Welcome to the Speights West Coaster - possibly NZ's most scenic off-road, trail and coastal running event!

With a distance for all levels of fitness, adventure and enthusiasm (including a marathon distance event for individuals or teams, plus 28km, 18km and a 10km for individuals), the Speights West Coaster is a must-do for all off-road enthusiasts

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE EVENT START / FINISH / BASE FOR THE SPEIGHTS WEST COASTER HAS CHANGED! WE WILL NOW BE BASED ON THE RESERVE AT BETHELLS BEACH!

View course gallery here

On the 14th November we are bringing you the finest (and undeniably one of the toughest) events that New Zealand has to offer.

We will be taking you on a run with views to die for and one couldn’t be blamed for stopping mid-run just to catch a breath and take it all in.

42km marathon course map.pdf (498kb pdf)

Ok folks we've done it!

We've altered the marathon course for 2009!

One significant change.....goodbye road loop - hello 1x stunning off-road loop of Bethells on private land. Road? Come on!

Last year's Marathon reccie report can be viewed here Download report here (173 kb pdf)

We hope to replace this file with the 2009 event report asap. We are all itching to do the full reccie!

So what does this change mean? Well well well it means if you thought last year's course was scenically spectacular (and it's hard to argue againist that) then prepare to be blown away this year.

What doesn't change is the toughness - in fact it remains nothing short of extreme!.

Starting from the reserve at Bethells Beach, you'll head north for approx 1km. This is where the private land begins and a solid climb awaits. After knocking off a couple of km's (and feeling like you've done another 12) you'll be on Razorback Ridge (Remember its all private land once leaving the beach so strictly no training on this part of the course!)

Up on the ridge it's a chance to get your breathe back and take in the views but this section also offers up some nuggety climbs. The Houghton Track is your way down and if you want to talk fun downhill tracks this one tops the lot. Prepare to lose all control :)

To finish the loop it's a run through the stream at the foot of the mighty dunes, under the Bethells Rd bridge and into the Te Henga Carpark (drink station point again). This section is fantastic but remember unless you're in a team at this point.....there's a long way to go!!

You'll then head north along the famous Te Henga Walkway - views second to none right from the get go. This track has relentless up's and entertaining downs. A well earned drink at the end of the Walkway awaits.



After you've got to Constable Rd (at the end of the Te Henga trail) you'll head down a gravel road, and will then make a right hand turn into the absolutely amazing Goldies Bush / Mokoroa track, a technical journey of native wonderland with many river crossings - much fun to be had on this leg!!

After the Goldies / Mokoroa loop you'll knock off Te Henga Walkway again (checking out the scenery from a different perspective) before heading down to the finish at the reserve at Bethells Beach, where you'll find yourself a very well earned frosty Speights!!

Prepare to leave it all out West!

TOTAL ASCENT – 2173m

28km course map.pdf (328kb pdf)

You do it all but miss out on the NEW Bethells loop. This is certainly no ordinary 28km run. It's tough, it's scenic and for good athletes who don't want to indulge in the marathon this right here is off-road heaven!

You'll start at the reserve at Bethells Beach, heading north along the Te Henga trail, then the Goldies Bush / Mokoroa loop, and then back along the Te Henga trail to the finish at Bethells Beach.


TOTAL ASCENT – 1648m

18km course map.pdf (225kb pdf)

A straight and pure out and back on the Te Henga Walkway. A fantastic slice of the West Coast.

Starting at Bethells Beach, you're heading north along the Te Henga trail then back the way you came.

Helpful hint; the Te Henga trail is tougher heading north from Bethells as it has significantly more climb, so you'll be heading back doing the easier leg!

TOTAL ASCENT – 1163m

The Te Henga Walkway is certainly not for the vertigo challenged.   In places it is extremely steep and narrow and remember you go both ways on it.  Those not phased by it will get to enjoy the absolutely stunning cliff top views – there will never be a boring moment on this track.  The Te Henga Walkway is not on the 10km option.

There is minimal road use regardless of your course option but do remember ALL ROADS ARE OPEN TO TRAFFIC so please obey all instructions from course marshals.

Given the rugged terrain on the course a cut-off time of 4.00pm will be applied to all courses (see right for additional info on cut-off times)

Event marshals’ will be placed on all key points along the course.

Tail end marshals’ will follow the last competitor in each field.

Qualified ambulance support will be both out on the event courses and at the event base.

Aid stations will be spaced regularly throughout the course.  All aid stations will be stocked with basic first aid equipment, water, and other nutritional sustenance.  Exact placement of aid stations will be communicated closer to the event but marathon runners can expect to pass at least 5 aid stations out on the course.

Survival kits must be carried by all 42km, 28km and 18km runners so that our competitors are self sufficient out there.  Hydration packs filled with an electrolyte drink or water, (1.5lt min) additional food and clothing including polyprops, hat and gloves, along with a basic first aid kit (incl. survival blanket) and course map are all required for this event.

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