Crater Rim 53KM - RACE INFORMATION
The 53km Crater Rim will once again be run as the Athletics New Zealand Trail Running Championships.
Runners wishing to race for The NZ Athletics Trail Running title, Male and Female, 5 yr age groups, must be currently registered with a running club affiliated to Athletics NZ.
For runners looking for an even longer challenge, 2022 is the first year the 83km Ultra will incorporate the 2022 New Zealand Long Distance Trail Running Championships. Visit the 83km Ultra event.
Demand is likely to be very high so please register early to avoid missing out.
Carefully read all of this race information. It contains important information about the race and times you need to meet to ensure you make the start (and finish!!). All runners must register and attend their race briefing before being allowed to run their chosen event.
Click here to view the 2022 Entry List
Runners wishing to race for The NZ Athletics Trail Running title, Male and Female, 5 yr age groups, must be currently registered with a running club affiliated to Athletics NZ.
For runners looking for an even longer challenge, 2022 is the first year the 83km Ultra will incorporate the 2022 New Zealand Long Distance Trail Running Championships. Visit the 83km Ultra event.
Demand is likely to be very high so please register early to avoid missing out.
Carefully read all of this race information. It contains important information about the race and times you need to meet to ensure you make the start (and finish!!). All runners must register and attend their race briefing before being allowed to run their chosen event.
Click here to view the 2022 Entry List
Bus and Boat Transport Meet - 5:00AM, Hansen Park
Meet at 5:00 AM at Hansen Park, race headquarters. At 5:15 AM sharp, you will be transported by bus to Lyttelton where you will then be taken by boat to the race start at Diamond Harbour. This is all included in the race entry fee!!
Optionally, when entering online, please let us know if you'll be travelling to the start line by car as this will allow us to add more entrants to what is likely to be a popular event.
Optionally, when entering online, please let us know if you'll be travelling to the start line by car as this will allow us to add more entrants to what is likely to be a popular event.
Race Briefing - 7.05 AM, Diamond Harbour Rugby Grounds
Race briefing is at 7.05 AM at Diamond Harbour Rugby Grounds at the start line.
Race Start - 7.15 AM, Diamond Harbour Rugby Grounds
If you have supporters who wish to see you start the race, they can travel to meet you at the Diamond Harbour Rugby Club Rooms & Grounds where the race start line will be for this event.
Compulsory Gear List
The compulsory gear list is here for your protection and safety. Depending on the weather conditions, a decision will be made before 1:00pm Saturday 15th October 2022 by the Race Director so all runners collecting their race packs on registration day will know whether they require gear list A or B for Sunday.
Compulsory gear checks for the 83KM Ultra, 53KM Crater Rim and 30KM Bellbird Buster will take place at race registration on Saturday 15th October 2022. Please bring your A gear list to registration.
Compulsory Gear List A
Compulsory Gear List B
Compulsory gear checks for the 83KM Ultra, 53KM Crater Rim and 30KM Bellbird Buster will take place at race registration on Saturday 15th October 2022. Please bring your A gear list to registration.
Compulsory Gear List A
- Seam sealed water proof jacket
- Long sleeve thermal top (wool/polypropylene)
- Thermal long johns (long thermal pants)
- Thermal hat
- Thermal gloves
- Emergency space blanket
- Whistle
- Compression bandage
- Ziplock bag for personal rubbish
Compulsory Gear List B
- Seam sealed water proof jacket
- Whistle
- Compression bandage
- Ziplock bag for personal rubbish
Drop Bags
Can be left at start line in Diamond Harbour, they will be taken to Gebbie's Pass (20KMS) and all bags left at Gebbie's Pass at cut off time of 12.15pm will be then taken to the finish line tent at Hansen Park, Opawa for your collection from approx 1.45pm onwards)
Aid Stations, Toilets
The locations of aid / water stations are as follows for the 53km Crater Rim event:
Water only may be available at the Packhorse Hut approximately 14.5km in. However, there are no guarantees of this so please carry sufficient water to reach the Gebbies Pass aid station, approx 20km in.
