I was overwhelmed with how well the event was organised, and how delightful the race itself was - beautiful off-road course (I hate racing on bitumen), perfect weather, nice people to chat to before and after, helpful and friendly Travelling Fit staff, good food. It was definitely one of my most memorable and enjoyable race experiences.
Andina Faragher
Australia
Thank you for all of the great organisation it was really appreciated, all of the staff were so friendly and obliging. I had a fabulous trip.
Tracey Moore
Australia
Thanks for the opportunity to have run in such a spectacular setting. Sometimes I think we are oblivious to the beautiful surrounds that we have to run in and I think this was a good wakeup call. It was also great to mix with some very special people. People that I can admire and aspire to be.
Wendy Stibbe
Canberra, Australia
Cassie and I wish to sincerely thank you all for all the hardwork you all did to provide us with an incredible experience and as a mother and daughter will never forget. We still have smiles on our faces when we talk about our amazing 4 days, the people we meet, the things we did. It was amazing to be a part of such a visionary event, we will be forever grateful for your efforts.The natural beauty, vastness of what we ran in served as a reminder that we are just a little molecule and a huge breath taking spiritual land was awaiting us to run though its incredible red earth and sand. I have already told every single runner I know (and a few non runners to motivate them) to consider being part of this life enhancing event. Thank you
Kate Brereton
Australia
Thank you for a wonderful experience! This was my first half marathon & I enjoyed the event so much it has inspired me to sign up for another half marathon in October this year - even though I've never really been a long distance runner.
Neroli Brook
Calgary, Canada
Thank you for a fantastic experience in the desert. The event was incredibly well organised and the atmosphere was excellent. It was a unique, memorable experience that I was delighted to have been able to participate in.
Shaye Hunter
Russian Federation
Thank you for a life changing experience
Nicola Delve
Croydon, Australia
Just a total thank you. When I finished that race in 5.12, you made me feel like I had won it!!
Sally Duncan
Australia
After the Uluru marathon I flew out to Borneo and France for a few weeks and have only just returned. Anyway, now that the red dust has settled, I just wanted to let you know how fantastic the Outback Marathon event was and that it blew my expectations out of the water! Every detail was covered professionally and impeccably. Being my first marathon, it was the most spectacular backdrop and perfect experience. The atmosphere was friendly and electric, the festivities were well planned and executed, the aqua aerobics was a perfect option and the photography was brilliant. They say that word of mouth is the best form of advertising so you will have the best advertising after such an amazing event. Well done to you and your exceptional team.
Megan Davidson
QLD, Australia
Hi Tina, it was great to catch up with you, Michael & Mari-Mar. Thanks for a great experience and a holiday to remember; Ursula and I really enjoyed the whole package, the Uluru sunrise tour, evening BBQ at Sails, The Pasta Party, The Race, the Outback Pioneer unofficial post race party, and not forgetting the Sounds of Silence extravaganza, a wonderful finale to a great event, thanks to all.
Joe & Ursula Clark-Murphy
WA, Australia
Well, my legs mightn't still be aching, but I am certainly still smiling. A huge thanks to you Tina, Mari-Mar, Michael and to everyone else who contributed to last weekend. The Australian Outback Marathon experience was every bit and more that I hoped it would be. I would certainly recommend it to any prospective runners, marathon first-timers or 7 Continent veterans, and I hope to be back myself next year.
Rob Woolley (winner, 2010 Australian Outback Marathon)
NSW, Australia
We just wanted to say a massive thank you for all of your efforts in staging the inaugural Australian Outback Marathon. I (Diana) have a goal to do a marathon in every state/territory in Australia, so when I saw this event advertised, it was not to be missed – and we quickly lined up to participate. We were both highly impressed with how well everything was organised for the event & associated activities – we had an incredible time & thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. It was out first visit to Uluru, and you definitely picked a truly magnificent backdrop for the event. As a walker, I am always a little concerned about how I will be accepted by the marathon running community, but you get a big tick from me for the way I felt accepted and accommodated. We love the photos from the event too – the photographers did a great job & the customised certificates etc are great.
Diana & Hayden Marshall
ACT, Australia
My running buddies and I flew across Australia from SA, NSW and TAS to meet at Uluru and run in the first Outback Half Marathon. The event was really well organised and had a fantastic feel. The didgeridoo starting gun, ochre red sand, and awesome views of the Olgas and Uluru made it a truly unique experience. If you like your runs to be memorable, this event is for you! Thanks Travelling Fit for enabling another of my running dreams to come true. We had a fantastic social running weekend.
Catherine Ford
VIC, Australia
Your Outback was great fun, and the organisation could not have been faulted..well done, and I hope it augers well for the future of the event. I enjoyed the accommodation, and I am glad I arrived early, as I appreciated more of Uluru and I would encourage more early arrivals next year! Take a good break and I hope it was financially viable, it must have been like organising an army over a year or two!
