Runners far and wide descent on Central Australia for four-day Larapinta race
RUNNERS from all around Australia complete four days of “super hard, super rocky but super spectacular running” in the heart of the country.
Centralian Advocate
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CHEERS and happy tears echoed across the gorges at Ellery Creek in the west MacDonnell Ranges at Saturday after 130 trail runners completed four days through the challenging but spectacular terrain of the Larapinta Trail.
The Run Larapinta Stage Race sees runners from across the country attracted to the event each year.
Runners traversed a long course, The Malbunka with stages of 20km – 41km each day and The Namatjira (short course) with stages of 11km – 26km.
Namatjira competitor Laurent Rosignol described running though the Red Centre landscape as a “mesmerising experience”.
“I feel better than I’ve felt for two years – since I was last up here for the event!.”
During some stages competitors encountered loose rocks, switchback climbs and endless rocky tails as they traversed a particularly remote section of the course.
This year saw a new stage which took runners up the steep side of Brinkley’ Bluff which tops out at 1210m above sea level – summating the highest peak in the race that providing remarkable views in all directions.
The final day of racing on Saturday 24 April saw an emotional finish at Ellery Creek Waterhole.
Rapid Ascent General Manager Sam Maffett said, “We all kept pinching ourselves at the finish line with the ancient gorge and waterhole setting the backdrop for what must be one of the most spectacular finish lines known to man.”
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The Malbunka long course was won by John Robinson of Victoria; with Erika Lori from Western Australia crowned overall Champion.
The Namatjira short course was won by Nothern Territory’s Hansie Muller and Georgina Beech.
The next Run Larapinta Stage Race is set for 26 – 29 August 2021 with entries having already reached capacity earlier this year.
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