The 50km.

1AM & 5AM SAT 5 DECEMBER | THE TRAILS OF WHAKATU-NELSON

Why the 50km?

If you're on this page, you're ready to venture into ultra territory!

Conquer this race, and you'll officially be an ultra runner.

The course.

Your journey kicks off on Selwyn Place, running down Trafalgar Street before joining the picturesque Maitai River Trail at the Trafalgar St bridge. Trace the river past Waahi Taakaro Golf Course, then take on the first challenge of the day - a 2.5km climb to Tantragee Saddle.

From here, a short descent leads you into the heart of the course - the journey to Dun Mountain. This iconic peak is crowned by a unique ultramafic landscape, world-famous as a showcase of metamorphic peridotites. The climb starts gently, tracing the route of New Zealand’s very first railway towards Coppermine Saddle. From there, the trail narrows to singletrack, guiding you to Dun Saddle, where a boulder scramble delivers you to the summit.

The challenge continues with a push up Little Twin, rewarded by a sharp descent past Dew Lakes, Rush Pools, and the Maitai Dam. The Pipeline Trail then leads you on a steady climb back to the Tantragee Saddle. A twisting descent to Brook St at 50km, sets up the grand finale - the final brutal ascent to the Grampians ridgeline - before you unleash yourself on a fast, thrilling drop past Pikiwai Pa/Church Hill, back to the finish line on Selwyn Place for a total of 54km.

COURSE DATA

Total Distance: 54km
Ascent: ~1800m
Max Elevation: 1128m

THe important stuff.

What you get

  • Race number

  • Race cap

  • Official race shirt

  • Finishers medal

  • On-course photography (pay what you want post-race)

  • Access to aid stations

  • Drop bag service

  • Medical support

  • Goodies from some of our favourite local businesses

  • Great vibes

Prizes

All finishers: All finishers will receive a wooden finishers medal.

Top 3: Top three male and female finishers overall will receive a prize.

Spot Prizes: We love a good spot prize almost as much as we love a good race pack, so we’ve partnered with some generous local businesses to bring you some epic spot prizes. Spot prizes will be randomly distributed in race packs, so if you find a little something extra in there - congratulations - you’ve won!

Photos

We have a talented team of photographers out on the course taking epic shots for the gram, or for the wall if you’re a little more old school! A link to race photos can be found on the Results page after the race.

The rules.

The Safety Info.

CUT OFF TIMES

We do not have any mandatory qualification standards. However, the 50km is extremely challenging and enters mountainous environments.  

To enter you must have adequate fitness, mountain running or hiking experience to complete the course in the available time. 

A Race Cut Off*: 10 hrs (this start is for those with an estimated finishing time under 10 hrs)

B Race Cut Off*: 14 hrs (this start is for those with an estimated finishing time between 10-14 hrs)

*cut off times are subject to change slightly for 2026

START WAVES

We have purposely designed the schedule with two different start times for the 50km to allow participants to take on this challenging distance at their own pace. Due to the differing start times and the potential for each group to face different conditions out on the course, results will be recorded and presented as two separate events. 

Therefore, if you wish to be eligible for the podium, you must start in the second heat and compete head-to-head, ensuring a level playing field. 

It is up to each athlete to determine which start time is appropriate for them. 

AID STATIONS

Aid stations will be available on the course. There will be a mix of crewed and field aid stations. You can find more info here.