Shona Stephenson is inspired to race in Australia's Red Centre

Internationally accomplished trail runner Shona Stephenson has signed up for the Run Larapinta Stage Race in Alice Springs in August.

Shona Stephenson has achieved enormous success in Australia and on the international running scene. She’s currently ranked 4th in the Ultra Trail World Tour, has finished top 10 at Ultra-Trail Mont Blanc (UTMB) in France and Ultra-Trail Mt Fuji (UTMF) in Japan, and has won several 100km races in Australia.

Shona says she’s been inspired to compete in the Run Larapinta Stage Race due to the magical landscape the course will pass through and for the challenge of doing her first stage race.

“I am so looking forward to spending 4 days running along the Larapinta Trail.

“I love the desert. I love hot, harsh environments and the colour of the Australian Red Centre’s earth. The Red Centre is the colour of Australia’s heart; it pumps red, orange and brown. It is our Land's Spiritual Centre and I feel like it is time that I reconnect with it. To have the opportunity to run on the Larapinta Trail is just so special.

“It will also be my first ever stage event so there are a few unknowns for me. It will be a real adventure that will push my comfort zones in many ways.

“I am also looking forward to a special camaraderie between runners. I am sure we are all going to hurting by day 3 and we would have developed special bonds with other runners that we help, encourage or are encouraged by along the way, which will draw us together,” said Stephenson.

The Run Larapinta Stage Race is a 4-day, 4-stage trail running race along the most spectacular sections of the Larapinta Trail, from 27 to 30 August 2015.

Each stage will start and finish at different locations each day and showcase the many aspects of Alice Springs and the West MacDonnell Ranges. Course highlights will include: the old Telegraph Station, Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm, Glen Helen, Ormiston Gorge, The Finke River, Ochre Pits, Mt Sonder and of course the endless awe of the outback.

The event offers two course distance options: The Malbunka - long course race with stages of 20-45km each day, and The Namatjira - short course race with stages of 10-30km each day.

Competitors can choose to do the full course or just select the individual stages that suit their schedule, which is great for competitors’ partners and local competitors.


Shona Stephenson © Rapid Ascent

To enter or find out more please visit www.RunLarapinta.com.au