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HAURAKI 50 FIVE - 55 km INTRO ULTRA

THE HAURAKI 50 FIVE ULTRA - TEAMS RELAY

A brilliant relay event for teams — grab some running mates, club mates, school mates or work mates and see if you can run 55 km from Thames to Waihi. Challenge your corporate or club rivals to the ultimate work place team-building experience.

On this amazing "made-for-a-relay" course you'll discover the good, the bad and the ugly side of yourself and your mates, and learn about tackling a seemingly monumental challenge, to overcome it, and reach your shared goal together.

The experience of encouraging your team-mates to reach your final destination will be something you will all learn from and cherish.

 

THE HAURAKI 50 FIVE ULTRA - SOLO

Are you looking to do your first Ultra-Marathon? Race from Thames’ Grahamstown Station to Waihi Station on this fast and flat course. It's 100% off-road and offers a great opportunity to test yourself over an ultra distance, without hills, cars and tarmac.

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HAURAKI 50 FIVE COURSE DESCRIPTION

You‘ll start by weaving your way through the coastal and urban trails of Thames then leave the ‘big city’ behind and head into the countryside on your way to Paeroa. Enjoy the tranquility of rural New Zealand and say hello to the grazing cows and horses before you arrive in downtown Paeroa. Negotiate the pathway through town to the Criterion Bridge aid station before you depart Paeroa and enter the most scenic and varied section of the Hauraki Rail Trail. The course runs alongside the Ohinemuri River, crossing bridges and passing through a 1 km-long train tunnel in the spectacular Karangahake Gorge. You’ll soon arrive at the Victoria Battery in Waikino then just follow the beautiful river-side trail all the way to the finish line at Waihi Station.

The course rises only 100 m and that's nearly all in the last 15 km before Waihi. The first three-quarters of the into-ultra are essentially flat and the last third is slightly rolling with a couple of short pinches to test your endurance.

MORE ABOUT YOUR RACE

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TEAMS

  • There are Male, Female and Mixed teams categories (no age-groups).
  • A team can have up to 5 members.
  • A mixed team must have at least 1 female member.
  • Each team member can run as many or as few legs as they like.
  • The only stipulation is that your baton changeover is at an aid station. See note re AID STATIONS below.
  • Your timing transponder is your baton and it must be passed from one team member to another at an aid station.
  • Your transponder must be securely fastened to your ankle or the timing mat will not register your time.
  • There is a $50 charge for a lost transponder - secure it firmly!

 

AID STATIONS - TEAM RELAY CHANGE POINTS

There are 6 aid stations (5 are relay team change points) on the Hauraki 50Five course. Kopu (7.5 km), Puriri (15 km), Hikutaia (22.5 km), Paeroa (34 km), Waikino (46 km), and 4.5 k from the finish line. They will provide water, some fruit, and electrolyte drink. You can arrange for your support crew to meet you at the aid stations to supply you with your preferred hydration and nutrition (see course map). The aid station 4.5 km from the finish is not accessible to support crews or the public, and it is not a relay change point.

PLEASE NOTE: WE'RE A CUPLESS EVENT

Cups will not be provided at the aid station. Please BYO cup/bottle or carry your own nutrition/hydration requirements to help us reduce our event waste.

You should prepare to be self-sufficient for the duration of the race. The aid station will have some fruit, water, and electrolyte drink available to help with your race nutrition, however this should be considered a top-up only, and you shouldn't rely on it for your full race energy or hydration needs.

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GEAR BAG DROP

If you have some gear you'd like to discard and leave at the start line, then pick up again at the finish line, that's cool. We'll have a gear drop area at the start line and we'll happily transport your stuff to the finish line/event HQ for you so you can wrap up warm again after your race. Be sure to clearly mark your gear bag so it doesn't get picked up by somebody else by mistake.

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CUT-OFF TIMES

There will be a mid-course cut-off point at the Paeroa aid station (34 km) at 1:00 pm, and the final cutoff at the finish line will be 4.00 pm.

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RECOMMENDED GEAR LIST

  • Merino or polypropylene long sleeved base layer. We do not recommend cotton.
  • Waterproof seam-sealed jacket.
  • Polypropylene, fleece or merino beanie.
  • Cellphone with fully charged battery and Event Safety Manager’s phone number loaded - 021 476 310
  • First Aid Kit that includes your personal medications, e.g. asthma inhaler.
  • Survival bag or blanket.
  • Dry bag or ziplock bags to keep your gear dry.
  • Water/electrolyte - you should carry at least 1 litre of water at all times.
  • Food - you should carry enough food to keep you sustained between your planned aid station stops.
  • Anti-chafe cream.
  • Blister repair kit.

 

BUSES TO THE START LINE

There will be a bus taking competitors from Waihi Station (Race HQ) to the start line in Thames. You will arrive in time for a warm-up and the pre-race briefing. You can book your seat when you enter on-line.

EVENT PARTNERS

​TRAIL TRILOGY EVENT SPONSORS

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