Itineraries - Diamond

Thursday 27 July

Today is your arrival day at Yulara and the Ayers Rock Resort. You will be met at the airport by a member of the Australian Outback Marathon team and transferred to the resort 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-custom-made running top (if booked prior to 12 May 2023).

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.

Please note that the standard check-in time is 3pm and there will be a luggage storage area available if required.

At 4:15pm we will gather at the reception area of the Outback Pioneer Hotel for a hosted warm-up run, which is your first opportunity to sample the “red 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. Please make your way to the Outback Pioneer lobby by 4:15pm, otherwise we will meet you at 3:55pm in the lobby of either Sails in the Desert or Desert Gardens to escort you to the start of the hosted warm-up run

At 6:30pm we will all gather together for the first of your Australian Outback Marathon dining experiences, our exclusive Outdoor Welcome Dinner at the Sails in the Desert Hotel poolside. 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.

Please make sure to wear warm clothing

There will also be a bar at this function (credit card only). Drinks can be purchased at the main bar adjacent and charged to your room.

Included Meals: Dinner

Friday 28 July

You will be up before dawn today and escorted on a private coach departing from your hotel at 6:25am to see one of the many wonders of the area; the sunrise over Uluru. Please be in the lobby of your hotel by 6:15am at the latest. A breakfast bag is included.

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 around, fear not as your private coach will pick you up at the 6.5km viewing area and take you to the Cultural Centre. The full circuit of Uluru is just less than 10km. Tea and Coffee will also be available.

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 custodians of the land. The tour returns to your hotel at around 1:00pm but if you wish to leave earlier, we will also have coaches departing from the Cultural Centre throughout the morning.

Note: Your 3-day Uluru/Kata Tjuta National Park entry pass is included in the tour and will be in your registration pack. Please remember to bring it with you and note that we are not able to provide you with your pass earlier and we are not able to replace it if you lose/damage it.

At 4:00pm 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 on the grass by the Town Square beside the Amphitheatre, near the Sails in the Desert Hotel. This will be immediately followed by the mandatory Australian Outback Marathon Opening Ceremony and Race Briefing starting at 5:00pm. The merchandise will be available once again after the briefing for approximately 1 hour. To avoid queueing we recommend paying with cash rather than credit card. There is an ATM located approximately 100m away in the town square.

The Opening Ceremony and Race Briefing are mandatory as there will 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 6:30pm 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.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Saturday 29 July

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 5:00am at your hotel (not applicable if you are camping or on a “No Accommodation” package). Our private fleet of coaches will pick you up from the lobby of your hotel at 6:30am to take you to the race start so please don’t be late! Note: it can get very cold in the mornings in the Australian Outback so please be sure to bring something warm to wear prior to the race start.

Sunrise is approximately 7:30am 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 7:45am the 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 8:30am.

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 as well as delicious hot soup for you once you have completed the race. There will also be a “gold coin donation” sausage sizzle, with 100% of all proceeds going to the Anangu Communities Foundation. All competitors are encouraged to stay until the end 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 return to the finishing line to cheer on the last runners as they complete their journey.

Saturday afternoon/evening Optional Tours

• If you have booked the Sunset Camel Tour you will be collected from your hotel at 4:35pm. Please be in your hotel lobby at 4:25pm ready to leave.
• If you have booked the Uluru Sunset Coach Tour you will be collected from your hotel at 5:20pm. Please be in your hotel lobby at 5:10pm ready to leave.
• Afternoon or Sunset Helicopter flight (must be booked in advance) – you will be picked up from your hotel according to your flight time.

In the evening all the runners are encouraged to head on over to the Outback Pioneer Pub for an informal get together, food and a few drinks. This is a great way to end your day (food and drinks at own expense).

Included Meals: Breakfast, Brunch/Lunch (at the Race Start/Finish area)

Sunday 30 July

Breakfast is at your hotel this morning for all those on an accommodation package. At 9:00am we will have our instructors on hand at Sails in the Desert Poolside to take you through a fantastic, free “post-race” warm down and stretch session. 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.

All “lost property” can also be collected from Sails Poolside between 9:00am and 10:00am and there will be an opportunity to also purchase any remaining merchandise. Please note that if any items that you have left either at the start or on one of the aid stations are not collected at this time, they will be donated to the Anangu Communities Foundation on your behalf.

