A 35km off-road run around the full circuit of Lake Okataina, Rotorua. There's a 19km option too, which start at the Rotorua end of the lake.

A stunningly scenic anti-clockwise loop around Lake Okataina following a mix of well established bush walking tracks, private farm tracks and a new native bush track

THE COURSE

The 35km run starts at the Okataina Outdoor Education Camp and follows the Western Okataina Walkway to Millar Road.  After following Millar Road for a few hundred metres the course turns onto a farm track which heads towards the southern end of Lake Okataina.  A short 500 metre untracked but well marked bush section leads onto the Eastern Okataina Walkway.  Follow the Eastern Okataina Walkway back to the Okataina Outdoor Education Camp to finish.

The 19km run or walk starts at Millar Road drink station and then follows the same course as the 35km run as described above.

Note:  Access to the farm and unformed bush track is not permitted except on race day so please no trial runs of this section of the course.

TIMETABLE

DIRECTIONS

The event centre is at the Okataina Outdoor Education Camp off Lake Okataina Road (signposted from the turnoff from SH30 at Ruato). The 19km event start is on Millar Road near Lake Okareka (signposted from Tarawera Road).

BUS TO 19KM START

If you are doing the 19km event you need to let us know (on the entry form), whether you'd like a ticket for the bus from the event centre at the Okataina Outdoor Education camp to the start of the 19km event at the Rotorua end of the Lake.  Tickets are $10.

ACCOMMODATION

Camping or bunk beds are available at the Okatiana Outdoor Eductaion Camp (the event centre) on both Friday night before the event and Saturday night. Camping is $8 per person and a bunk bed is $12 per person.  There are 91 beds available in 4 rooms.  Bookings are essential and it will be first come, first served.  Please email us to book. No arrivals on Friday night after 9pm please.

COURSE DURATION

The fastest time to date for the 35km course is 2 hours 43 and the slowest is 7 hours 32.
The fastest time to date for the 19km course is 1 hour 39 and the slowest is 4 hours 47.

There is a cutoff time. Participants must get to Millar Road drink station by 11:45am (2hrs 45mins after starting) - this should ensure you finish under 6 hours 30 minutes.

COMPULSORY CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT

The safety of our participants is important to us. For this reason we insist every participant carries certain minimum clothing and safety equipment. Each participant’s compulsory gear will be checked by race officials at registration. Course marshals may check compulsory gear on the course.
Each competitor must carry the following (relevant to both courses): Weatherproof parka, thermal gloves and hat, polypropylene or thermal long sleeve shirt and a first aid kit. The first aid kit must contain as a minimum: 2 metres of adhesive strapping tape, 4 bandaids, 2 gauze pads, 4 cm width crepe bandage, 2 pain relief tablets (Panadol or similar) and a survival blanket.

Please ensure you have enough nutritional supplies and water for your needs (there is only be one drink station at the 19km mark of the 35km event).