Run Larapinta - August 2022

Popular Run Larapinta Stage Race heads to The Outback once again

Press Release / 03.08.2022

For the second time this year, passionate trail runners from across Australia will head to the Red Centre next week for the Run Larapinta Stage Race, held from Friday 12 to Monday 15 August, 2022.

Competitors will experience four-stages over four-days of trail running on some of the most spectacular sections of the iconic Larapinta Trail in Australia's Northern Territory.

The sold-out event was previously held in April after it was deferred in 2021 due to Covid-19 impacts.

It will be the first time in 2-years that this edition of the race will head back to fan-favourite location Glen Helen for Stages 3 and 4.

Glen Helen is one of the natural wonders of Central Australia - a truly beautiful waterhole edged by red quartzite cliffs which is one of the highlights of the event.

The four-stage course follows sections of Larapinta Track in the heart of the West MacDonnell Ranges, to the west of Alice Springs, including Glen Helen.

Two different course lengths are on offer: the Malbunka long course features stages of 20km - 46km each day and The Namatjira stages of 12km - 31km.

Participants will encounter breathtaking landmarks such as Standley Chasm, Ormiston Gorge, Simpsons Gap, Redbank Gorge and Mt Sonder with its’ incredible views atop.

Each stage takes runners to the most scenic, diverse and eternal sections of the area, and are designed by Rapid Ascent Event Directors and experienced adventurers Sam Maffett and John Jacoby.

“As with any long journey, there are good sections and there are terrific sections and we have combined the best of the best to create the stages for the event… we’ve taken you straight to the heart of the trails!” said Maffett.

The final Stage 4 on the Monday finishes beside the picturesque Glen Helen Gorge where participants will get to cool-off in the water and celebrate their achievements with an unofficial ‘after-party’ prior to presentations.

The popular stage race has developed a cult status among trail runners since its’ conception seven years ago, and organisers Rapid Ascent can’t wait to share the sensational experience with participants next week.

“With spectacular views at every turn, it’s no wonder Run Larapinta has quickly gained a reputation as a must-do bucket-list event and we can’t wait to share it all again with a new group of runners next week,” said Maffett.

“Participants will come away with life-long friendships and will reset their limits of what they can achieve when they cross the final finish line; it really is an amazing experience,” said Maffett.

Designed for runners of all types, the terrain is rough and rocky; but is unlike any other landscape in Australia, adding to the drawcard for participants.

The 2022 event reached capacity almost instantly when entries opened late last year. Rapid Ascent have a self-imposed field limit of 200 runners.

“We want to preserve the experience for all runners rather than compromise the course and runners’ experiences for the sake of more people,” said Maffett.

The event would not be possible without the support from the NT Government in recent years which has helped event promoters Rapid Ascent market the event at a national level and reach capacity fields.