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Curls of heat distort the landscape, as the sounds of a stampede are heard along a rural track.
But it is not emus or horses or wild pigs … it is the Outback Run Club.
It is still close to 40 degrees Celsius at dusk some days in Longreach, western Queensland.
While many people try to avoid exercising in extreme heat, this group started because of it.
"It really helped keep us accountable when you want to keep your fitness up over the hot summers here," founding member Michaela Mulder said.
Michaela Mulder and Madi Mahoney started the Outback Run Club. (ABC Western Qld: Peter Quattrocelli)
Shops in the main street limit their hours and some locals leave town to escape the heat of summer, which can reach the mid-40s in Longreach.
"We really have to change our times around to either go really early or quite late in the afternoon," Ms Mulder said.
"It's a good way to get everyone together in town and into a healthy habit.
"I think often there can be a lot of unhealthy habits out in these outback towns."
Keen runners take up the challenge to run 27km from Longreach to Ilfracombe. (Supplied: Michaela Mulder)
The club just marked the milestone of its first birthday, running last Sunday morning before plunging into the Thomson River to cool off.
Community and connection
What started as a handful of keen runners wanting to keep each other motivated, has grown into a social hub that meets twice a week.
"I think the best part is the community," Ms Mulder said.
The park run track in Longreach is long and flat. (Supplied: Michaela Mulder)
"It's not just a solo sport, you can chat to other people, get tips on your training … or just have a really nice chat about your week afterwards at coffee."
Local runner Vol Norris said it was a great way to meet people in town he would not usually cross paths with.
"I like the heat … it's tiring but something about going into the heat and doing something active and then you can feel like you've earned being lazy for the rest of the day when you're back in air conditioning," he said.
The Longreach club has inspired runners in nearby town Barcaldine.
"Seeing a small town come together for something like this is inspiring," organiser Scott Walker said.
Running in outback heat
Local physiotherapist Jacob McClarty said key factors to consider when training in the outback were staying hydrated, exercising at the coolest times of day and knowing when to take it easy.
“5:30pm onwards is when it starts to cool down to a more reasonable working temperature for the body,” he said.
Longreach runners enjoy a rainbow during training. (Supplied: Michaela Mulder)
Mr McClarty also recommended going slowly or walking on particularly hot days, or if runners were returning to the sport after a break.
“If it’s hot … take it easy,” he said.
“If you haven’t exercised for a little while, don’t expect your body to be able to necessarily be able to jump straight back in. Modulate your intensity; take it easy.”
Mr McClarty stressed the importance of exercising "in a collective".
"You want to make sure that if something goes wrong, you're not stranded out there," he said.
"The beauty of run club and park run is there's plenty of people around and they're all looking out for each other."