60km Ultramarathon Course 

This course has been designed to take in all the good bits of the Hunua Ranges which can currently be accessed. To be honest, it pretty much takes in EVERY open track in the Hunua Ranges, good thing they are all just SO good! 😊  

You will be taken on a 60km circumnavigation of the Hunuas, with the centre point to your day being the stunning event base location of the upper Mangatawhiri campground – where your run will start and finish. 

The bulk of the run will be on grunty single track under the cover of stunning native bush. There will also be a combination of gravel roads, MTB trail, boardwalks, swing bridges and even the odd Watercare dam mixed in for good measure. When you aren’t under the very welcome cover of the bush, you will enjoy some of the most stunning 360 views in Auckland, including reaching the highest point in the city at 688m – Kohukohunui or K Trig to many of us.  

This is the sort of run that will have you hoping it never ends and hanging out for the finish line all at once!  

Maps

 

Event Details

START TIME : 5:00am 

START LOCATION : Upper Mangatawhiri Campground 

DISTANCE : 60km  VERTICAL METERS: 3270m 

AID STATIONS :11.2km, 22.2km, 32.6km, 42.2km, 47.6km, 56.2km  
With: Water, Pure Electrolyte Drink & Gels, Coke, Bananas, Strawberries, Oranges, Potato Chips, Gingernuts, Lollies & Chocolate plus keep an eye out for some bonus home baking! Boiled Potatoes at 22.2km and 42.2km plus Sandwiches (PB/Jam/Marmite) at 34.8km

TOILETS

  • 7.4km Lower Mangatawhiri Campground 

  • 22.2km Piggotts Campground

  • 42.2km Port-a-loo

  • 47.6km Repeater Campground

  • 56.2km Repeater Campground 

KAURI DIEBACK PREVENTION - IMPORTANT

As the Hunua Ranges are Kauri Dieback free there is a Controlled Area Notice in place which means there are additional hygiene procedures we need to adhere to for this event.

  • All footwear, gear and vehicles must be free from all visible soil before entering the park bounday (shoes will be checked at registration)

  • Footwear should then be disinfected once soil has been removed. Mats containing SteriGene disinfectant will be used by all participants prior to event start.

  • Stay on marked tracks and off Kauri roots.

  • Spectators must use wash stations provided when venturing onto the course (even if being transported in the supporter minivan)

Please be aware – failure to have clean footwear will result in you not being able to participate in the event.

COMPULSORY GEAR

This is gear you (everyone!) must take with you on your run, from the start to the finish.

  • Long sleeve top (polyprop or wool)

  • Seam sealed waterproof jacket

  • Beanie (polyprop or wool)

  • Gloves

  • Survival blanket/bag

  • Head torch

  • 1 litre of water minimum (2l recommended)

While some of this gear may seem excessive, we ask you to bring it for your safety. You may not need it while you are running or walking but if something happens and you have to stop you will need it. The event is on very exposed, rugged country and it can be very cold if you have to stay in one spot. 

COURSE CUT OFFS

  • CP #1 – 22.2km – 4.5 hours/9:30am  

  • CP #2 – 42.2km – 10.5 hours/3.30pm 

  • FINISH CLOSED – 60km – 15 hours/8:00pm 

Want detailed course notes? Find them here