Tree |
That night | Recommended accommodation in Alice Springs |
*Please note start times may change pending weather conditions (earlier if it is hotter)
Monday 30th August 2021
Competitors depart or embark on further exploration of Australia’s Red Centre.
Airport shuttles operate taking peopel back to the airport 🙁
The race schedule is designed so that you may arrive into Alice Springs on Thursday, register and then race all in the one day – saving a day of leave from home if you need to.

“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