Total Distance: 231kms (143 miles)

Elevation: ~ 7100m

Major Peaks: 6

Difficulty: Extreme (50% Finish Rate)

Best suited to: Experienced ultra runners with multiple 100km or 100 Miler finishes under their belt.

Starting at Redbank Gorge (784m), the western-most trailhead of the Larapinta Trail in the morning autumn sun at 9am, your adventure begins. Almost immediately you will climb for the first 7.5kms to the summit of Mt Sonder (1380m). This section of trail is as technical as it is spectacular. The gradient is tempting to run, but remember how far you have to go. From the summit you will see the West Macs laid out in front of you as far as the eye can see. Savour it and then make your descent.

Mt Sonder Summit

Once at the bottom, turn East towards Rocky Bar Gap on Section 11 – a further 9kms on very runnable and picturesque trail…a perfect time to quiet the mind, get into a rhythm and contemplate just how lucky you are. Just after Rocky Bar Gap aid station you turn to the north through the gap and then east again with Mt Sounder looming in the background behind you. In no time you find yourself on the switchbacks ascending Hill Top Lookout. This hill catches so many by surprise because it is so much smaller than the other majors on the course but it packs a punch – be patient and then enjoy a well earned descent.

A few kms before the Finke water stop you will come to Davenport Creek, which has been full of water (up to knee high) for the past few years. Some people take the long (and dry) way around, and others plough on through the cold water, shoes and all and just keep going. Follow the signs to Finke trailhead and again, when crossing the Finke River it is likely you will have a choice regarding getting the feet wet or keeping them dry.

From Finke it is 10 very runnable kms to Ormiston Gorge, the first major aid station where crews and drop bags can be accessed. From Ormiston Gorge you have 29kms to tackle alone (unless you happen to be running at a similar pace to someone else), so take your time at Ormiston to fuel up, attend to any hotspots or niggles and be aware that most people will leave Ormiston in daylight but get into Serpentine Chalet Dam 4.5 to 7 hours later in the dark. Section 9 is a genuine challenge with a relatively benign 9kms or so to start before a major ascent up to the ridge of the Heavitree Range where Mt Giles (1389m) will be in full view to the North. The ridge is highly technical and awkward for around 3km before you reach a steep switchback descent into a km of bouldery creek work before reaching the often ‘waterless’ Waterfall Gorge (14km from Ormiston), the halfway point of the section. Easier running follows until reaching Inarlarnga Pass. You’ll know when you’ve reached at due to the trail merging into spectacular boulder filled creek with cycads. Progress will be slow until you reach the other end and turn left towards Serpentine Chalet Dam, now only 3kms or so away.

Once at Serpentine Chalet Dam, be encouraged that the next two sections of trail are only around 13 and 11km respectively and will take 2-3 hours each to complete. After a few flattish kms the ascent up towards Counts Point (1120m) starts. Many have described looking up in the dark and seeing the reflective trail markers in the distance look like stars. After finally reaching the ridge, it is a gradual descent, great for refinding your legs, before the trail steepens into Serpentine Gorge aid station.

Section 7 has no significant climbs, choosing to torment runners with punchier lower lying terrain with razor-sharp rock formations. It is easy to get a bit off trail and disorientated, especially at night, so check your offline maps as often as needed. Additionally, on this section, when you are presented with the option of the Ellery North route or the Ellery South route, you must keep to the right and continue on the Ellery South route. To get this turn wrong can be at best frustrating and at worst, race ending.

Your arrival into Ellery Creek aid station (the 2^nd major aid station with 24hr cut-off) will also mark 103km in the bank. You’re almost halfway. History suggests that whatever time you make it to Ellery in, that from there you will finish in 1.5-1.6x that time (e.g. arriving at Ellery in 20hrs indicates a finish time of approx. 50 – 54 hrs). This isn’t a course where you speed up in the back half. Drop bags available and pacers able to join you from this point on.

From Ellery Creek it is another big section 30km (which will take 4.5-7hrs) across the very exposed but runnable Alice Valley until you reach Hugh Gorge. This is a section where you can make up some time, as well as lose time and momentum if you don’t keep your pace consistent. There is also water at Rocky Gully halfway along this section.

Reaching Hugh Gorge (133kms) is a major milestone in that for the next 65km the trail gets visually spectacular, ridiculously technical and remote. Section 5 (15kms) is brutal and includes the famous ‘wade or climb’ water crossing approx. 3kms into non-stop creek work. A sharp right hand turn at the 4km mark offers some relief before the Razorback Ridge (approx. 1100m) ascent commences. With a few false peaks – Razorback Ridge will test your patience…your only reward being that eventually you can start descending into and through the labyrinth of Spencer Gorge for 3kms. For most people relief is the dominant emotion when they reach the 4/5 Junction aid station.

