The Australian Outback Marathon was an event conceived by Mari-Mar Walton after visiting Uluru with her husband for the first time in 2004. After six years of planning, gaining permissions and working out the logistics of putting on an event such as this in the middle of the desert, the inaugural Australian Outback Marathon took place with 187 runners on 31st July 2010, growing to over 400 participants in 2014.

The Australian Outback Marathon has four running events; the full marathon, half marathon, 11km run and 6km run which all use sections of the same course. The terrain varies throughout the course; with most on unsealed roads, bush trails and tracks. The ‘red earth’ route takes runners on a journey through Australia’s Outback with stunning views of Ayers Rock. Although this race is popular with local runners, for most, it’s a once in a lifetime experience. It’s not every day marathoners get to take in the stunning views of Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) as the kilometers tick by.