Event info
Schedule
| Friday 24 May | ||
| Time | Activity | Location |
| 4:30pm-8:30pm | Registration (and enter on the day if spaces are available) | Mercury Bay Area School, 20 South Highway, Whitianga, 3510 |
| Saturday 25 May | ||
| Time | Activity | Location |
| 6:30am | Registration opens (and enter on the day if spaces are available)Participants may register on the day but must do so 30 minutes prior to the event start time. | Buffalo Beach Reserve, Buffalo Beach Road (opposite Surf Street) |
| 6:45am | Go Kiwi shuttle service available to transport competitors and supporters 1.3km to the Ferry – free of charge | Pick up at Buffalo Beach (event village and finish line) |
| 7:00am | Ferry service open to 21km competitors and supporters only | Ferry Whitianga side. |
| 8:00am | Race Start – 21km | Ferry Landing, Cooks Beach |
| 8:00am | Ferry service open to 10km competitors and supporters only | Ferry Whitianga side. |
| 8:40am | Race Start – 10km | Ferry Landing, Cooks Beach |
| 9:00am | Ferry Service available to 6km competitors and supporters only | Ferry Whitianga side. |
| 9:30am | Race Start – 6km | Ferry Landing, Cooks Beach |
| 11:00am | Race Start – 3km | Buffalo Beach Reserve |
| 12:00pm | Live Music and fantastic food for sale | Buffalo Beach Reserve |
| 1:00pm | Prizegiving | Buffalo Beach Reserve, Whitianga |
Categories
Age categories
Taken in years of age on the day of the event
5-9 years
10-14
15-19
20-29
30-39
40-49
50-59
60-69
70 plus
Registration
Event registration will take place 4:30pm to 8:30pm, at the Mercury Bay Area School, 20 South Highway Whitianga.
You can have someone else register on your behalf and pick up your race pack (race number bib and transponder).
Entries will be accepted on the event day at Buffalo Beach Reserve if capacity has not been reached. You can pay by eftpos or cash. You may register on race day up until 30 minutes before your start time.
Age minimums and preparation
All people entering the 6km and 10km events must be 12 years or older (or accompanied by a responsible adult aged 18 years plus).
It is vital that you prepare well for this race. Preparation needs to include the physical training required to be fit enough to complete the distance you have chosen. Distance running does place stress on the body so if you have any doubts, you should consult your health professional.
And don’t forget to bring your ‘can do attitude’ – that will get you a long way!
Aid stations
There will be an Aid Station approximately every 5-7km into the courses including; water, electrolyte drink and lollies. The 21km event will also have bananas at Aid Stations.
For environmental reasons, there will be no cups provided by the event so you will either need to refill your hydration pack or bring your own cup to use at Water and Aid stations.
Compulsory gear
There is no compulsory gear for this event. However we strongly recommend that if the day is cold or raining that everyone wears or takes a thermal top layer (polypropylene or Merino), decent rain jacket or both. This is especially important for those people who may be on the course for more than one hour.
Cut off times
There is a cut off time of 1pm at the finish line.
Drop bags
There is no drop bag service.
Ferry
The 6,10 and 21km distances include a ferry ride 1.3km from the finish line. Just prior to getting to the ferry, you will cross a timing mat and the clock will stop. After your ferry ride, when you begin your run home, the timer will start again.
Food and beverage
There will be a range of food and beverages at the start / finish line at Buffalo Beach reserve available for purchase.
How to get to the start line
The 6,10 and 21km races start at Ferry landing (which is on the Cooks Beach side of the Whitianga Estuary. The 3km race starts at Buffalo Beach.
All events finish at Buffalo Beach (middle of the Whitianga Beach).
We suggest park at the finish line at Buffalo Beach.
There will be a free bus to take all event entrants and supporters from the finish line at Buffalo Beach Reserve to the Ferry. (The trip distance is 1.3 km) All entrants then get a free ferry ride across to the start line. (Supporters need to pay for the ferry).
Or you may choose to walk from Buffalo Beach to the Ferry– this would be a nice warm up!
Merchandise
We have some sweet looking casual and technical shirts and caps for sale. Click on the SHOP page to view.
Parking
Please park at the Buffalo Beach Reserve, Buffalo Bay, Whitianga.
Pets
Pets are allowed at the event base, but must be strictly kept on a lead at all times.
NO Pets are allowed on course.
Prams and buggies
No prams or buggies are allowed on course.
Prizes and prize giving
There will be a short, sharp and fun prizegiving held from 1:00pm to 1:20pm
Spot prizes will be given out at prize giving to a total value of $2,000 including 1 major spot prize. In order to win a prize, you must attend prizegiving.
All participants will receive a finishers medal when they cross the finish line. This medal will be made of recycled rimu with a natural paua insert.
The male and female winners of all distances will receive a stunning natural trophy made of recycled rimu with a lovely paua inlay to commemorate their win.
We will also acknowledge on the stage the top 3 males and females in the Half Marathon and 10km.
Age group winners will be recognised in the online results, but not at prizegiving.
Supporters
We encourage supporters for the entrants. Supporters must act in a safe manner at all times and cannot follow their runner in a vehicle.
Reserve course/schedule
The event may be run on an alternative course if the planned courses are not able to be used on race day. Please keep an eye on the website home page, Facebook page and your emails for any possible course updates.
Toilets
There will be toilets at the event base as well as at 5km intervals throughout the course.
