Iconic Alice Springs Masters Games Opening Weekend Success

The Alice Springs Masters Games kicked off with great fanfare, drawing thousands of attendees to the Red Centre over the opening weekend. The eight-day event began on Saturday, 12 October, featuring an opening ceremony, with nearly 2,000 people in attendance at TIO Traeger Park.

The ceremony highlighted the spirit of the Games with an athlete’s march, a Welcome to Country, and a smoking ceremony, and inspirational words from Ambassador Nathan Buckley, Games Patron Olympic champion Dawn Fraser, Alice Springs Mayor Matt Patterson and Minister for Major Events Marie-Clare Boothby setting the tone for a week of sports and celebration.

Concert performances by Australian rock band Taxiride, featuring Jason Singh, and country artist Brad Cox added to the festivities.

With competitions across 23 sports, participants will compete for medals in over 50 events, including orienteering, a 15km trail run, and a 30-35km mountain biking challenge. The Games, known as ‘The Games with Heart,’ welcome athletes of varying abilities and ages, with some events open to competitors as young as 25.

In addition to the sports, the week features night markets, sports-themed trivia nights, and cultural experiences for attendees eager to explore Central Australia. The ASMG, which began in 1986, is the second oldest Masters Games in the world and aims to promote fun and inclusivity while showcasing the stunning landscapes and rich history of the region.

The event is delivered by the Northern Territory Major Events Company on behalf of the Northern Territory Government, making it a significant occasion for both athletes and the local community. More more than 1,200 competitors, this year’s Games promise to be a memorable celebration of sports and camaraderie.

Alice Springs local Brandon Graves claimed the Games first gold medal of the Games, as the overall winner of the 15 km trail run. Eighteen runners took part, at Simpson’s Gap, in the event, with nine securing gold medals in a remarkable show of effort.

The First Games record was broken yesterday by none other than the legendary Debbie Page.

Debbie took on the 10 km road walk, aiming to surpass the previous record in the over-65 category. She was thrilled with her achievement, having reached a personal goal she had set for herself before the competition. Debbie set her sights high before the 10 km road walk, researching the NT Masters record held by Darwin walker Ruth Garden with a time of 1:23:01.