Entry Info and Fees

Run Larapinta 2025 is officially FULL!

We’re honestly flawed by how quickly and enthusiastically you runners have jumped on this event for 2025.

THANK YOU for helping to turn our crazy idea to run through the desert into such a popular event. We couldn’t do any of it without your support!

If you missed out (sorry!), we have commenced a wait list for entries – add your name by clicking the button below.

Thanks again everyone!

We cannot wait to share a new outback experience with the 200-strong cohort of 2025.

The (gobsmacked) Rapid Ascent Team

INDEX for further details below:

Please get in touch via [email protected] or (03) 5261 5511 if you have any questions.

FIELD LIMIT

Run Larapinta has a field limit of 200 4-Stage Runners as a total across both The Malbunka and The Namatjira. In 2025 this is divided equally with a 100 runner limit imposed for each race. Further details below.

ENTRY FEES

Entry fees include a base fee level, plus an all-in-one package option** (includes base fee, transfers, dinners and more!)

ENTRIES CLOSE: Online entries close 9:00am AEST Monday 12 August 2025 (unless the field limit of 200 is reached prior) 

Malbunka (Long Course) entry fees

BASE ENTRY
Enter prior to 8:00am on Monday 1 July 2025

LATE ENTRY
Enter after 8:00am on Monday 1 July 2025

DayStageDistanceBASE ENTRY
LATE ENTRY
AllFour-stage Runner (all stages)*$1,277$1,468
AllFour-stage Runner (all stages) with PACKAGE**$1,612$1,853
Single Stage 119km$187$215
Single Stage 2                39km$390$448
Single Stage 334km$390$448
Single Stage 445km$424$488

All Malbunka entrants must meet the entry requirements as listed below.

**PACKAGE INCLUSIONS:

  • 4 Stage Race Entry to The Malbunka
  • Return Airport Transfers* – to and from the Mercure or Discovery Parks Alice Springs and the Alice Springs Airport
  • Race Transfers: to and from the Start/Finish lines and the event hotels in Alice Springs
  • Ticket for the BBQ Dinner at the Mercure following Stage 2
  • Ticket for the Presentation Dinner on final day of racing (following Stage 4)

*4-Stage Runners (no package) receive:

  • 4 Stage Race Entry to The Malbunka
  • Ticket for the Presentation Dinner on final day of racing (following Stage 4)
  • NOTE: Meals tickets and transfers can be booked separately during the entry process


Namatjira (Short Course) entry fees

BASE ENTRY
Enter prior to 8am on Monday 1 July 2025

LATE ENTRY
Enter after 8am on Monday 1 July 2025

DayStageDistance BASE ENTRY LATE ENTRY
ALL Four-stage Runner (all stages)*$1,122$1,290
ALL Four-stage Runner (all stages) with PACKAGE** $1,4571,675
Stage 111km$166$191
Stage 218km$315$362
Stage 322km$315$362
Stage 430km$373$429

**PACKAGE INCLUSIONS:

  • 4 Stage Race Entry to The Namatjira
  • Return Airport Transfers* – to and from the Mercure or Discovery Parks Alice Springs and the Alice Springs Airport
  • Race Transfers: to and from the Start/Finish lines and the event hotels in Alice Springs
  • Ticket for the BBQ Dinner at the Mercure following Stage 2
  • Ticket for the Presentation Dinner on final day of racing (following Stage 4)

*4-Stage Runners (no package) Receive:

  • 4 Stage Race Entry to The Namatjira
  • Ticket for the Presentation Dinner on final day of racing (following Stage 4)
  • NOTE: Meals tickets and transfers can be booked separately during the entry process

Entry Fee Inclusions

Participants entering Run Larapinta (in either Malbunka or Namatjira) will receive the following included in their entry fee:

