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IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR WAIHI.
We are very privileged to have access to some wonderful tracks through some amazing native bush around the Karangahake Gorge area. We also want to keep the bush that way!! The Kauri Dieback Disease is thought to be a soil-borne species that basically root's Kauri tress, and kills them. No good at all! So please ALL follow these steps below, and if you have been running or driving in area's known to have the disease (most areas of native bush) please be extra vigilant when washing your shoes, and car tyres!
Check out this web page for more information on how you can help stop the spread.
Printable Entry Form |
available when event open |
Driving Directions to Event Base |
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Waihi Accommodation |
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Maps and Elevations |
XTERRA_Waihi_Marathon |
Click here to download Waihi Accommodation pdf (83pdf)
Welcome to the XTERRA Trail Challenge, in stunning Waihi! So pleased you've found us.
We are all about getting you, your mates, and your family to some of the best off-road locations around, and getting you off the roads and onto somestunning trails - this couldnt be truer than with the XTERRA Trail Challenge - Waihi. Big on fun in a casual, low key environment, you are going to have a blast!
The XTERRA Trail Challenge is the culmination of the popular XTERRA Auckland Trail Run / Walk series, a series of 6 events that have been held May - Sep this year in some of the best off-road locations in and around the greater Auckland region. The XTERRA Trail Challenge is open to off-road and trail enthusiasts of all ages, abilities and levels of "keenness'!
For those of you who like to make it a even more of a challenge or who have a couple of screws loose :) this year we have the 60km Ultra Marathon. This is a truly epic course and will go down as one of the best ultra marathons in the country. Alias the "Kaimai Killer" will make you burn. Keep an eye on the site over the next couple of months as the specific details of this one evolve!
Please note: Those of you that entered the XTERRA Auckland Series, in case some of you were unsure, this does not include entry into the XTERRA Trail Challenge. Of course we would love to have each and everyone of you down at Waihi, but you will have to enter separate.
You do NOT have to be a super athlete to enjoy this series! We welcome walkers in the Short and Mid course options.
Event distance options include;
Start times are shown in the left hand column. We've made it easy for you to gather the entire gang, irrespective of varying fitness and age levels, and head out of the city for an action-packed family outing. The Mid, Short and Long courses are available as walks too, so one event you may get to stretch out in the long or marathon while your partner takes a wee whipper snapper or two around the mid or short course.
Payment options include;
All entry options above (except Family and Kids options) will incur a $7 fee for on the day entries, i.e. If you are entering the Mid course then the price goes from $48 to 55 on the day.
Whether you are already entered, or entering on the day, please arrive at the event base at least 45 minutes before your designated start time.
FRIDAY EVENING REGISTRATION: We will be opening pre-registration on Friday evening from 4pm - 9pm at the Waihi Information Centre (126 Seddon Street). This is a great opportunity for any locals and everyone that is staying in town the night before the race to pick up everything you need to be ready to go on Saturday morning!
Individual entrants:
Your race number, timing transponder and sponsors goodies can be picked up from the event base on the day also. We recommend checking into this area at least 45 minutes prior to your scheduled start time.
Series entrants:
Sorry, but if you entered the XTERRA Auckland Trail run/walk series, this doesn't cover your entry into this one.
On the day entrants:
No problem if you want to turn up on the day, or at the Friday night registration and enter, we'll be ready for you. Please arrive at least 45 minutes before your scheduled event start time if entering on Saturday morning.
Payment prices are listed above, and payment options include;
The event base (plus start /finish area) is located at the Dickey Flat camp ground, around 15 minutes out of Waihi (heading through the Karangahake Gorge road). We will be open and raring to go from 6am on event day.
Compulsory event briefings will be held 15 minutes before the start of each event - please be at these!
Ultra - TBC
Marathon - 07.00am
Long - 09.00am
Mid - 09.30am
Short - 10.00am
Famous for its gold mining - both past and present - the township of Waihi is located at the foot of the Coromandel Peninsula, approx 1 hr 45 min drive from Auckland International airport, an hour from Hamilton and 45 minutes from Tauranga. The town has a resident population of approx 4,500 people and is known as New Zealand's Heart of Gold - for reasons that will become plainly obvious when you arrive!
The event itself will be based in and around the historic Karangahake Gorge which has a myriad of old tramping, rail and tramway tracks completely surrounded in native bush. XTERRA Trail Challenge Waihi has an event for everyone from the casual weekly walker who wants to come and have a great weekend on some spectacular trails, to the slightly more serious and/or competitive runners.
As in previous years, the XTERRA Trail Challenge will double as the national trail running champs. The championships focus will be on the long course distance (19km), and with prize money and XTERRA Hawaii world championship spots on the line, this will once again be fiercely competitive. Remember though, this is only a small part of the event. The majority of the field will be made up of people just like you, good people just out for a great run or walk in a great part of gods own!
