50 MILE /

HEYSEN EXPERIENCE

REGISTER

The 50 Miler is a North-to-South blast beginning at the legendary Heysen Trail Head in Parachilna Gorge. You’ll be crossing paths with all of the other course distances through the Aroona, Trezona, Yanyanna, and Wilcolo Aid Stations before arriving at Ikara and starting the Tanderra Saddle loop. The sun is your ultimate opponent, and it’s worth racing it to catch a magical sunset on the Tanderra Saddle summit.

We’ve added the 65 km Heysen Experience option for runners who want to experience the 50 Mile course without the Tanderra Saddle Loop. Everything else about the event is the same, but it’ll be shorter.

RESOURCES

OVERVIEW

Registration:

  • Friday 1 May, 3 pm - 5 pm including race briefing

  • Wilpena Visitor Centre

Start:

  • Saturday 2 May, 7 am

  • Parachilna Trail Head. An optional shuttle bus will take runners to the start. Book your seat during registration.

Finish:

  • Wilpena Pound Visitor Centre

  • Cut off: Sunday 2 May, 2 am

Presentations:

  • 10 am Sunday

50 Mile Course - Last updated 7 April, 2025

Heysen Experience Course - Last updated 10 May 2026

OTHER COURSES

PHOTO GALLERY

Group of people trail running in a mountainous desert landscape with dry hills and sparse vegetation, under a clear blue sky.
Group of five runners jogging on a dirt trail in a desert landscape with mountains in the background.
A man in a colorful marathon outfit with the number 509 is adjusting his gear under a small outdoor canopy. A woman with short red hair and a black shirt, smiling, is pouring water from a bottle. There are various supplies on a table and a trailer in
A group of trail runners running on a dirt path through a desert landscape with mountains in the background, wearing athletic gear and backpacks.
Two men hiking on a rocky trail in a mountainous area with trees and rolling hills in the background, wearing outdoor gear and backpacks.
A person standing on a dirt trail in a desert landscape with sparse vegetation, with mountains in the background under a clear blue sky.
A man running on a dirt trail in a desert landscape with mountains and trees in the background, wearing a hat, sunglasses, colorful shirt, shorts, and running gear.
Two women trail running in a desert landscape with mountains in the background under a clear blue sky.
A man running outdoors in a forest, wearing a yellow shirt, black shorts, and a white wide-brimmed hat, with a hydration pack and race bib number 507.
A man running outdoors on a trail, wearing black athletic gear, a cap with sunglasses on top, and a race bib numbered 032, smiling during a trail race.
Group of people standing outdoors in front of a stone wall, dressed in athletic gear with backpacks and numbered bibs, preparing for a race or hike, mountain in background, sunny weather.
People hiking on a trail in a dry, rocky landscape with scattered shrubs and trees under a clear blue sky.
An older man in running gear, holding a water bottle, smiling, at a nighttime race event near the finish line.
A woman hiking on a dirt trail through a forest with bare, charred trees and green shrubbery.
Two women trail running in a desert landscape with mountains in the background, one of them is jumping with arms outstretched, holding a trekking pole in her raised hand, both smiling and wearing athletic gear and sunglasses.
A person hiking on a dirt trail through a desert landscape with trees and mountains in the background.
An older man with glasses, a white cap, and gray beard, running on a forest trail during daytime, wearing a gray athletic shirt, black shorts, and a black hydration vest with water bottles.
A man sitting on a brick ledge with a race bib, wearing a cap, a race vest, and a medal, appears exhausted.
Male trail runner wearing sunglasses, hat, red shirt, yellow shorts, and a black backpack, running in a desert landscape with mountains and sparse vegetation under a clear blue sky.
Two women running on a dirt trail in a desert landscape with hills in the background, wearing athletic gear and sunglasses, and smiling.
Group of runners with race bibs, standing outdoors in a wooded area, preparing for a race with banners and tents in the background.
Hiker walking on a dirt trail through a desert landscape with trees and bushes, with hills in the distance under a clear blue sky.
A woman running in a race is holding a metal pole and stepping over a bar. She is wearing a cap, sunglasses, a blue shirt, black shorts, and a green race bib. The scene is in a desert-like area with trees and mountains in the background. There is a r
A person hiking on a rocky trail through a dry, mountainous landscape with trees and shrubs, under bright sunlight.

2026 50 Mile Runner

“Bib pick up, course markings, aid stations, vibe , location - all brilliant! I’m spreading the word and will be bringing up a big crew.”

2026 50 Mile Runner

“Fabulous event, well organised and thoroughly enjoyable.”

Two women hiking outdoors in a desert landscape, one jumping with arms outstretched and the other smiling and holding a mountain bike. Both are wearing athletic gear and sunglasses.