  • Race Entry
  • Short-sleeved technical T-SHIRT with customised event print (FREE for the 4-Stage Runners Only) Single Stage Runners can Pre Purchase the T-shirt
  • Finishers gift
  • Sew-on Badge
  • FREE Access to high resolution event photographs during and immediately after the event
  • Fully marked and serviced race course
  • Professional medical support throughout the race
  • A free 5 month training program specific to Run Larapinta prepared by 2016 race winner Hanny Allston
  • Access to fresh fruit, cake and lollies at most checkpoints and at the finish of each stage
  • Entry to the final event presentation dinner (4 Stage runners only. Additional tickets are available to purchase when entering)
  • Admission to Standley Chasm Park
  • Larapinta Trail Park Fees
  • Electronic timing and results
  • Printed copy of the event program
  • Personalised race plate (plus a small running plate for your back pack)

ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

The Malbunka – Entry Qualifications

To be able to participate in any or all stages of the Malbunka, runners must have completed any one of the following between August 2023 and the August 2025 race:

  • A 50km trail running race OR
  • A 100km trail running race OR
  • A marathon in a time of under 4.5 hours (this may be a road or trail marathon on flat terrain)
  • Previously completed the Malbunka at Run Larapinta

We have set in place these requirements to help ensure runners have the required skills and experience to complete the Malbunka stages safely and within the cut off times. You will be asked to provide a URL link to your race result as evidence of your satisfying these requirements during the online entry process (so have it handy when entering). If you have not yet completed these requirements but intend to do so before Run Larapinta you can enter TBA in the field whilst entering and advise us at a later date.

The Namatjira – Entry Recommendations

Prior to competing in any stage of The Namatjira, we strongly recommend competitors have completed the following as an absolute minimum:

  • A 30+km trail run in the past year

This is not a hard and fast requirement but a strong recommendation.

General Recommendations for All Runners

We strongly recommend that prior to competing at Run Larapinta all competitors should have:

  • trained on rough, rocky, technical and uneven terrain on a considerable number of occasions
  • run off-road using a headtorch in the dark
  • experienced running with up to 3L of water in your backpack, plus other mandatory gear (ie. total back pack weight of 5-6kg) 

Junior Entrants

Our general policy at Rapid Ascent is that we welcome junior competitors into all our events because we believe youth should be given the opportunity to challenge themselves if they want to and not be restricted just because of their age. We also have a duty of care to make sure they get through safely and enjoy the experience.

Please review the following safeguards designed to ensure junior entrants’ safe participation during the event. Rapid Ascent also requires that:

  • Junior entrants submit a hydration and nutrition plan for Race Director’s approval before the race.
    • We want to see what and how much the entrant plans to eat / drink during each stage
  • Entrants submit and complete a training program lasting at least 12 weeks that meets our expectations (roughly similar to the training program on our website). Training program to be submitted for approval at least 12 weeks prior to the race.
    • The training program should include some race simulation style of sessions with longer runs completed on consecutive days – ideally over rough terrain
  • We see evidence that this training plan has been completed (via Strava link or other testimonial).
    • We want to receive updates on how training is progressing at least once a month over the 3 months leading up to the event.
  • Junior entrants must meet/chat with the Rapid Ascent Race Director on the phone approx. 4 weeks before the start of the race to discuss:
    • training and preparation for the event
    • hydration and nutrition plan during each stage
    • ability to use the mapping app and navigation function to follow an unmarked course
    • mental attitude and approach to the race
  • We speak to their running coach (or an independent runner who knows the entrant) about how their training is progressing and their mental and physical approach to the event
  • Entrants completing more than one stage must submit a medical certificate stating that they are medically fit to start the race

NOTE: If a race official considers that an underage athlete is in distress at any point in the race, then the athlete must be seen by a member of the event medical team who will determine if they are fit to continue.

Please contact Rapid Ascent to discuss these requirements further.

Locals’ Discount

To support the local runners and members of the Alice Springs Running and Walking Club we are very happy to provide a 25% discount for any entries to the Run Larapinta Stage Race, this can be for all 4 stages or just for one stage. To qualify for the Alice Springs locals discount you must:

  • be a permanent resident of Alice Springs
  • be a current financial member of the Alice Springs Running and Walking Club.

How do I arrange the discounted entry?

  • Contact Rapid Ascent office at [email protected] with proof of Alice Springs residency and your Alice Springs Running and Walking Club membership. We will then send you an entry discount code
  • Enter online normally and pay the quoted entry fee (at checkout the discount will be applied).
  • Please note the discount applies to online entries only and cannot be offered retrospectively after online entries close.
  • If you have already entered Run Larapinta, please contact [email protected] to arrange for a refund of your discount amount.

