The inaugural takayna ultramarathon isn’t a normal footrace. It’s a rugged and environmentally conscious ultramarathon and fundraiser — limited to just 100 entrants —  aiming to raise awareness and funds to protect the threatened Tarkine rainforest in North West Tasmania.

The takayna Ultra

The Tarkine is one of the wildest places on Earth and the takayna ultra plans to run through it.

The 70km ultramarathon route will take participants through grass plains and coastal eucalypt forests, across open beaches and dunes and along jagged rocky shorelines.

But be warned, this isn’t a race for the inexperienced or faint-hearted. Applicants must be over 18 and be able to show evidence of having completed at least one ultramarathon (50km).

Hosted by the Bob Brown Foundation, the ultramarathon aims to raise funds and increase awareness to protect the wild coast of the Tarkine.

Check out the event page for more info on the race and entry requirements.

Read more: 8 Things You Can Do To Save The Tarkine

What is takayna / Tarkine?

‘Comprising just 7% of Tasmania, the Tarkine contains the nation’s largest temperate rainforest, a galaxy of its rare and endangered wildlife and some of the richest Aboriginal heritage in the hemisphere.’

– Bob Brown Foundation

The Tarkine area is under continued threat and damage from logging, mining and 4WDing. These activities are causing irreversible damage to the natural and historical environment along the Tasmanian coastline.

Read more: Talking Conservation With Dr Bob Brown And Rick Ridgeway

The takayna Campaign

In 2018, Patagonia partnered with the Bob Brown Foundation to produce takayna. Their goal is to have the area nominated as a World Heritage Area by 2020 and the land returned to Aboriginal ownership.

Since the release of the film, 274,000 people from around the world have signed the petition in support of World Heritage protection. The petition has now been presented to the Federal Parliament. It’s the largest petition of its kind ever tabled in the Senate.

Not a keen runner? Let’s face it, 70km is a bloody long way — luckily you can still support the cause by donating to runners online.

Feature photo by K. Wright