Increase confidence and performance in running and mountain biking at all levels.
For Group or Personal Coaching and Skills Sessions see total sport Team & Training.
"I learned more in one session than I have in 30 years of running ... Definitely a must-do!"
- Vicki
Click here for full details
We know how you love the urge to run and walk but more importantly we know how you love your little ones to be close by. We've teamed up with Rock my Baby to offer you a child minding service for all of the Xterra Auckland Trail Run/Walk events.Spaces are limited to 14 for each event folks so book the youngins in early or you'll be putting them in the pack for a little strength work... this is an uber cool option also which we encourage.Prices are $7 per hour and $10 for two children. auckland@rockmybaby.co.nz |
NOTE: Online entry is now closed. You can still enter from 7.30am on the event morning in the registration tent at the event base (see below for directions).
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Click here for an important Pre-Event newsletter (151kb pdf)
Uploaded Tuesday 4 June |
Welcome to the Blackmores XTERRA Auckland trail run and walk series! So pleased you've found us.
This series is all about getting you, your mates, and your family to some of the best off-road locations in and around Auckland, and getting you off the roads and onto some stunning trails. Big on fun in a casual, low key environment, you are going to have a blast!
Driving Directions to Event Base |
Click here to view event base location on Googlemaps
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 and Short courses are available as walks too, so one event you may get to stretch out in the long or super long while your partner takes a wee whipper snapper or two around the mid or short course.
HOW DOES THE POINTS SYSTEM WORK?
Your top 5 placings count towards your overall series result. If the body didn't fire one morning or you just decided to cruise, no need to worry you've got a trump card up your sleeve. To score points it's about how far off the winning time you are in your age and gender division. i.e. the closer your time is to first place the better your points. The series winner is the one with the highest points from their 5 best results. (please note, you must run/walk in at least 4 of the 6 events to be eligible to win your division over the series).
The Legendary Series Race Pack!
And now, what you have all been waiting for........ The Blackmores XTERRA Series and "nearly famous" Starter Pack is back for 2013! This pack has become a real stable, and promises to be another ripper this year, with a particular '10 year anniversary' twist. What's included? A special edition hoodie, total sport drink canister, total sport run cap, inov-8 WRAG Multiuse Headwear AND a free entry into any run or walk event at XTERRA Rotorua Festival (14th April)! Whoohooo! All coming your way when you sign up for the Series.
The price for the series entry and pack is still $295. It's terrific value, you pay less than the cost of a Mid course entry price per event, and get all the cool stuff for FREE, plus entry into all events (any distance option allowed)! Series entrants (and series packs) are limited to the first 300 entered.
All entry options above (except Family and Kids options) will incur a $10 late fee, for those that choose to enter on the day of the event.
Please click here to view entry page
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
Individual entrants:
Your race number, timing transponder and race bag can be picked up from the event base on the day of the event. We recommend checking into this area at least 45 minutes prior to your scheduled start time.
Series entrants:
If you haven't collected already, your race number, timing transponder and series race pack can be picked up from the event base on the day of the event. We recommend checking into this area at least 45 minutes prior to your scheduled start time.
On the day entrants:
No problem if you want to turn up on the day and enter, we'll be ready for you. Please arrive at least 45 minutes before your scheduled event start time, and we'll have everything you need. Payment prices are listed above, and payment options include;
Compulsory event briefings will be held 15 minutes before the start of each event - please be at these!
Superlong - 09.00am
Long - 09.00am
Mid - 09.45am
Short - 10.30am
You will be following hanging blue XTERRA tape (attached to trees, posts etc) and our standard red arrows on a white backing. Where you reach an intersection where there is a decision to be made (generally based around the event option that you are doing), this will be clearly marked telling you which way to go - please stop for a moment at these points to ensure you are going the right way, let's not have you spoil your day for not having a quick look at these points!
When you reach an intersection do not cross any tape that is laid on the ground at any time - this tape is laid out to stop you going in a particular direction. After you have passed an intersection you will again be following generic hanging blue XTERRA tape and red arrows. These courses will be checked and rechecked on the morning of the event but it is important you keep your eyes open out there!
The Rundown on Riverhead (thanks Lukey)...
Click here for driving directions
Riverhead as we approach Winter - a place where turning up in all white is a sign that one hasn't been there before in Winter. Yes folks, depending on rain levels in the lead up to the event, you can expect some glorious mud and clay out there. Being the first in the series this year you may not encounter as much of the brown stuff as in previous years but it all does depend on the level of precipitation!
There is an endless and ever changing network of trails at Riverhead Forest (thanks to Tjebbe you LEGEND), and is really a hidden gem for off-road running, well under utilised but brilliant - a hidden secret for sure. If you know where you're going you can easily knock out a good quality long run without having to see too much gravel road.
And that's the way the courses will work for you guys - wide gravel road to warm up on and spread you all out, then a high percentage of quality trails to work you over. The Head is well known for its winding, rooty , changeable (pine needle through to hard packed through to clay - no sand out here!) goodness, so it's a guaranteed recipe for........fun. There are also sections of tracks in Riverhead that remain relatively unaffected by the weather so they'll also be plenty of good quality fast running to be had as well. And here's one for you - Riverhead also has little pockets of Native Bush so at times it feels like we're back in the Waitaks! Nice.