Distance:
7.3km
Course Elevation
130m
Course Overview:
This one's a cracker and it starts with a short blat up the gravel road and back down through a short section of farm land to spread you out before hitting a couple of swing bridges (walking only please). You will then follow the Waitawheta River through the awesome, flat Waitawheta Gorge. And for something a little different, you will pass through a short tunnel on this section - we will place lights in the tunnel, however, bring your own torch or head lamp if you have one. Also, it is strictly walking only through the tunnels please. You will then cross over to the left hand side of the gorge and head down the Historic Crown Tramway Track, before getting to your drink station at roughly the half way mark. From there you will head up and into one of the gem's of the Karangahake Gorge, the 'Window's Walk'. Running and walking next to the old pipe lines and cart lines, you really get a sense of the history of the area. While in the tunnelled windows area please strictly stick to a walk and be aware of other visitors to the area. From there you will head back on the wide, gentle Crown Track where you will have great views of the mighty Waitawheta River throughout. Cross back over another 2 swing bridges, loop around Dicky flat Campsite, and head to the picturesque finish line next to the river.
Road/Trail used:
Crown Track, Crown Tramway Track, Windows Walk Track.
Drink Stations:
at approx 3.8km - please do not rely on this aid stations, they are there as a back-up only. You should come prepared with anything you might need while out there.
Toughness Factor
5 / 10
Distance:
13km
Course Elevation:
470m
Course Overview:
This mid course has got it all - great tracks, swing bridges, stunning views, river crossing, and even a short tunnel section.
It starts with a short blat up the gravel road and back down through a short section of farm land to spread you out before hitting a couple of swing bridges (walking only please). You will then follow the Waitawheta River through the awesome Waitawheta Gorge. And for something a little different, you will pass through a short tunnel on this section - we will place lights in tunnel, however, bring your own torch or head lamp if you have one. Also, it is walking pace only through the tunnel please.
You will then cross over to the left hand side of the gorge and head down the Historic Crown Tramway Track, before getting to your first drink station. Climbing up the Scotsman Gully Track, before popping out on Country Road where you can open up. After getting to your next drink station, you head into the Number 7 Level Track where you can get into a really nice rhythm up the gradual climb and enjoy the truly magnificent views of the Waitawheta Gorge below.
Once at Dubbo 96 Track, head left and down, before getting back onto a short section on Crown Track and heading back in the direction of the base. You will then head past the base area, where you can grab a drink if needed, and out onto a cool little out and back section.
You follow the Mighty Waitawheta River again but this time you will be following the Dickey Flat Track out for about 1km before turning around nailing it back to the picturesque finish line next to the river.
Road/Trail used:
Dickey Flat track, Crown Track, Crown Tramway Track, Scotsmans Gully Track, Number 7 Level Track, and Dubbo 96 Track.
Drink Stations:
at approx 3.8km, 5.8km and 10.5km - please do not rely on these aid stations, they are there as a back-up only. You should come prepared with anything you might need while out there.
Toughness Factor
7 / 10
Distance:
19km
Course Elevation:
980m
Course Overview:
Longies starts with a short blat up the gravel road and back down through a short section of farm land to spread you out before hitting a couple of swing bridges (walking only please). You will then follow the Waitawheta River through the awesome Waitawheta Gorge. And for something a little different, you will pass through a short tunnel on this section - we will place lights in tunnel, however, bring your own head lamp if you have one. Also, it is walking pace only through the tunnel please.
You will then cross over to the left hand side of the gorge and head down the Historic Crown Tramway Track, before getting to your first drink station.
Then a short climb up the Scotsman Gully Track, before popping out on Country Road where you can open up. After getting to your next drink's station you head into the Number 7 Level Track where you can get into a really nice rhythm up the gradual climb and enjoy the truly magnificent views of the Waitawheta Gorge below.
When you hit the Dubbo 96 intersection FOR THE FIRST TIME keep going straight up Number 7 Level Track, as you get higher the views get better!! We promise! You then make your way around Karangahake Mountain and back down to Country Road and make a right. Just around the bend will be same drinks station as you hit earlier, before back into a short section of the awesome Number 7 Level Track again.
Once at Dubbo 96 Track FOR THE SECOND TIME head left and down, before getting back onto a short section on Crown Track and heading back in the direction of the base. Cross back over another 2 swing bridges, loop around Dicky Flat Campsite, and head to the picturesque finish line next to the river.
Road/trails used:
Crown Track, Crown Tramway Track, Scotsmans Gully Track, Number 7 Level Track and Karangahake Mountain Track.
Drink Stations:
Approx 3.8km, 5.8km and 15.4km - please do not rely on these aid stations, they are there as a back-up only. You should come prepared with anything you might need while out there.
Toughness Factor
8 / 10
Distance:
42.2km
Course Elevation:
1842m (you may have spotted 400m more climbing than the original marathon course - but this is more than evened out by the fact the tracks are a lot easier going under foot, and the hills on the new section are long and gradual, and actually reasonably jog-able, rather short and very sharp! Trust us.)
Course Overview:
OK, this is the new bit that we've found. The first 23.2km you complete is all new this year, and heads away in the opposite direction from the event base, to the other courses (towards the Kaimai Ranges).