Anne I'Ons
ACT, Australia
I was fortunate enough to be able to attend the 2010 Australian Outback Marathon. There’s no denying this Marathon is different given the fact the majority of the course is off-road. I ran in the Half Marathon and at no point was I challenged by the paths. The tracks were firm and only a few “slight” rises to speak of. The initial km and final 10k was greeted with views of Ayers Rock and I felt privileged to run in an area that is strongly associated with our indigenous culture. The race organisation was first class, no stone was left unturned
Pat Carroll
2.09 Marathoner and Australian Outback Marathon race ambassador
I so thoroughly enjoyed the holiday and the 11km experience. It was probably the best holiday I've ever had, comparing it to the local and overseas holidays I've had. The hosts were fantastic, the running comrades were so amiable and interesting from so many walks of life and the food was glorious. It was also good to relax in a 5 star hotel. The Itinerary 1 package was extremely well put together and I was so glad I got to enjoy as much of Ayers Rock as I could with my running comrades. I hope I get the opportunity to enjoy another fab holiday and run with my beautiful running hosts!!!
Margaret Dos Santos
NSW, Australia
What an amazing experience to run my first 1/2 Marathon at the inaugural Australian Outback Marathon in spectacular Uluru. On a perfect morning for running, I set off with some nervousness wondering what lay ahead of my first 1/2 Marathon. I would have to say I loved every minute of the experience, except perhaps the headwind we encountered at about the 17-18km mark!! The red earth was an amazing sight, along with the camels we came across at the camel ranch. At one point in the run I took a deep breath and said to myself and my fellow running companion, "this is fantastic, some days it's tough going, but this is why we run" (I was looking ahead towards Uluru and had just left the vision of Kata Tjuta behind me). It doesn't get any better than that! A truly memorable experience and one I don't think I could top!
Sandy Broadhead
VIC, Australia
We just wanted to thank you for the opportunity to be part of such a wonderful experience in Ayers Rock! We were both 'virgins' to this wonderful world of running but will definitely be back for more. Rob does a lot of running but I personally, hated it - until now. The location and course was fantastic. I didn't realize how nice it was to run on our very own red dirt! The rain in the days leading up to the event proved a god send. Did I mention the people? They made the event for me that's for sure. From so many different places and backgrounds yet everyone had the same warm 'welcome to the club' way about them. It was just fantastic. I have exchanged e-mail addresses and hope to catch up again, somewhere in the world. None of this could have been possible without the still unknown e-mail Rob received to enter. And of course, without you and your team (especially Tina). So thank you again. We are looking forward to seeing the photos and will be in touch for our next adventure (maybe a full marathon for me next time)
Kelly Russell
WA, Australia
I just finished my 13 hour flight back to the US (ugh!) and so I wanted to write you a quick note to tell you that I thought the marathon was a great experience and the whole team did a fantastic job! Please pass my kudos on to your colleagues. I especially appreciated your attentiveness to our arrangements and it was wonderful to finally meet you in person. I wish I wouldn't have slept so much in the early evening and had more energy to dance and have some fun that night!
Carl Byington
USA
Thanks for all of the hard work that you put into the inaugural Australian Outback Marathon event, you were exquisite hosts and we look forward to travelling with Travelling Fit in the years to come at a future Marathon event. We thoroughly enjoyed itinerary 1, and it was the highlight of our trip to Australia. It was wonderful going on the majestic and awe-inspiring tours of Uluru and Kata Tjuta. We also enjoyed making new friends, and meeting old ones while enjoying unique social outings and Australian foods such as kangaroo, crocodile and barramundi. The race was fantastic (what a wonderful and awesome course!) with excellent photos to remember the unique and memorable Australian Outback, and the medals/memorabilia were of great quality. Thank you once again for engraving Tawnecia's medal to make it extra special for her birthday. Tawnecia is proudly displaying her 1st female half marathon trophy on top of our fireplace in our home, and it was great to feel as "part of the family" of the Australian Outback Marathon with a personal announcement of both of us finishing and a hug from our hosts. We wish you all of the best success with the future of this event, and we both highly recommend the Australian Outback Marathon as not only a marathon, but as an adventure life experience that should be put on every runner/walker's bucket list.
William Tai
Canada
Words are really not adequate to express how much we loved the Outback marathon - not just the race (which has to have been one of the most glorious races on the planet, surely), but the whole few days. What an incredible and wonderful group of people, and so diverse, but all having one main thing in common. Our deepest gratitude to you all, for your outstanding organisation, support whilst we were there, and overall excellent friendship. We will speak so highly of the event that I expect you'll be selling out for 2011 shortly.
Michelle Johnston and Richard Lewis.
WA, Australia
The photos, not of me, but of the surrounding scenery on the day were fantastic, we were very lucky with the weather. It was a great event, very well organised and the best surface to run on. Will be in touch soon I'm sure…
Jen Devaliant
NSW, Australia
Well I'm finally home and managed to run a personal best in the City2Surf in Sydney at the weekend, must be the red centre that had me on a high !! It was an absolutely wonderful experience and you should all be very proud of your success in the organising of such an event!!
Wanda Stewart
ACT, Australia
Let me once again congratulate you on the wonderful Marathon we all experienced. Regarding the testimonial, let me say that " I always took pride in participating in Exotic Marathons in Exotic Locations like the Medoc, Safaricom in Kenya and Reykjavik. After participating in the Australian Outback Marathon, my definition of EXOTIC had changed. There can be nothing more Exotic than this. My wife and I enjoyed this so much and rate this as the best Marathon that we ran so far. Congratulations to all of you and Thank you so much,"
Krishna Prasad
India