If the conditions are very hot, we will look at having a water (only) station at the top of Worsley’s Spur. This is only if the conditions are considered to warrant it in the Race Director’s opinion.
Likewise if the conditions are very hot, we will look at a water (only) station at the Montgomery Spur/Rapaki track junction (or thereabouts). This is approximately 3km from the finish line and only if the Race Director considers that the conditions warrant it.
Aid stations will contain the following (subject to change):
If you would like to know more about Tailwind Nutrition NZ head to their Facebook page or website:
http://www.tailwindnutrition.co.nz/
Toilets will be available at the following locations:
- Gebbies Pass - approx 20km in
- Sign of the Bellbird - approx 30km in
- Sign of the Kiwi - approx 39.5km in
- Top of Rapaki/Summit Rd - approx 43km in
- Hansen Park - finish line!
Water only may be available at the Packhorse Hut approximately 14.5km in. However, there are no guarantees of this so please carry sufficient water to reach the Gebbies Pass aid station, approx 20km in.
If the conditions are very hot, we will look at having a water (only) station at the top of Worsley’s Spur. This is only if the conditions are considered to warrant it in the Race Director’s opinion.
Likewise if the conditions are very hot, we will look at a water (only) station at the Montgomery Spur/Rapaki track junction (or thereabouts). This is approximately 3km from the finish line and only if the Race Director considers that the conditions warrant it.
Aid stations will contain the following (subject to change):
- Water
- Tailwind Nutrition in cups (bladders and bottles not be filled)
- Flat Coke
- Lollies
- Pineapple and Watermelon (subject to availability)
- Oranges and Bananas
- Chips
If you would like to know more about Tailwind Nutrition NZ head to their Facebook page or website:
http://www.tailwindnutrition.co.nz/
Toilets will be available at the following locations:
- Diamond Harbour
- Mt Herbet shelter
- Packhorse Hut
- Waibls Farm (2km up from Gebbies Pass/ Summit Road)
- Sign of the Bellbird
- Sign of the Kiwi
- Mt Vernon/Summit Road
- Hansen Park
Timing Mats
All runners must pass over their timing mats to collect their finisher’s medal and for safety out on the course so we can monitor where people are. No timing mat recorded = no finisher’s medal!
For the Crater Rim event, timing mats will be at the following locations:
For the Crater Rim event, timing mats will be at the following locations:
- Diamond Harbour
- Waibls Farm
- Sign of the Kiwi
- Top of Rapaki/Summit Rd
- Hansen Park
- Secret mat location somewhere on the course, look out for it!
Race Cut Off Times
To ensure the safety of our competitors and marshals, this event has cut off times to make it to certain stages of the event by certain times. In the event of any runner missing the Crater Rim cut off times/locations (listed below) they will be offered a ride back to the start/finish line as soon as an organisers vehicle becomes available. Or on contacting a race marshal to state they have retired from the race they will then be able to leave the course in their support crew vehicle.
Location |
Cut Off Time |
Gebbies Pass/Summit Road (approximately 20KMS) |
12.15 PM |
Sign of the Bellbird (approximately 30KMS) |
2.15 PM |
Sign of the Kiwi (Approximately 39KMS) |
3:30 PM |
Race Course & Maps
NOTE: Map indicative only and subject to change.
To view this map of the event including 3D elevation views, total elevations and other information, you can click the following link to open using MapMyRun.com: Full Map View
To view this map of the event including 3D elevation views, total elevations and other information, you can click the following link to open using MapMyRun.com: Full Map View
Course Description -
Busing/boating from Hansen Park. Arrive by 5:00AM to board buses. LAST BUS LEAVES HANSEN PARK at approx. 5.30 AM sharp.
Race day starts inside the Diamond Harbour Rugby grounds where runners must get signed in as well as random safety gear checks beginning from 6.15AM
The 53 km Ultra race starts at 7.15AM with runners completing a circuit of the DHR grounds before turning left out of park onto the footpath on Waipapa Avenue, heading up past the tennis club and following on Waipapa Ave. The road veers right onto Bay View Rd and continues along Bay View Rd (which becomes a gravel road). Follow cone/course ribbon markers.