You start you day heading south on the Dickey Flat track, the first 2 or 3km are nice and flat, a serve as a great warm up. You will then cross the Waitawheta River (river crossing), and this is where the hills start. After 5.5km you get to Dean's track and take a left, at this point the track levels out, and even start's heading down! As you head along Deans track further you will pop out of the bush, and onto farm land, please continue to follow the course markers through this section, and please don't leave the track. You will then get to your first aid station, at Franklin Road (8.2km).
You will then follow the river bank for a couple of km before making a left off the historical Kauri Tramway, as you climb for the next km or two you will be running through an amazing young kauri forest, and once at the top you will be rewarded by running right next to the only two surviving giant Kauri's in the area, truly impressive!! From there is a short down hill before you cross the River again, and head along another section of the Historical Tramway.
From there you make a left and head up Daly's clearing track (13.3km), and passed Daly's Hut, and onto Mangakino Pack Track. After a few more km's you will join back onto the track you headed out at the start of your day on, and this time there will be more down than up! After 23km you will head back passed the base area. There will be an aid station here, but you can also leave your own supplies at this aid station if you wish.
Because the long course is such a great 19km of tracks we didn't want you missing it, so from the base, you head North-West, and effectively then do the long course.
You follow the Waitawheta River through the awesome Waitawheta Gorge. And for something a little different, you will pass through a short tunnel on this section - we will place lights in tunnel, however, bring your own head lamp if you have one. Also, it is walking pace only through the tunnel please.
You will then cross over to the left hand side of the gorge and head down the Historic Crown Tramway Track, before getting to your third drink station.
Then a short climb up the Scotsman Gully Track, before popping out on Country Road where you can open up again. After getting to your next drink's station you head into the Number 7 Level Track where you can get into a really nice rhythm up the gradual climb and enjoy the truly magnificent views of the Waitawheta Gorge below.
When you hit the Dubbo 96 intersection FOR THE FIRST TIME keep going straight up Number 7 Level Track, as you get higher the views get better!! We promise! You then make your way around Karangahake Mountain and back down to Country Road and make a right. Just around the bend will be same drinks station as you hit earlier, before heading back into a short section of the awesome Number 7 Level Track again.
Once at Dubbo 96 Track FOR THE SECOND TIME head left and down, before getting back onto a short section on Crown Track and heading back in the direction of the base. Cross back over another 2 swing bridges, loop around Dicky Flat Campsite, and head to the picturesque finish line next to the river.
To get a really good understanding of what to expect on this section, head here to our good mate Mal Law's Running Wild, where you'll get a good, solid dose of great info;
www.runningwildnz.com - thanks Mal you legend!
Drink Stations:
Because of the remoteness of parts of the course we aren't able to get aid stations perfectly spaced apart, so your hydration Pack will be your friend in between some of the longer stretches! The five aid stations are at: 8.2km, 23km, 26.8km, 28.8km and 36.4km.
Course cut off:
8 hours
Toughness Factor
8.5/10
ULTRA MARATON - It was a hard call, but we have decided to put the ULTRA on hold till 2012. Sorry to not be able to bring this to you in 2011 but we know in 2012 we will be able to deliver you an awesome Ultra - total sport's first one! We know you will love the Marathon or shorter distances in Waihi. Thanks for your ongoing support team.
National trail running champs & World XTERRA Champs
The National Trail Running Champions will be crowned over the Long course (19km) event. These will be awarded in age group divisions, with the top three in each age-group qualifying for the World XTERRA Trail Running Championships.
The XTERRA Trail Running World Championship is an off-road half-marathon scheduled for December 2, 2012 on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. The event will also host 5km and 10km trail runs, a free OC 16 kids race, an adventure walk, great food and stunning scenery.
Some of the world's fastest trail runners will be onsite competing for $10,000 in prize money which is awarded to the top 7 men and women. Everyone who conquers the half-marathon championship course will earn a finisher's medal, as well the top three in each age group for every distance.
For more information on this, please contact nicola@totalsport.co.nz
We strongly recommend that all competitors come to these events sensibly prepared, as some of these courses are very tough and weather conditions can be extremely changeable. We recommend running with a Hydration back pack loaded with 1 - 2 litres of liquid, and other nutritional nibbles.
You can expect to be away from base for a decent period of time at these events, and we can't always get aid stations to the points where you may expect them to be.
While event medics will be at each event (they will be stationed at the event base, start / finish point) and participants may encounter on course marshals with first aid on them, it also pays to be safety conscious and carry items like:
It's all about personal responsibility!
You've told us over the years that you're not really into the whole hanging about for event prize givings. So, we won't be making you stay for any formalities. We have lots of spot prizes, and they will all be handed out randomly as you cross the finish line. So, don't feel obligated to hang about if you've got other things you need to do. Finish your event, talk it up about how great you are, get a SPEIGHT'S Traverse beer and a hot sausage and head for home - all good by us!!
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