Northern Territory Chief Minister Natasha Fyles was left in tears on Sunday after anti-fracking protesters harassed her while she was competing in the West Macs Monster.
Hundreds of runners descended on the Larapinta Trail this weekend for the trail running festival, which is one of Australia's toughest outback events.
Ms Fyles was accosted by dozens of protesters while running the final 5 kilometres of the 25km race, with a group chasing her with anti-fracking signs as she reached the finish line.
Police were called and attended soon after. No arrests were made.
Speaking to the ABC on Monday morning, Ms Fyles said it wasn't "the time or place" for the protest.
"Fifty per cent of the participants were from outside Central Australia and Alice Springs, and people were there for their personal goals and accomplishments," she said.
"And I think it was disappointing for the race organisers, who put so much effort into the race and making it a professional race."
In a statement, the event organisers said they were "disappointed by the actions" of the protesters.
"We acknowledge that everyone is entitled to their own views on sensitive matters and are entitled to their political beliefs. This however appeared to be a personal attack on Natasha who was a participant in the 25km event and not there in an official capacity," the statement read.
"Further, it is a family-friendly event that brings hundreds of people to Alice Springs each year. These actions were not aligned to the safe community spirit of the event that we strive to deliver."
Calls to halt Beetaloo mining
The protest was organised by the Central Australian Frack Free Alliance, which opposes the NT government's green-lighting of a full-scale onshore gas industry in the Beetaloo Basin.
Organiser Jorgen Doyle said about 30 people participated.
He rejected Ms Fyles' criticism of the protest.
"Everywhere is going to be the time and the place to protest," he said.
"We would have loved it if the entire NT government cabinet was running in yesterday's race and we could have targeted all of them."
Federal politicians, including Member for Lingiari Marion Scrymgour, have called for an urgent halt on mining approvals in the Beetaloo following concerns that the recommendations to reduce fracking risks in the region haven't been met.
These concerns are being echoed by local protesters, who claim the chief minister has been telling "blatant lies" about the project's emissions and veto rights for traditional owners.
Almost 200 protesters also gathered outside the Alice Springs Convention Centre on Friday to protest the issue, as federal Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen met with state and territory energy ministers.
West Macs Monster wraps up
The West Macs Monster wrapped up in Central Australia on Sunday with hundreds crossing the finish line.
Alice Springs local Simon Duke smashed the course record for the 231km Sonder Monster, recording a time of 39 hours, 56 minutes and 26 seconds.
It beat the previous record of 40 hours, 55 minutes and 18 seconds set in 2019 by Shane Johnstone from Western Australia.
"As much as I love running, I think it's important not to put your identity on whether you achieve something or not," Mr Duke told the ABC on Monday.
"So I suppose going in with more of a learning mindset, so regardless of the outcome, you feel like a winner because you learn something from it."
Meanwhile New South Wales ultra-trail runner Meghann Coffey set a new course record in the female category of the Sonder Monster, running 47 hours, 11 minutes, and 38 seconds.
She surpassed the previous record set by fellow NSW runner Liz Woodgate in 2021, by nearly 10 hours.
