Event Countdown Todays Date: 258 days ago Days left until next event

Individual Entrants:

Race number & transponder 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:

Remember to bring the race number you picked up at race 1. You need to pick up a new transponder and get your name ticked off at the registration tent at the event base on the day of the event. If you didn’t pick up your race number at race 1 we will have it at the rego tent waiting for you. Remember if you are changing up or down courses we need to know so please let us know. We recommend checking into this area at least 45 minutes prior to your scheduled start time.

download map
(198kb pdf)

Course Distance:
5.8km

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 road named 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 a straight down hammer along what we call trail #3 to the finish! Plenty of trails in this one for you but the mud & puddles might slow you down in certain spots and provide the big challenge in event number three!

Drink Stations:
NONE - so please be well hydrated prior to race start and carry fluid on you if required.

Toughness Factor
7 / 10

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Course Distance:          
12.4

Course Overview:


Drink Stations:              
7km

Toughness Factor         
7.5 / 10

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Course Distance:
19.6km


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 at you on your way to the start of The Fire Hut Track (Hansen Rd). Here you'll 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 runable) 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 we've thrown in 'Luke's Loop Track' (so have a think about if Luke likes easy or tough tracks!!!), the Kauri Track (yes Kauri) more freshly built wide open trail, a prick or two of an uphill then the full length of the beautiful Centipede trail (this one's a real wiggler!).

Just after you hit Cambell Road it long/superlong decision time! If you're a longie you'll make a left and hammer through another spectacular free flowing new 500m trail on the northern side of Cambell Rd before remerging with the superlongies at the Anzac Road intersection (after they've knocked off their funky extension)

A little slice of the gravel road awaits before you hit what's we've dubbed the fridge track - this indicates that the Speight's are close but it pays to watch your step on this up and down greasy number. The fridge naturally leads to 'couch corner' but we don't advise plonking yourself on this one - we are not too sure what's happened on this one in the past!

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! 19.6km - on ya!

Drink Stations:
7.0km
& 14.2km

Also @ 15.4km - a bonus one really as it really caters to the superlongies thirst at that stage.

Toughness Factor:
7.5 / 10

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This year we will be trialling a new course marking system.  You will still be following hanging blue XTERRA tape and our red arrows on a white coreflute backing however when you reach an intersection you will see some different coloured triangular arrows. 

Longies will be following green triangular arrows,

mid course will follow red triangular arrows

and shorties will follow blue triangular arrows.

It is important that when you reach an intersection you follow your coloured triangular arrow & 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.  For piece of mind there will be another triangular arrow of your colour just past the intersection to confirm you are on the right track.

These courses will be checked and rechecked on the morning of the event but it is important you keep your eyes open out there!

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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 camelbak loaded with up to 2L of water and/or Balance along with Balance squeezy’s and other nutritional nibbles. 

You can expect to be away from base for a decent period of time at these events! 

While event medics will be at each event & competitors may encounter on course marshals with first aid on them it also pays to be safety conscious and carry items like a

basic first aid kit,
cell phone,
whistle
and additional warm clothing.

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