Oh and finally, Riverhead aint flat my friends! While the mid (and definitely the short) course will again be relatively friendly (elevation wise), once you head deeper into the wilderness (from the event base) there are some real lung busters and actually some pretty cool views to be had at these heights.
Longies and superlongies again be prepared, or "The Head" will dominate you!
Distance:
5.7km
Course Overview:
You have a shorter section up Barlow Rd hill than the other courses but it's still 2km of the 'more or less' up stuff to warm you up prior to your turn off at Patterson Road. The result of all that hard work is the very nice downhill trail named Patterson One. It's a sweet ride down but could be a little greasy in spots. After a little stretch on the clay based Hansen Road, the full length of the long and winding trail we appropriately named 'Rooted' awaits you You'll find out why soon enough! This trail is a couple of km long but you'll be completely disorientated when you pop out on Karl Rd. From there it's all downhill to the finish!
Drink Stations:
One aid station on the short course at the top of the hills off Barlow. BUT PLEASE make sure you are well hydrated before setting off on the course. It is sensible to be completely self sufficient. Please do not rely on this aid station.
Toughness Factor
7 / 10
Mid course
Distance:
12.8km
Course Overview:
Your first 7km is the same as the long and superlong course so see the long course info below for details on this section. Once you hit the aid station at the 7km mark you make a left and head down the wide clay based Hansen Rd. Once you're opposite one of the 'Rooted' entry points it's a big left hander up Patterson Trail Two.
Now this one could burst your bubble if you let it, and will likely be the slowest going on the course. The elevation gained in a short period (especially prior to hitting Patterson Road) may well reduce you to a walk. So up Patterson Road you go and then it's time to merge with the shorties at the entrance to Patterson Trail One.
All wide open trails from here folks! It's a sweet ride down Patterson One but it could be a little greasy in spots :) You get back down to Hansen Road and then the full length of the long and winding trail we appropriately named 'Rooted' awaits you. You'll find out why soon enough! This trail is a couple of km long but you'll be completely disorientated when you pop out on Karl Rd. From there it's all downhill to the finish!
Drink Stations:
One aid station only on the mid course (see attached maps for placement). BUT PLEASE make sure you are well hydrated before setting off on the course. It is sensible to be completely self sufficient. Please do not rely on this aid station.
Toughness Factor
7.5 / 10
Long and Superlong Course
Distance:
Long - 19.0km
Superlong - 23.0km
Course Overview:
Your day begins with a blat up the Barlow Rd hill - we've chosen a nice clean wide open start for you guys so you can settle into some sort of rhythm (& rhythm is sometimes rare at 'The Head'). After 2.7km of more or less up it's a left hander into Trig Rd where we will throw a couple of short little clay 'tester' tracks on your way to the start of The Fire Hut Track (Hansen Rd). Here you may need to watch out for the occasional 'small puddle' and you'll need to be ready to rip the piss out of those who gain free slip and slide lessons. It's definitely the first spot on the course where you start to see the advantages of wearing a pair of inov-8's! Fire Hut Track is nice and wide but will make you want to shed a layer pretty quickly. We spit you to the right half way down this one and at the bottom a completely enjoyable (and very run-able) 700m single track gravel section will bring back some composure to your life. Next up you indulge in a quality and recently built single track which gets you to the 7km mark & your first aid station.
From there you hammer it up to Anzac Road and reconnect at the top of the Kauri Track! All good stuff!
Just after you hit Campbell Road it's long/superlong decision time! If you're a longie you'll make a left down Campbell, left into straighty then your 2nd to last uphill takes you to the fridge track. Here the superlongies will meet you again.
If you're a superlongie you'll make a right on Campbell Rd and you'll head on a great little exploration of the Northern section which, to be honest provides the best quality running on any of the courses. Some quality views and perhaps a hill or two - we like to keep something up our sleeve for you guys who put that extra effort it! The Northern section is well worth doing!!
Just prior to being reconnected with Campbell Rd a few laughs should be had as you hit a downhill mountain bike track which offers up some dodgy / greasy hills, an honest question of "how the hell do you ride that bridge over the river?") and a slight piece of water interaction! You meet the longies at the "Fridge Track". The fridge naturally leads to 'couch corner'.
The final 2.5km after 'couch corner' will offer the biggest puddles seen in the forest and then the wicked nature trail section to really finish you off! Yes the nature trail brings the Waitaks to 'The Head' Roots are aplenty in there so really watch your step before steaming across another bridge and blasting it to the line!
Drink Stations:
Three aid stations on the long and superlong courses (see attached maps for placement). BUT PLEASE make sure you are well hydrated before setting off on the course. It is sensible to be completely self sufficient. Please do not rely on these aid stations.
Toughness Factor
8.5 / 10
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 beer and a hot sausage and head for home - all good by us!!
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