The Track is a 520km / 9 stages ultra marathon in Alice Springs, Australia. Distance: 520km. Elevation: 4,000m D+. Difficulty: brutal (Challenge Rating 54/100). DNF rate: 25%. Time limit: 216h. Surface: sand. Established 2010.
The Track
Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia
"520km from Alice Springs to Uluru. Nine stages through the Australian red desert to the sacred rock."
One of the world's great desert crossings — 520km through the Australian Outback from Alice Springs to Uluru.
The Course
A nine-stage crossing of the Australian Outback from Alice Springs to Uluru (Ayers Rock). The course runs through the red desert landscape of the Northern Territory on sandy tracks, dry riverbeds, and dusty roads. One of the longest foot races in the Southern Hemisphere.
rolling
point-to-point
Runner Experience
Self-supported race — runners carry all supplies. Checkpoints for timing and safety only.
A legendary finish line atmosphere. The Track is a bucket-list race with celebrations that match its reputation.
Race Day Weather
18°C
4° – 30°
20%
5%
Australian desert autumn — hot days, cold nights. Very dry. Massive temperature swings between day and night.
Stats & Records
2010
40
8:00:00:00
Entry
AUD 6,500
August
months
Lore & Trivia
The Track is a 520km multi-stage race through the Australian Outback — from Alice Springs to the remote community of Marla along the old Ghan railway route. The course crosses spinifex desert, salt lakes, and the vast red emptiness of central Australia. Runners are self-supported between stages, carrying food and survival gear through terrain where the nearest town might be 200km away. The Outback heat (40°C+), the isolation, and the sheer scale of the landscape make The Track one of the most extreme multi-stage races in the world. Indigenous Arrernte and Arabana country — runners cross land that has been inhabited for 40,000+ years.
- ▸ 520km multi-stage through the Australian Outback.
- ▸ Alice Springs to Marla along the old Ghan railway route.
- ▸ Crosses Arrernte and Arabana Indigenous country — 40,000+ years of habitation.
- ▸ Temperatures exceed 40°C in exposed desert sections.
- ▸ The nearest town can be 200km away.
- ▸ Self-supported between stages.
- ▸ Salt lakes, spinifex desert, and red earth.
The Outback is so big and so empty that after 300 kilometres you start to understand why Aboriginal Australians measure distance in songs, not miles.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long is The Track? +
The Track is a 520km / 9 stages (520km) ultra marathon with 4,000m of elevation gain. The course is point-to-point on sand terrain.
How hard is The Track? +
The Track is rated brutal with a Challenge Rating of 54/100 (Challenging). The DNF rate is 25%. Runners have 216 hours to finish.
What is the weather like at The Track? +
Average temperature is 18°C (range 4°C to 30°C) with 20% humidity and a 5% chance of rain. Australian desert autumn — hot days, cold nights. Very dry. Massive temperature swings between day and night.
Are crew and pacers allowed at The Track? +
No crew access is permitted. Pacers are not allowed. Mandatory gear is required.
What is the average finish time for The Track? +
The average finish time is 8:00:00:00. About 40 runners finish each year. The DNF rate is 25%.
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