Razorback Ridge

From here 4km of flat runnable trail awaits prior to the Brinkleys Bluff (1139m) ascent which consists of two parts. The first being runnable on strong legs and noticeably easier than the second. The second without a doubt one of the most memorable and arduous climbs on the trail (second only to the High Route ascent on Section 3 which is still to come). This ascent was famously done twice by Shane Johnstone (WA) in 2019 on his way to winning the inaugural 2019 race, due to him being disorientated at the summit. The Brinkleys descent is technical but mostly runnable for the next 10kms into Standley Chasm (166kms), the 3^rd major aid station with a 44.5 hour cut-off, that will feel like the first sign of civilisation since leaving Ellery Creek.

Out of Standley Chasm it is only 13kms to Jay Creek, however the steepness of the terrain (in particular the Standley steps and cycad-laden High Route ascent) and creek work will mean that it will take most people 2.5 – 3.5 hours to complete. Tired legs don’t move fast through this terrain, though the High Route descent and trail heading towards Fish Hole does give some opportunity for efficient progress. If on the High Route at night you will see the lights of Alice 50kms to the East. Make sure that 5kms from Standley Chasm you take the High Route option to your left when you see the Millers Flat Junction.

Making to Jay Creek (179km) is another significant milestone as all the major climbing is now done and 52kms of largely runnable terrain awaits. Mulga Camp (9kms from Jay Creek) is remote but lively and after this it is 16kms of winding single track that always seems to take longer than it should. Of course by now your perception of time, effort and pace in general is somewhat warped by fatigue so just keep moving relentlessly forward.

Simpsons Gap, the 206km mark, only 25km from the finish that will take anything from 4 - 6 hours to reach, is a unique experience for everyone who makes it that far. We hope you’re one of the lucky ones who finds a second wind and ‘coasts’ into Wallaby Gap. Euro Ridge provides a genuine sting in the tail and is followed by a frustrating 6km of surprisingly undulating and uneven terrain. The last 5kms after you reach the Charles Creek Bridge is much easier going and also is the perfect time to start processing what it is you have just done, which is rare, beautiful, horrible and life-giving all at the same time. We promise that when you reach that finish line, you will be met by others who will be able to hug you and look you in the eye, knowing full well what you have been through to get there. You will be reunited with friends, family and onlookers who have bore witness to this journey you ‘had to do’. For the first time in a couple of days or thereabouts – you will be able to stop. Every memory, every lesson, every emotion….yours….for the rest of your life!

We guarantee you will reflect on the significance of this run for many years to come! Good luck!

Approach to Hugh Gorge

Elevation:

Elevation Gain 8,133m

Elevation Loss 8,239m

Entry Fee Inclusions for 231 km Sonder Monster (Not applicable to pacers / buddy runners):

• Hard Copy Course Maps and GPX Files
• SPOT Tracker Device
• Race Bibs (Front and Rear)
• Aid Stations and supplies
• Professional Medical support
• Event medals and trophies or equivalent
• Park entry fees to see Standley Chasm (value $15)
• If you finish, your name printed in our annual full page TrailRun magazine ad.
• Camping/access fees at Larapinta Trail access fees for entrants and pacers, including Standley Chasm.
• The trail running experience of a lifetime!
• 6 ITRA Points

What the Entry Fee Doesn’t Cover:

• Transport to Race Start lines (WMM will provide an option at a small additional cost)
• Accommodation at any other location not on the Larapinta Trail before, during or after the event
• Any meals before or after the event
• Parks pass and camping fees for any immediate crew or supporters for the National Park or Standley Chasm.

Registrations Open: October 1st, 7pm CST 2025

Early bird registrations close: Midnight October 31st, 2025

Online Registrations for personalised event bibs close: Sunday, April 20th, 2026 (You can still enter after this date)

Registrations still available online up until 5pm Friday 9th May 2025 providing pre-qualifications are met. Some conditions apply. There is no waitlist. In the unlikely event that more entries are made available after a distance has sold out this will be advertised on our socials and this website (be aware of scammers).

Registration Costs:

Solo

**If this is a consecutive year of entering the same race distance (or longer), you are entitled to a 10% discount. Email us if you would like to access this offer. Please note, only one discount code can be applied to your entry.

Early Bird (before midnight, October 31st) – $939

Normal Entry (Nov 1st – May 9th) – $1059

Transport/Bus to the start line $55

Buddy Runner/Pacer – $55 (optional during registration)

Pre-requisites & Registration Conditions:

Due to the physically challenging nature of the event and associated risks, the following entry criteria will strictly apply for all 231 km Sonder Monster race entrants.

