West Macs Monster is the most exciting event on the Larapinta Trail in Central Australia.

The iconic Larapinta Trail, in the West McDonnell Ranges in Australia’s Red Centre is definitely a bucket list hiking destination for thousands of people around the world each year. Now ultra runners will have the opportunity to test themselves on 231km of spectacular single track in a full length end to end, supported, non-stop extreme ultra race event being organised by the Alice Springs Running and Walking Club (ASRWC).

A new end to end record was set at the 2019 event by Perth runner Shane Johnstone. An amazing time of 40 hours 55 minutes and 18 seconds blitzed the previous record by nearly 18 hours.

The 2022 event is on May 20th, 21st & 22nd May.

Registration for 2022 will open on October 1st, 2021

As well as the full length 231km ultra (6 ITRA Points), there will be ultra options of 128km (5 ITRA Points) from Ellery Creek or a 65km (3 ITRA Points) from Standley Chasm.

The most popular and fun event is the fantastic Section 1 of the trail, running a 25km distance from Simpsons Gap and finally a family orientated fun run of around 5km at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station. All events finish on the Sunday at the Historic Alice Springs Telegraph Station in a superb festival environment with food, music and entertainment.

Changes summary for 2022

1. New start times for 231km, 128km events – 9am
2. Teams only apply for the 231km Sonder Monster and are no longer options for the 128km and 65km events
3. Drop Bags for Ultra Distance Events only at the 4 major Aid Stations as applicable forward of your starting location (Ellery Creek, Standley Chasm and Simpsons Gap) as well as the finish line
4. No Drop Bag Options for the 25km event
5. Updated Mandatory Gear Lists V5 – clarifications
6. Updated Race Rules – Cut off clarifications (Still to come)

Distances/Events

231 km Sonder Monster

128 km Ellery Monster
65 km Standley Monster
25 km Simpsons Monster
5 km Tele Monster