Run Larapinta Stage Run

Event overview

Run Larapinta is a four-day stage race on the Larapinta Trail in the MacDonnell Ranges near Alice Springs, Northern Territory. The 2026 event takes place Friday 14 to Monday 17 August. The event has a field limit of 200 four-stage runners. Entries open Monday 27 October 2025 at 12 noon (AEDST) and are expected to reach capacity within hours of opening.

Courses and stages

There are two course options: Malbunka (long course) and Namatjira (short course). The Malbunka stages range from 20 km to 45 km; the Namatjira stages range from 14 km to 30 km. The Malbunka course has minimum entry requirements and is aimed at trail runners; walking the entire course each day will not meet cut-offs.

Malbunka (long course): Stage 1 19.5 km around Alice Springs from the Old Telegraph Station to the Mercure. Stage 2 41 km from Simpsons Gap to Standley Chasm. Stage 3 33 km from the Birthday Waterhole turn-off to Standley Chasm. Stage 4 34 km from the Ochre Pits to Ellery Creek Waterhole.
Namatjira (short course): Stage 1 13.5 km around Alice Springs from the Old Telegraph Station to the Mercure. Stage 2 20 km Standley Chasm to High Route loop. Stage 3 22 km Birthday Waterhole to Standley Chasm. Stage 4 27 km Counts Point turn-off to Ellery Creek Waterhole. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.