A Runner’s Guide to the Outback Marathon

Runners — take your marks, and get set to pound the red earth. The last Saturday of July is the Australian Outback Marathon, a bucket list race and accomplishment for runners worldwide. Along these unsealed roads, the journey toward the finish line is dotted with magnificent rock formations and otherworldly views of Uluru and Kata Tjuta.

Sure, race day is what you’ve been training for — but here in the Red Centre, you’ll find what you’ve been yearning for. For the marathoners, fun runners, and supportive spectators, a world of off-the-beaten-path adventure and relaxation awaits at Ayers Rock Resort.

Arriving a few days ahead of the marathon? Delicious doesn’t need to wait until after the event. Light meals and garden-fresh salads at Walpa Lobby Bar, sizzling burgers and pizzas at Outback Pioneer Kitchen, hearty buffet breakfasts at Ilkari Restaurant and Mangata Bistro & Bar, and share plates by the poolside for casual dining at Pira Pool Bar — your options for fueling up for the big race are as vast as the sparkling Outback sky. And if you’re planning a holiday following the event, that all-important post-race meal may become a multi-day feast when you have 11 different restaurants, bars, and cafés to choose from (plus a variety of on-the-go options).

If you’re hungry for something special, dig into one-of-a-kind dining experiences that will satisfy your craving for wonder. The tantalising smell of BBQ, the sound of a crackling campfire, the sight of a million stars in the sky — you’ll leave with a full stomach and invigorated spirit.

Bucket list race? Check. Bucket list adventures? We’ve got you. If you’re ready to pack each day of your race-cation with Uluru’s most unique experiences, this is for you.

Rise and shine with a sightseeing adventure in the sky. A 35-minute sunrise helicopter tour over Uluru and Kata Tjuta means travelling miles without moving a muscle.

When the sun goes down, wander through the acclaimed Field of Light art installation. This mesmerising display of 50,000 solar-powered stems spans an area the size of four football fields in the vast desert, lighting up at sunset and glowing all through the night.

If you’re visiting with little ones in tow, mini-astronomers can get an up-close peek at the planets at the family-friendly Outback Sky Journeys experience. Wherever you go, you’ll find wide-open spaces and plenty of room to soak up the beauty of nature with your family.

You trained, you planned, you raced to the finish line. Now, maybe your dream post-event holiday looks a little more like sleeping in, eating well, and letting your accomplishment sink in. A little time spent here is good for the body and soul — even downtime in the Red Centre feels magical.

If you’re feeling a bit stiff after the marathon, post-race pampering is in order. A visit to Red Ochre Spa does wonders for a tired body and mind, with tranquil treatments designed to balance physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. A therapeutic leg massage will melt away post-race soreness, and tired feet will walk out renewed after a scrub treatment or pedicure.

Around here, reconnecting with yourself and the earth comes naturally. Tune into the power of nature with a yoga, dance, or meditation practice hosted in the rejuvenating surrounds of Ayers Rock Resort, and discover why this special place carries great spiritual significance.

 

While running a marathon past Uluru is an extraordinary experience, It’s the stories of the land’s Traditional Owners that will stick with you long after race weekend has passed.

A visit to the Red Centre promises the unique opportunity to learn about — and from — the people who call this amazing part of the world home. Take a walk at the base of Uluru, guided by a National Park Ranger. You’ll hear the stories of the Anangu, and learn about their traditional and contemporary culture. Or, if you prefer to travel at your own pace, venture on one of the self-guided walks around Uluru.

Discover how local Indigenous groups have hunted, gathered, and prepared bush foods for millennia, or explore the cultural landscapes of this pre-dawn land. There are so many ways to experience the Indigenous culture of the terrain you’ll be racing through.

 

Plan your pre or post-race holiday or personalise your marathon itinerary to experience the very best of Uluru during your stay. You may have come here hoping for a personal best, but you’ll leave with so much more.

Find your perfect outback accommodation today.