Australian Outback Marathon 2022

Australian Outback Marathon 2022

July 30th, 2022

https://australianoutbackmarathon.com

“The Australian Outback Marathon was conceived by Mari-Mar Walton, founder and Director of Travelling Fit, after visiting Uluru in 2004 with her husband. After six years of planning, gaining permissions and working out logistics, it began with 187 runners on 31st July 2010, growing to over 500 participants every year since 2017.” 

 

Pre-race

Back in 2014 I ran my first and second marathon, Canberra (ACT) and Melbourne (VIC) respectively. Soon after, I set myself a goal to run a full marathon in every state/territory in Australia. I went on to run Brisbane (QLD), Sydney (NSW) and Hobart (TAS). I planned on running Perth (WA) marathon in 2020 but the Covid-lockdown pandemic struck. 

In 2021, I ran Kangaroo Island marathon (SA) and immediately I set my sights on The Australian Outback Marathon (NT) for 2022. I secured my spot through Travelling Fit. I’ve travelled to South Africa through Travelling Fit, and they were flawless. It’s not cheap but my understanding is, there’s no other way to run The Australian Outback Marathon https://www.travellingfit.com/event/australian-outback-marathon/

I booked the second-cheapest accommodation – The Lost Camel. 

“The Lost Camel Hotel is a contemporary and fun, boutique-style hotel conveniently located in the heart of Ayers Rock Resort, only 20 minutes from Uluru. Soak up the sun by the pool, browse the shops or enjoy a casual meal at one of the cafés.” 

I organised my flights and although I’d recently started a new job, I made it clear I needed annual leave for a few days. My “Australian Marathon Goal” was non-negotiable. My husband was 100% supportive (as usual) and agreed to organise our teenage boys whilst I was away. *I could never have achieved this without the support and help of my family. 

 

The day before

“You will be up before dawn and escorted on a private coach to see the sunrise over Uluru. Once you have witnessed the sunrise you will start your self-guided tour of the base of Uluru. There is plenty of time to learn about the local culture and Anangu people, the traditional custodians of the land. At 5:00pm there is the mandatory Australian Outback Marathon Opening Ceremony and Race Briefing. At 6:30pm the traditional dinner will commence where you will get plenty of opportunity to mingle with fellow competitors.”https://australianoutbackmarathon.com

 

Race day

It was like Kangaroo Island all over again… It was in the early hours of the morning, and I woke to hear rustling near my bag. I turned on the light and the noise stopped. I turned off the light… “rustle, rustle, rustle.” I turned on the light and I swear, the bag of unopened popcorn (I’d bought the day before), jumped! I had a feeling of déjà vu from discovering a mouse in my bag the night before Kangaroo Island marathon. And if you’ve read my race report from Kangaroo Island, you’ll know that a mouse is NOT a good omen! I sat stunned for a few moments and then decided to do what I could to get rid of the mouse and return to my slumber. I grabbed my bags and lifted them up off the floor. I grabbed cushions and shoved them in the corners of the room behind the couch to block any sneaky entrances from outside. I sprayed some fly spray… surely that would keep the mice away? I left a light on low and managed to doze a little more.

 

My alarm sounded at 5am and I rose easily. I dressed in my shorts, calf compressions, no-name brand singlet, HOKA Cliftons (and a long-sleeve top for before the race). I wore my Garmin on my wrist and my buff and Goodr sunnies on my forehead. I’d already organised race fuel (gels and electrolytes) before leaving Melbourne and decided to store them in my Flipbelt. I walked across to the meeting area and waited with the crowd. Everyone was chatting and the banter continued on the bus, with people from all walks of life talking about The Australian Outback Marathon being a destination event and experience, rather than a race. We arrived at the start hub in the dark and cold. Thankfully there were gas heaters to help warm up, as we admired the field of light and waited for the sun to rise. 

“The critically acclaimed Field of Light Uluru by artist Bruce Munro is on display indefinitely. The exhibition, named Tili Wiru Tjuta Nyakutjaku or ‘looking at lots of beautiful lights’ is Munro’s largest work to date, covering more than seven football fields. It’s fantasy garden of 50,000 spindles of light, sways through a sympathetic desert of ochre, deep violet, blue and gentle white.”

 

https://www.ayersrockresort.com.au/experiences/field-of-light

The course

The following is information directly from the website because I’m writing this seven months later and I can’t remember anything but red dirt and sand!