• Evidence of successfully completing within the past 18 months from the event weekend:

• • a 100 km or longer trail race in an official event (not a training run); or

• • Run Larapinta: All 4 stages of the Malbunka Long Course; or

• • ASRWC Red Centre Wringer Backyard Ultra: Completing 48 full yards (48 hours) in the event (no other backyard ultras anywhere in the world can be used as qualifiers); or

• • Larapinta Trail Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6: completed as a pre-qualification run in your own time. It must be verified by another person:  running East to West which is Alice Springs Telegraph Station to Ellery Creek in under 36 hours. Completing the qualifying run in the wrong direction will result in you being asked to do it again; or

• • for Darwin residents, the following course as a pre-qualification run in your own time. Three full loops of the TableTop Track (one loop in each direction) at Litchfield National Park. It must be verified by another person and a link to your Garmin / Strava.

• You must upload a link to your race result into your Event Plus registration portal, and it can be added after you have registered. This does not mean screenshots, Strava or Garmin files as examples.
• Pre-requisite race results must be submitted by linking us to your race results by midnight April 30th, 2025. If you enter after this date, you must upload your pre-qualifying race results link at the time of entry.
• Other training runs in any other part of the world will not be considered, so please don't ask as refusal might offend.

And

Being at least 18 years of age at the date of the event starting

And

All 231km solo entrants will also need to provide a medical certificate from a doctor within one month of the race start date stating that they are fit to compete in an endurance event of this nature

Compulsory Medical Check During Event:

A compulsory medical cognitive check will be carried out at Standley Chasm checkpoint (166 km) as a welfare check before being allowed to continue in the event. The decisions of the race medical team and Race Director will be final. If allowed to continue, you may be held back to re-hydrate or other medical treatment before being allowed to continue.

The 2026 Edition of WMM will be held from Friday 15th - Sunday 17th May.

Transferred registrations must be completed by 5pm Sunday 9th May.

Visual PDF version of Mandatory Gear can be found here.

Buddy runners are subject to some rules contained in the general event rules. They are eligible to run in the 231km Sonder Monster from the Ellery Creek Checkpoint (~103 km).All buddy runners must attend the Compulsory Briefing and comply with the Race Rules, including carrying the same mandatory equipment as the runner they are pacing. Buddy runners can only start and stop legs at the publicly accessible Aid Stations.

Drop bags can be left at the time of registration for any of the 4 major aid stations and the Finish Line;

1. Ormiston Gorge ~50 km,
2. Ellery Creek ~103 km,
3. Standley Chasm ~166 km
4. Simpsons Gap ~206 km
5. Finish Line 231 km.

Our preference is for the insulated zip top shopping bags for consistency. Check point labels will be available to be filled out at registration to attach to your bags for clear identification. We encourage you to identify your bags with your own coloured ribbon, name or bib no. to allow you to find them quickly at an aid station.

All drop bags will be taken to the Finish Line for collection. Our team will do what we can to ensure drop bags don't go missing but can't guarantee the security of items in drop bags. Any drop bags not collected by 2pm Monday the day after the event concludes will be donated to the local trail running community or thrown out.

Cut-off times are in place as follows and represent the time that the runner must LEAVE the aid station by except for the finish line cut-off which is the time the runner has to ARRIVE at the finish line.

Intermediate Cut-Offs and Safety

Intermediate cut-offs may be introduced in between these official points if there is no way a competitor will be able to cover the upcoming distance in a time that will allow them to make forward cut-offs.

This right may be exercised by the Race Director in the interests of competitor/event safety and event management. As much forward notice will be given to the competitor or their crew as and if possible. The Race Rules contain more detailed information.

Completion of this race is worth 6 ITRA Points and counts towards your UTMB index.

There are many accommodation options in Alice Springs to suit all budgets, however we will have start line transport pickups for the start line from:

• Lasseters Hotel
• Double Tree Hilton
• Mecure
• Alice Stayz
• Telegraph Station (finish location)

There will be event provided transport at an additional cost to the Start Line on Friday morning that can be purchased in the registration portal. More details will be provided closer to the time.

During the event week WMM will operate a free shuttle bus service to and from Race HQ and your accommodation.

In May, the average daytime temperature is 23 degrees, with overnight lows around 7 degrees. There is approximately 11 hours of daylight and a low chance of rainfall. Generally, people find that due to the low humidity of the dry desert air, they need to drink more fluids than usual.

• Mandatory Gear List
• Race Rules
• Cancellation Policy
• Larapinta Trail Information
• Alice Springs Tourist Information