Unique running events in Northern Territory you should try

Here is your local cheat sheet to the best running events in the Territory, plus the tips only locals would know.

Run your outback trail festival, Robin Falls

When: 20 to 22 August 2027

Where: Robin Falls, about an hour and a half south of Darwin

You can choose from a 7km night run on the Friday, up to a 56km ultra on the Sunday, with an 18km and 28km option in between and a 1km Kids' run for the little ones.

Local tip:

• The course runs on fire break dirt roads and rocky single track, so trail shoes are your best friend here, not road runners.
• Pack a headtorch if you are doing the Friday night 7km, the outback gets dark fast once the sun drops.
• If you are driving down from Darwin, keep an eye out for cattle and wildlife on the road once you lose the light, it is a quiet stretch of highway.
• Most runners camp onsite for the weekend, so bring a swag or tent and make a proper weekend of it rather than driving back and forth from Darwin.

Registration and full course details are on the event website.

Alice Springs Masters Games

When: 10 to 17 October 2026

Where: Alice Springs

Known locally as the Friendly Games, this one has been running since 1986 and the whole town gets behind it. Running and walking options include a 5km walk, two different 6km trail runs, a 10km walk, a 10km run, and a half marathon.

Local tip:

• Minimum age of 25 as of 31 December 2026 is required to be eligible to participate.
• October in Alice is warm, but the mornings are still chilly, so layer up early and shed it as the sun comes up.
• Alice Springs fills up fast during Masters Games week, so book your accommodation well ahead if you are flying down from Darwin or interstate.
• Give yourself some extra time either side to explore the West MacDonnell Ranges. You have come all this way so make it count.

Full event and registration details are on the Alice Springs Masters Games website.

West Macs Monster, Larapinta Trail

When: 14 to 16 May 2027, entries open 1 October 2026

Where: Larapinta Trail, West MacDonnell Ranges

This is the big one for anyone chasing a proper Territory bucket list challenge. The Larapinta Trail is one of Australia's great hikes, and the West Macs Monster turns it into a full length, non-stop ultra. There is a full 231km option, plus 128km, 65km, and 25km distances, and a family friendly 5km, all finishing at the Historic Alice Springs Telegraph Station.

Local tip:

• Entries open on 1 October, and spots for the longer distances go quickly, so if this is on your list, set a reminder.
• Some distances have qualifying criteria, so check the fine print on the event site before you plan your training around it.
• The Telegraph Station finish line is a beautiful spot, get there early to cheer on the ultra runners coming in through the night.

Credit: Forktail Films, West Macs Monster

Head to the West Macs Monster website for distances, entry, and course maps.

The Track Outback race, Alice Springs to Uluru

When: 12 to 21 May 2027

Where: Alice Springs to Uluru

Not for the faint hearted. This is a self-supported, 520km race run over 9 stages and 10 days, starting in the West MacDonnell Ranges and finishing near Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Runners carry their own gear, food, and equipment between checkpoints, camping out under the stars each night.

Local tip:

• This is a serious multi day expedition race, so it is one to watch rather than a spontaneous entry.
• If you know someone taking it on, the drive between Alice Springs and Uluru is one of the most iconic in the country. Consider following along and turning it into your own Red Centre road trip.

Credit: The Track Australia

Details are on the event website.

NT City2Surf, Darwin

When: 6 June 2027

Where: Darwin

The Territory's answer to the classic city to surf run, minus the surf and plus a tropical finish. The 13km run starts on the Darwin Esplanade and finishes at Mindil Beach Reserve, with a 4km run or walk and a Kids' mile also starting and finishing at Mindil.

Local tip:

• June sits right in the middle of the dry season, so expect clear skies and pleasant running temperatures by Darwin standards.
• There is a free charter bus, running from Mindil Beach to the Esplanade before the event, so you can park at the finish line and travel to the start line by this charter bus. That’s a great chance to help lower the event’s carbon footprint!
• Don’t forget to stick around after you finish, Mindil Beach in the dry season is stunning at that time of morning. It is also a great one to do as a group or a work team, the community atmosphere is hard to beat.

Credit: Visit the Northern Territory

More info is on the NT City2Surf website.

Planning your Territory running trip

A few things worth knowing before you book anything:

• Season matters more here than anywhere else in Australia. The Top End (Darwin and surrounds) has a wet season and a dry season, not four seasons like down south. Dry season, roughly May to October, is when most running events happen because the weather is far more pleasant.
• Central Australia runs on a different clock. Alice Springs and the Red Centre get genuinely cold overnight in winter and can still be warm by midday, so make sure to pack enough layers.
• Book flights and accommodation early for event weeks. Alice Springs in particular fills up fast during Masters Games and other major events.
• Hydration and sun protection are not optional. Even on a mild Territorian day , the sun is strong. Carry more water than you think you need.
• Turn it into a trip, not just a race. Every one of these events sits close to something worth staying an extra day or two for, whether that is the Red Centre or Darwin’s beaches and markets.

Thinking about making the move to a place where a Sunday run might finish at a beach or a spot like these? Sign up to our newsletter today and have a look at what life in the Territory looks like for you.