Ultramarathoner Crushes Larapinta Trail Record by 5 Hours in Australia

Polish Ultramarathoner Piotr Babis Sets New Record on Australia’s Larapinta Trail

Piotr Babis, a Polish ultramarathoner, has etched his name into the annals of history by becoming the fastest person to complete the challenging 230-kilometer Larapinta Trail in Australia without any external support. This remarkable feat shattered the previous record, set in 2018 at 58 hours and 48 minutes, by an astonishing five-hour margin, with Babis completing the grueling run in just 53 hours and 50 minutes.

This accomplishment was particularly remarkable as it marked Babis’s first-ever attempt at the cross-country challenge in northern Australia. He explained, “When I started out, there was a point where I thought I could go a little bit faster than the record. But then you get into those slower sections, and I actually started questioning if I can go on below 58 hours, but I got a second wind and finished strong.“

Babis, an experienced athlete with a history of running worldwide, faced the added challenge of being self-sufficient during this unsupported run, necessitating that he carry his own safety equipment, food, and water. Beginning on the evening of August 17th at 5:31 PM, he carefully calculated that he needed 17,000 calories to sustain him for two and a half days, relying on a diet that included jellybeans, nuts, and pre-cooked fried eggs.

Among the difficulties he encountered, Babis cited sleep as one of the most challenging aspects of the run, managing to rest for only around five minutes over two days. With the harsh contrast between freezing cold nights and scorching hot days, sleep deprivation led to hallucinations. He recalled, “There was this big chunk of wood or branch which looked like a witch. It really scared me at first. I only had a sleep after the second sunrise at Standley Chasm. I just lay down on the dirt trail and had a beautiful five-minute nap, which was rejuvenating.“

Nearly 54 hours after setting off on the arduous 230-kilometer journey, Babis reached an old telegraph station near Alice Springs, where he was greeted by 10 people, including former record-holder Simon Duke. Duke even brought a wheelbarrow, just in case Babis couldn’t walk to the car.

Reflecting on his remarkable achievement, Babis said, “I got home and went to bed, woke up six hours later and went to work. I went back on the Larapinta Trail for a 60-kilometer, six-day hiking tour.”