 

“Setting off and turning left, you follow a graded and slightly corrugated track for approximately 1.5km before a right-hand turn leads you towards the Camel Farm and first drink station (positioned approximately 3km apart throughout the course). At 4km, you cross over Yulara Drive and then Lasseter Highway (for the first time). Look out for stunning views of Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) on your left. The course then turns in a north-easterly direction for another 2km and the ground changes from a desert track back to an unsealed but graded road. After approximately 7km you hit one of the few sealed roads on the course, which takes you through Yulara. A left turn up Giles Road takes you onto graded tracks for 6km out and back. There are some sand dunes to navigate with spectacular views of Uluru awaiting you over almost every tiny bump in the road.” 

 

 

“The 21km mark crosses another section of the Lassiter Highway and then you head back into the bush. At 27km you take a left turn and start the trip home. The entire course is relatively flat from a topographical point of view but there are some little inclines here and there. A few sand dunes make an appearance and whilst they are not long or high they are challenging. The views at the top will certainly make the effort worthwhile.” https://australianoutbackmarathon.com

My experience

As mentioned, I participated in this event seven months ago and I don’t remember the details of my run. I know I wasn’t marathon-fit! Although I had run Kangaroo Island marathon in 2021 (also underdone), we’d gone back into lockdown after that. Constant lockdowns and cancelled events made it difficult to gain any traction with training. It also negatively affected my motivation. I went into The Australian Outback Marathon with a grateful heart… grateful to be travelling, for a supportive family, for legs that allow me to run (and walk when needed) and for the overall experience. I didn’t care about the finish time.

 

Strava tells me I ran consistently for about 10km (5:30min/km pace), then slowed down for the next 10km (crossed the 21km mark in 2 hours 2 minutes). Then I slowed further, taking more walk breaks and stopping at drink stations. The temperature climbed to 26 degrees, and I began feeling slightly dehydrated. The last 10km were easy (7min/km pace) and I kept my heart rate 160 beats/min or lower. My final time was 4 hours 24 minutes. 

 

The run itself was quiet and I felt alone majority of the time. There were approximately 140 people in the full marathon with a very generous 8-hour time limit. Even though I crossed the line 13^th female, there were only a handful of people waiting in hub and very little refuelling options (I can’t remember if it was pancakes or a sausage sizzle, but they literally packed up as a I crossed the finish line because they ran out of food). With little incentive to stay, I opted for an earlier bus back to my accommodation.

 

Post-race

Once back at the hotel, I showered and scrubbed vigorously to wash away the thick layer of red dust. In the afternoon (and in good spirits), I took myself for a walk to the local pub and introduced myself to some random runners. We shared a few drinks and great conversation. The next morning, I was up early, ready to head to fly home and see my family.

 

*My running destination of choice would usually involve a water view of sorts (ocean or lake), combination of made and unmade paths with some rolling hills (not too many). Plus, a vibe like music on the side of the road and a celebratory finish line. I wouldn’t usually choose a sandy, dusty, isolated marathon but it was part of my “Australian Marathon Goal” and this particular event is justifably iconic. I’m glad I ran it. I respect the history, connectedness, and spirituality of our Indigenous people. I enjoyed the extra-curricular activities like walks around Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.

 

“Uluru and Kata Tjuta tell important stories from the beginning of time. According to Tjukurpa (creation stories) the park’s unique geological formations were created by ancestral beings that travelled across the land. Walks around the base of Uluru follow the tracks of the ancestral beings. The rock’s shapes and textures hold knowledge and stories that have been passed down through generations of Anangu and are still relevant today. The 36 steep-sided domes of Kata Tjuta lie 50 kilometres by road from Uluru. Kata Tjuta is a Pitjantjatjara word meaning many heads.” 

https://northernterritory.com/uluru-and-surrounds/destinations/uluru

 

Ayers Rock (Uluru) was declared a national park in 1950. In 1958, Ayers Rock and Mt Olga (Kata Tjuta) were excised from an Aboriginal reserve. In 1985, after more than 35 years of campaigning, Anangu were recognised as the Traditional Owners of the park and handed back the deeds to their land. The park was officially renamed Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in 1993. Anangu own Uluru and Kata Tjuta and lease the land to the Australian Government. Parks Australia and Anangu work together as partners, jointly managing the national park using a mix of modern science and traditional knowledge. https://parksaustralia.gov.au/uluru/discover/highlights/amazing-facts/

 

Final thoughts

If you’re visiting Australia or even if you’re visiting the Northern Territory for the first time and you want a destination run, this is your only choice. Travelling Fit and everyone involved in the event are highly organised, professional, friendly, and accommodating. I loved the trip away, time to explore, learn about our Indigenous culture and succeed in taking another step closer to my ultimate “Australian Marathon Goal.” Thank you!