THE STORY, THE PEOPLE, AND SOME OF THE MEMORIES...
BEFORE IT WAS EVEN AN IDEA...
Following in the footsteps of Chris Macaskil-Hants, an Alice Springs local at the time who had set a supported Fastest Known Time for the entire length of the Larapinta Trail of 61hrs, 32mins in 2014. Good mates Rohan Rowling and Simon Duke, also from Alice Springs, thought that would be 'fun' to give a go in April 2018. Chris didn't feel the soles of his feet for almost 6 months after his effort due to nerve damage sustained during the run and was very generous in sharing some of his wisdom with Rohan and Simon prior to their adventure.
It was the first time Rohan and Simon had ever attempted an ultra distance and plenty of things didn't go to plan...mashed toes, agonising blisters, terrible nutrition choices and losing each other temporarily near Jay Creek. What did go to plan was finishing in 58hrs48mins unsupported and in the process a discussion (in a somewhat delirious state) about whether other people would love to do the same thing on the Larapinta - what if there was an event that made it easier for others to experience this place like they had?
FROM AN IDEA TO HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
There wasn't any genuine belief at the time that an event would be possible. The logistical challenges, the remoteness, the lack of event management experience....there were genuine barriers. That is until local trail runner Marc Woods got wind of the idea. Marc had spent around two decades in the region establishing communications systems including for the West MacDonnell Ranges National Park as well as significant involvement with the Finke Desert Race. He had the transferrable skills, know-how and experience to actually entertain the idea that maybe this was possible.
Within months and after a number of meetings at various Alice Springs cafe's and pubs with a keen bunch (Marc Woods, Brooke McAllan, Rachel Frearson, Jamie Lines, Richard Johnson, Simon Duke, Dan Sawyer & Chris Turner), the West Macs Monster was being planned into existence. Everyone put in a lot of heavy lifting but it is safe to say that there would be no Monster at all without Marc's drive, vision and involvement. There was nothing in it for anyone (and still isn't) except for a deep desire to share and enjoy the Larapinta with other trail runners drawn from all over Australia and the world.
Then in 2020, major adjustments were made due to Covid restrictions with a 25km and 65km event put on for those already residing in Alice Springs. Trail running was growing in participation in Alice, and was helped along significantly by Morgana Garland-Fernandez establishing the females only Dusty Diva's trail running group. Locals were starting to consistently organise long run missions on various sections of the Larapinta Trail on the weekends and reimagine their limits. To this day, Alice Springs trail running scene is vibrant, diverse and full of great quality humans.
2021 was a year of incredible contrast. It was the first year of the Ekistica 128km Ellery Monster with local Rodney Angelo seemingly coming out of nowhere to comfortably win the inaugural event. On the other hand in the 231km race, while Liz Woodgate also took out outright first place with calm determination, winning the hearts of Alice along the way, a number of runners took a race ending turn onto the Ellery North track.
FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH
2022 saw the semi-permanent water in Hugh Gorge change locations after flooding to introduce a cold water wade or rock scramble that has existed ever since. Nick Bamford turned heads when his crew was supplying him with cold cheeseburgers on his way to a 231km win, whilst Dan Janes from SA set a new 128km course record. The story of that year was Julie Brock, who returned after a DNF in 2021 due to a wrong turn. With 5km to go in the dark her headtorches had completely run out, so she had to rely on her husband running next to her who wasn't long out of hip surgery. With under 3 minutes to go until the finish line cut-off Julie finished in the most exciting finish in the event's history....an eye-watering unfinished business run for the ages!
2023 was a year of ideal cooler conditions and saw a blistering pace set in the 65km Standley Monster with four fast Alice Springs locals (Ryan 'Bluey' Clark, Tom Giles, Ben Orr and Brendan Verrier), pushing each other all the way. After 65km only 20 seconds separated 1st and 2nd, with 3rd and 4th only 10 minutes behind them! It was Brendan Verrier, who had lost vision in one of his eyes that set a new 65km course record that year. New course records were also set in the Ekistica 231km Sonder Monster for both male and female (Simon Duke - 39h56m26s & Meghann Coffey - 47h11m38s). All distances saw an increase in entries, and the volunteer team had now grown to be 150 strong.
In 2024 it was finally Marc Woods turn to run after 5 years at the helm as Event Director. Every year we witness gutsy finishes in every distance, and Jarrad Allen and Ryan Clark certainly contributed a couple of those, but to see Marc patiently progress through the field and slot into first place from Brinkley Bluff onwards was something special. An absolute fairytale result and evidence of the work and preparation Marc had put in - very well deserved.
In 2025, the RFDS 25km 9am wave was introduced and very well received, raising over $17,500 for their life-saving work. All distances except the 231km sold out and improvements to the finish line festival and event systems were rolled out.
Maddie Fasnacht lit up the 65km course setting a sub 8hr female course record and WMM sub-committee member Annie Knight took out 1st place in the 128km. It proved to be the year for teaming up with an equal first place in the 231km and equal 3rd place in the 128km. Friendships for life forged over a few hundred kms, not to mention the usual life changing finishes for many across all distances.
To all the volunteers, runners, sponsors, partners, crews and spectators your contribution has made the above and so much more possible. Together we have built a big, friendly, daunting, exhilarating Monster! The Ekistica West Macs Monster has become so much more than a run to tick off or an event to organise...it has become an annual family gathering, and there's still plenty more room and history to be made as you weave your story into a bigger one - the story of adventures had on the Larapinta Trail!
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