Local lads gunning for new Larapinta FKT

TrailRunMag 06.04.2018

ALICE LOCALS PREPARE TO SET NEW RECORD ON LARAPINTA TRAIL
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In 2014, Alice Springs local, Chris Macaskill-Hants, set a new, supported fastest known time (FKT) end-to-end record for the 231km Larapinta Trail of 61 hours and 32 minutes. For a track so remote, so challenging underfoot and so long, this was truly remarkable and the record Chris set still stands today.

On April 27-29, 2018, two Alice Springs locals, Simon Duke and Rohan Rowling will be attempting to set a new record for covering the whole 231kms of the Larapinta Trail’s 12 sections in an “unsupported accompanied fastest known time attempt”.

TheIMG_1547_1_-d8b9dac26e22a7bf26957d1afbaec569y are also raising funds for Beyond Blue at https://give.everydayhero.com/au/larapinta-trail-fastest-known-time-attempt.

The attempt will see them pushing their bodies to the absolute limit with the attempt involving a maximum of 8 hours sleep and more than 50 hours on their feet on rough terrain, culminating at the Telegraph Station trailhead some time on Sunday 29th April, 2018.

Simon says of their motivation for the attempt:

“In Central Australia we are so fortunate to have the Larapinta Trail and all of the sites along the way on our doorstep….the trail is truly inspiring. Having said that we are just a couple of locals who want to push and test the limits of our physical and mental endurance who heard of Chris’s record, did the maths and thought we should give it a red hot go.”

Larapinta Trail Trek Support has provided SPOT tracking devices to help verify the attempt and local outdoor store Lone Dingo has also been of great assistance with advice, gear and nutrition.

Simon and Rohan hope to set a new record, inspire others to walk or run the trail and raise awareness of mental health through their fundraising for Beyond Blue.

 

Simon is married with two children and works in the recreation industry in Alice Springs. Simon has previously walked the trail over 12 days, completed various marathon distance events and is a melanoma survivor.

Rohan is married with 4 children and works as a teacher in Alice Springs. Rohan has also completed various marathon distance events and for many years has played football locally.