Thursday 26th July 2012
Today is your arrival day at Yulara and the Ayers Rock Resort. You will be met at the airport by a member of the Travelling Fit team and escorted to your hotel on one of the complimentary Airport Shuttles which will drop you off right at the door of your hotel.
Once you arrive you will be guided to our dedicated check-in area where you will get your room key as well as your race registration pack that will contain, amongst other things, your race bib and exclusive Australian Outback Marathon Coolmax running top.
Depending on when you arrive, there is plenty of time to relax by the pool, explore the resort or simply head to the Town Square for a bite to eat and a little souvenir shopping.
At 16:00h we will gather at the reception area of the Outback Pioneer Hotel for a hosted training run which is your first opportunity to sample the “read earth” of Central Australia. The run will be fully guided and will last for approximately 45 minutes; just enough time to shake the cobwebs from your legs.
At 18:00h we will all gather together for the first of your Australian Outback Marathon dining experiences; our exclusive “Sails Poolside” welcome dinner. Set outdoors this is a great way to relax and mingle with your fellow competitors who will be sharing your Australian Outback Marathon experience with you.
Included Meals: Dinner
Friday 27th July 2012
You will be up before dawn today and escorted on a private coach departing from your hotel at 06:25h to see one of the many wonders of the area; the sunrise over Uluru. Breakfast is included and you will also get a souvenir backpack to carry your belongings so there will be no need to bring along an extra bag.
Once you have witnessed the sunrise you will start your self-guided tour of the base of Uluru, allowing you to see “up close and personal” what makes this such a special and spiritual place. If you don’t want to walk all the way round, fear not as your private coach will be with you all morning allowing you to hop on and off at will.
On the way back to the resort a visit to the Indigenous Cultural Centre is a must and this is your next stop. There is plenty of time to learn more about the local culture and the Anangu people, the traditional owners of the land. The tour returns to your hotel at around 13:00h.
At 16:00h there will be the opportunity to purchase your very own limited edition Australian Outback Marathon merchandise and you will also be able to change your chosen event, should you wish to. Both of these activities will take place at the Amphitheatre near the Sails in the Desert Hotel, followed by the Australian Outback Marathon Opening Ceremony and Race Briefing starting at 17:00h.
Please note that the Opening Ceremony and Race Briefing are mandatory as there will also be a safety briefing at this time and it is also our last opportunity to pass along any additional information prior to the race itself.
At 18:00h the traditional Carbo Load dinner will commence where you will get plenty of opportunity to mingle with your fellow competitors and also to fully “carbo load” should you wish to.
Note: your 3 day Uluru/Kata Tjuta National Park entry pass is included. This will be given to you on the bus for the Uluru Sunrise Tour.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Saturday 28th July 2012
TODAY IS THE DAY!
You will need to get up bright and early today but for those with a healthy appetite; a full breakfast will be served from 05:00h at your hotel. Our private fleet of coaches will pick you up from the lobby of your hotel at 06:45h to take you to the race start so please don’t be late!
Sunrise is approximately 07:30h and this is another excellent opportunity to see the first rays of the sun splash across the mighty Uluru which forms the back-drop of the start/finish area. Toilets will be provided for those needing to quell those last minute nerves and at 07:45h the 3rd Australian Outback Marathon (and Half-Marathon) will begin. For those participating in the 11km Fun Run and the 6km Fun Run, your start time will be 08:00h.
There will be plenty of tables and chairs at the start/finish area and we will also be providing fruit, an assortment of sandwiches, muffins and drinks for you once you have completed the race. All competitors are encouraged to stay and cheer in your fellow runners but for those that wish to leave once your race has been completed there will be a shuttle bus circulating all day between the finishing area and the resort. You may want to head on back, have a shower and then come on back to the finishing line to cheer on the last runners as they complete their journey.
OPTIONAL TOURS
There are two optional sunset tours available to you should you wish to take advantage of them (at own expense);
- Uluru Sunset Tour (a great opportunity to make the most of your 3 day park pass!)
- Sunset Camel Ride
Please see end of Itinerary for detailed explanations of optional tours
In the evening all the runners are encouraged to head on over to the Outback Pioneer Hotel pub for an informal get together, a few drinks and some dancing. This is a great way to end your day (food and drinks at own expense).
Included Meals: Breakfast, Brunch at the Race start/Finish
Sunday 29th July 2012
After a leisurely breakfast you are invited to join your fellow competitors in the swimming pool at Sails in the Desert for a post-race Aqua-Aerobics session starting at 10:00h. This is a great way to take any unwanted aches and pains out of your legs and it is also a fun way to wind down.
At 11:30h you will be picked up from your hotel for your tour to Kata Tjuta. On arrival you will commence the 2-3 hour guided moderate (at times strenuous) walk in the valley between the massive red conglomerate rocks. When you reach the Valley of the Winds Lookout, take some time to gaze out over the central valley of Kata Tjuta. Comfortable walking/hiking shoes are recommended and please take plenty of water with you and cover up with a hat and sunscreen. The coach will return to your hotel at approximately 16:00h.
This evening will be one of the highlights of your trip, the Australian Outback Marathon Celebration Dinner. Based on the multi-award winning Sounds of Silence dinner this is an evening not to be missed. The Sounds of Silence experience now forms part of the Australian Tourism Hall of Fame and you will certainly understand why. With a fully hosted multi-course meal, an excellent wine list, an on-site star talker and a marathon slide-show you will remember the Celebration Dinner long after the aches and pains have gone. Buses depart from hotel at 17:40h and return approx. 22:00h.
Included Meals: Breakfast: Dinner
Monday 30th July 2012
Today you will spend the day at the amazing Kings Canyon. After an early breakfast at your hotel you will board our exclusive luxury coach at 08:00h from outside your hotel for the drive through sand hill country towards Kings Canyon. Lunch is included at Kings Canyon Resort and then, for those with a good level of fitness the self-guided rocky climb to the rim of Kings Canyon (taking up to 3 hours) will be rewarded with marvellous views. Alternatively, you may wish to explore the boulder-strewn canyon floor, an easier walk.
You will stop at Kings Creek Station for refreshments (at own expense) before returning to Ayers Rock Resort arriving by 19:00h.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Tuesday 31st July 2012
Today your regular tour ends. After breakfast you check out of your hotel to begin your journey home with a complimentary airport transfer.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Optional Tours
Uluru Sunset Tour – $50
This is a great opportunity to make the most of your 3 day park pass!
Saturday 28th July 2012
Our exclusive coach will depart from your hotel at 17:20h to the Uluru sunset viewing area. Enjoy complimentary canapés and sparkling wine as the sun sets over the western horizon and the evening sky brings out the many shades of colour for which Uluru is famous. The coach will return to your hotel at approximately 19:20h. Don’t forget your camera!
IMPORTANT: Don’t forget your park pass!
Sunset Camel Ride – $109
Saturday 28th July 2012
Begin your peaceful 1 hour camel ride over the big red sand dunes at sunrise or sunset. A ride through this spectacular desert region brings you closer to nature and offers great views of Uluru – Kata Tjuta National Park World Heritage Area. Skilled guides will describe the flora and fauna along the trail. A refreshing glass of sparkling wine or beer and tasty snacks wait at the end of the trail.
The tour departs from your hotel at 16:50h and returns at 19:20h.
Children under 5 years are NOT permitted to ride camels.
Please advise if any guest travelling weighs more than 100kg.
