RUNNING

Interstate and international runners preparing for Alice Springs

By Rapid Ascent

With the new Run Larapinta Stage Race commencing in just over two weeks, runners from across Australia are in the midst of their final preparations before they head to Alice Springs for the race.

The Run Larapinta Stage Race is a 4-day, 4-stage trail running race in Alice Springs, from 27 to 30 August 2015. Most runners will be arriving on Wednesday 26 or Thursday 27 August with Stage 1 commencing at 5:30pm on the Thursday evening.

The event has caught the attention of interstate and international runners as they combine their love for running with a holiday in one of Australia’s top tourism destinations, central Australia.

Jonny Williams from New Zealand will spend his first visit to Australia competing in The Malbunka long course at the Run Larapinta Stage Race. He sees the event as the ideal adventure and a great opportunity to experience Australia.

“My partner Jo and I are keen adventurists and the Run Larapinta Stage Race looked ideal!

“We’re flying into Adelaide, taking the Ghan to Alice Springs, doing Run Larapinta and then when we have recovered enough... we’ll hire a campervan and drive to Darwin. And of course, we have to visit Uluru!

“I’m really looking forward to meeting all the other competitors and to a beer at the finish,” said Williams.


Photo © Rapid Ascent

Here’s a snapshot of the competitors:

• 70 runners in total
• 6 live overseas - New Zealand and the UK
• 55 are from interstate with Victoria sending the biggest contingent of runners
• 7 are single-stage runners with all others doing all 4 stages
• 56% are female
• Oldest competitor - 68 year old David from London
• Youngest competitor - 23 year old George from Victoria.

The Run Larapinta Stage Race offers two course distance options: The Malbunka - long course race with stages of 20-45km each day, and The Namatjira - short course race with stages of 10-30km each day.

Each stage will start and finish at different locations each day and showcase the many aspects of Alice Springs and the West MacDonnell Ranges. Course highlights will include: the old Telegraph Station, Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm, Glen Helen, Ormiston Gorge, The Finke River, Ochre Pits, Mt Sonder and of course the endless awe of the outback.

Competitors can choose to do the full course or just select the individual stages that suit their schedule. Local Alice Springs runners can also take advantage of a 15% discount on the entry fee.


Photo © Rapid Ascent

EVENT DETAILS:
When: Thursday 27th to Sunday 30th August 2015
Where: Larapinta Trail in the MacDonnell Ranges, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia
What: A 4-day, 4-stage trail running race along the most spectacular sections of the Larapinta Trail with two course distance options:

The Malbunka (the longer course):
Stage 1: 19km around Alice Springs to the Old Telegraph Station
Stage 2: 39km from Simpson’s Gap to Standley Chasm
Stage 3: 29km from Ochre Pits to Ormiston Gorge
Stage 4: 45km from Redbank Gorge to Mt Sonder and Glen Helen

The Namatjira (the shorter course):
Stage 1: 11km around Alice Springs to the Old Telegraph Station
Stage 2: 18km from The Old Hamilton Downs Station to Standley Chasm
Stage 3: 22km from Glen Helen to Ormiston Gorge via Ormiston Pound
Stage 4: 30km from Redbank Gorge to and Glen Helen


Photo © Rapid Ascent

Find out more at www.RunLarapinta.com.au