Running 231 kilometres up and down hill along central Australia’s narrow and rocky Larapinta Trail is a gruelling challenge most people will never attempt.
But for Arrernte man Ben Mack completing it would be a dream come true.
“I’ve literally dreamt about this event a number of times, of getting through, but also coming up short,”
he said.
The event he is talking about is the West Macs Monster Trail Running Festival, an annual multi-race event happening this weekend.
Ben Mack took up running after the death of his baby boy. (ABC Alice Springs: Victoria Ellis)
This year’s sold-out festival will see more than 500 people run either 231, 128, 65 or 25 kilometres on the iconic Larapinta Trail in the West MacDonnell/Tjoritja National Park.
The finish line will be at Alice Springs Telegraph Station.
Mr Mack is among 25 runners hoping to finish the 231km Sonder Monster race.
“To get through would be unbelievable because I’ve never seen myself doing something of this magnitude before,” he said.
The Alice Springs resident attempted the race last year, but did not finish after sleep deprivation, dehydration and malnutrition took their toll.
Running to deal with ‘incomprehensible pain’
Mr Mack said he took up running after the death of his baby boy, soon after his birth in 2017.
“When I first lost my son, I used that as an excuse to drink and, you know, essentially destroy myself,” he said.
“Then I came to realise I wasn’t honouring my son’s spirit.”
Ben Mack created team Irrkerlantye in his son’s memory. (ABC Alice Springs: Victoria Ellis)
Mr Mack created Team Irrkerlantye — an Indigenous ultramarathon team from Central Australia — in his son’s memory.
“Along the way, it became not only about him but about all children that have been taken before their time,” he said.
“I’m running for them … and for the parents still dealing with the incomprehensible pain of losing a child.
“Team Irrkerlantye is really about showing others that no matter what you’re dealing with, you are capable of truly amazing things.
“This event, it’s something that can bring that out of people.”
Ben Mack says he is running for all children taken before their time. (ABC Alice Springs: Victoria Ellis)
Mr Mack said the recent loss of Kumanjayi Little Baby near Alice Springs added extra significance to his run.
“With baby girl just recently lost, she’s now a part of our team,” he said.
“I’d just like to say much love and respect to the family. You’re in our thoughts, you’re in our hearts and we are grieving with you.
“I will use that as strength to push me whenever I’m feeling challenged and rest assured that all our children are with us on this endeavour and are moving with us through country.“
The 231km Sonder Monster will start at 9am on Friday, with most runners expected to finish in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Other race start times will be staggered across the weekend.
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