You can also make additional shoe donations at this time.

OPTIONAL TOURS

There are three optional daytime tours available to you should you wish to take advantage of them (at own expense);

• If you have booked the Sunrise Camel Tour you will be collected from your hotel at 6:20am. Please be in your hotel lobby at 6:10am ready to leave.
• Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) “Valley of the Winds” Walk (a great opportunity to make the most of your 3 day park pass!) – Departs 10:30am and returns approx. 3:30pm – please bring water and snacks
• Helicopter Ride with Professional Helicopter Services (must be booked in advance)

Should you decide to stay at the resort the day is free for you do explore on your own or alternatively simply rest and relax by the pool.

This evening will be one of the highlights of your trip, the exclusive Australian Outback Marathon Celebration Dinner.  Based on the multi-award winning Sounds of Silence dinner this is an evening not to be missed.  We start with sunset drinks and canapés on a dune top overlooking Uluru and Kata Tjuta, and then follow this with a fully hosted multi-course meal, an excellent wine list, an on-site star talker, a marathon slide-show and closing presentations.  You will remember the Celebration Dinner long after the aches and pains have gone. Buses will depart from your hotel promptly at 4:40pm and return at approximately 10:00pm when the “after party” will gather at the Walpa bar at Sails in the Desert.

Note: Please make sure you are at the reception of your hotel at 4:30pm. Please do not be late for the departure as we are unable to hold the coaches for you if you are not there.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Celebration Dinner

Monday 31 July

MONDAY MORNING OPTIONAL TOUR

• Helicopter Ride with Professional Helicopter Services (must be booked in advance)

 Today your regular tour ends.  After breakfast you check out of your hotel to begin your journey homewards (with a complimentary airport transfer).

Included Meals: Breakfast

Note that your transfer to the airport will leave the reception area of your hotel 2 hours prior to your flight – please refer to the signs in reception for more details.

Optional Tour – Uluru Sunset Coach Tour

Cost per Person- $60

This is a great opportunity to make the most of your 3 day park pass!

Our exclusive coach will depart from your hotel at 5:20pm 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 7:05pm.

IMPORTANT: Don’t forget your park pass and your camera!

Optional Tour – Sunset Camel Tour (SOLD OUT)

Cost per Person – $145 – SOLD OUT

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 4:35pm and returns at 7:05pm (times are approximate).

• Children under 5 years are NOT permitted to ride camels.
• Please advise if any guest travelling weighs more than 100kg.
• Places are extremely limited and are allocated on a first come/first served basis.

Optional Tour – Sunrise Camel Tour

Cost per Person – $145

Breathe in the cool morning air as you ride your friendly camel for one hour through the desert landscape as dawn breaks over Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Watch the desert come to life and learn about the flora and fauna along the trail from your knowledgeable cameleer.

After the ride enjoy freshly baked beer bread damper with quandong jam and a cup of tea or freshly brewed coffee. Explore the camel museum and gift shop before we return you to your hotel.

The tour departs from your hotel at 6:20am and returns at 8:50am (times are approximate).

• Children under 5 years are NOT permitted to ride camels.
• Please advise if any guest travelling weighs more than 100kg.
• Places are extremely limited and are allocated on a first come/first served basis.

Optional Tour – Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) “Valley of the Winds” Walk

Cost per Person – $49 *

You will be picked up from your hotel at 10:30am for your tour to Kata Tjuta where your driver/guide will explain the geological history of these giant domes. Your driver/guide will then escort you on a 2-3 hour moderate (at times strenuous) walk in the valley between the massive red conglomerate rocks. Marvel at the unique flora and fauna that has survived in this harsh environment.

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 3:30pm – 4:00pm.

Don’t forget your camera!

* Lunch is not included on this tour so all guests are encouraged to purchase refreshments and additional water at the town square prior to the tour commencing.

Optional Tour – Professional Helicopter Services

Professional Helicopter Services are offering some fantastic tours for All Australian Outback Marathon Participants

Your choice of five amazing flights, all with a 5% discount off the retail price

These tours can be booked at any time prior to your arrival at Ayers Rock Resort.

Note: Bookings are essential so as to ensure you get the departure time that suits you.