TERMS OF ENTRY

Click here to download a copy of the Terms of Entry Form.

FIELD LIMITS (new)

The field limits for each race are as follows:

  • 100 people entered as 4 stage runners into the Malbunka (long course)
  • 100 people entered as 4 stage runners into the Namatjira (short course)
  • 5 people entered per stage as single-stage runners
  • JOIN 2025 WAIT LIST HERE >>

EXPLAINER: We have introduced field limits for each race to help manage the logistics and ensure we can provide the best possible event experience for all runners. In order to balance demand on water points, bus services, toilets and other competitor services we will accept equal numbers into each race in 2025. This will preserve the competitor experience and make it even more memorable for all. Once the field limit is reach for each race we will commence a wait list.

ENTRY AND REFUND POLICY 

Refund Policy

If a competitor withdraws more than 23 days prior to event day they have the option of a credit or refund:

  • Credit: Credit towards another Rapid Ascent event – less a 10% administration fee
  • Refund: A refund will be offered, less 15% administration fee

If a competitor withdraws less than 23 days before event day:

  • No credits or refunds will be issued

Refunds/credits must be requested in writing via [email protected]
A refund cannot be granted once a credit has been issued.

Pregnancy Policy

If a female entrant is forced to withdraw due to pregnancy, they have the following options:

  • Credit: Receive a credit towards another Rapid Ascent event – less a 10% administration fee
  • Refund: Receive a refund of the entry fee paid, less 10% administration fee
  • Entry Deferral: A guaranteed entry into the same race at the same entry fee will be offered for the following year.

Transfer Policy

  • Transfer of individual race entries are NOT permitted.
  • Providing there are spaces available, a runner may transfer from a higher entry fee event/category to a lower entry fee event/category before 8:00am AEST on the Tuesday before event day. In this case, the difference between the two entry fees will not be refunded.
  • Providing there are spaces available, a runner may transfer from a lower entry fee event to a higher entry fee event up to 8:00am AEST on the Tuesday before event day – no admin fee will be charged. Any entry upgrades requested after 8:00am AEST on the Tuesday before event day will incur a $15 upgrade fee (plus entry fee difference), to be paid at race registration.

WAIT LIST POLICY

A waiting list for entries will be set in place once the field limit of 100 runners entered into either or both the races has been reached (see here field limit description). The following conditions apply to the wait list:

  • An entrant must pay an entry deposit of 20% of the entry fee for their chosen event to be added to the wait list (ie. If a malbunka runner enters then their deposit is 20% of the malbunka entry fee).
  • If and when an entry becomes available, entry spots will be offered to the names on the wait list in chronological order. You will have a limited number of days to accept or decline that entry spot.
  • If someone on the wait list is offered a spot and they accept the entry, they must pay the balance of their entry fee when they complete their entry.
  • If someone on the wait list is offered a spot and they decline the entry, they will be refunded their entry deposit less an administration fee of 10% of the entry fee for their chosen event (ie. If a malbunka runner then 10% of the malbunka entry fee will be retained as an admin charge).
  • If someone on the wait list is not offered a spot, then their full entry deposit will be refunded within 1 month of the event.
  • If someone on the wait list no longer wants to participate in the event, they can withdraw from the wait list at any time and receive a full refund of their entry deposit.

EVENT RESCHEDULING / CANCELLATIONS

If the event is deemed unsafe or unable to be held on the proposed date, the following steps shall be followed:

  • Rapid Ascent will endeavor to reschedule the event to another date with all entries transferring to the new date
  • If the new event date is more than 23 days after the original date and you are unable to attend a competitor may withdraw from the event according to the refund policy above.
  • If the new event date is within 23 days of the original date and you cannot attend you can receive a race credit to any Rapid Ascent event less a 25% admin fee

Note:

  • Rapid Ascent reserves the right to alter or amend the originally proposed course(s) from that which was published on the event website for any reason
  • Advice of any event postponement or change will be made on the front page of the event website as early as possible before the event, and will be posted to the official race notice board at the registration marquee.