At 1.9 kms approx. from start of race, runners turn left, (sign posted or marshal here) on to the trail track following orange topped waratah markers (as seen in Race Promo Video) that winds all the way up (over several stiles/fences) to the summit of Mt. Herbert (919 m)- (at 8.9 kms approx.)
(Marshals here) Bibs MUST be visibly seen by marshals, runners turn right here, and continue on the trail towards the Pack-horse Hut.
Note: Toilet is available at Mt. Herbert Shelter (at 9.5 kms approx.) on left just past Mt. Herbert Summit.
At Pack-horse Hut, a toilet and limited water may be available here also. (14.3 kms approx.) Marshals will guide runners on the trail towards Gebbie’s Pass on Summit Rd. (1st Aid Station here at 20.1 kms approx.) Hagley Tramping club is marshaling here.
Runners are guided over this intersection to Gebbie's Pass Rd/Summit Rd (marshal here), over cattle grate on Summit Rd and then immediately right onto landowners private property. Runners follow course markers for approx. 2 kms and onto a farmers private property - Waibl's farm, (Marshal here). Runners continue following course markers, trail comes out half way up Summit Rd. (Waibl's farm) Runners cross over Summit Rd (marshals here) immediately into new farmland. This is the start line for the new "Bellbird Buster 30 kms" starting at 9:15AM.
Runners follow course markers up a 4WD drive track. Please note that in some parts the trail is narrow and runners must take care. Follow markers all the way and trail turns right (signage here) that has runners coming out at Waibls Track/Summit Rd.
Marshals here will guide you safely over road where runners will then run on right side of road (Lyttelton side)up to Ahuriri Reserve and the start of the Crater Rim Trail Track. Marshals here will guide you onto the Track.
PLEASE NOTE: This section of road may have cyclists heading down to Gebbies Pass as ROAD IS OPEN TO ALL TRAFFIC AT ALL TIMES so our marshals will ask bikes to go down slowly for this 500m and as a runner YOU HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP YOURSELF SAFE ESPECIALLY ON THIS ROAD SECTION (500m in total) Marshals then guide runners onto the Crater Rim Trail Track. Runners stay on this trail (markers/trail guide the way)
At approx. 31 kms runners will sight the Sign of the Bellbird Hut on the left of Summit Rd. Aid Station/single toilet avail here.(Lyttelton Harbour side)
Follow Crater Rim track around and along to the Hoon Hay reserve where marshals direct runners across Summit Rd and on to grass trail, through a small swing gate and runners will be guided up Worsley Spur Rd (left on grass burm,)
At the top of the road follow trail down Worsley Spur trail track (look out for ribbon markers ) for approx 1.5k where marshals will direct you into The Chch Adventure Bike Park (private land here - please respect) Runners will follow the "Uphill Track" for approx 1.3km where during this assent there will be 5 mountain bike track crossings as you stay on the Uphill Track (look out for cyclists - its very well sign posted )
Runners will come back out near the top of Worsley Spur trail again, and retrace their steps back down Worsley Spur Road where runners will be guided back onto the Crater Rim Trail Track. Runners follow this trail (Below Flying Nun bike trail) out to Summit Rd.
Marshal(s) guide runners across Summit Road and back onto a "new'ish" trail track (approx 1.6k long) that takes you around to Coronation Reserve. Runners continue to follow trail staying right and going behind the Sign of the Kiwi Cafe where trail comes out at monument beside Sign of Kiwi (Aid Station/toilets avail. here)
Busy intersection here and Aid station 2 (approx. 39.5km). Toilets available here. Marshal(s) guide runners’ right across Dyers Rd to Sugar Loaf Scenic Reserve. Runners climb steps up and onto Cedrics track following course marker ribbons all the way up to Sugar loaf car park. Here marshal(s) guide runners along behind wooden bollards and back onto Crater Rim Walkway. Trail carries on around front of Sugar Loaf Tower.
Trail takes runners over fence, stay on the right side trail here and onto a T section in trail (in approx. 100m). Runners turn left onto Gilpins Track towards Rapaki Track. Stay on lower trail track (above Summit Rd), follow orange waratahs and course ribbons on the trail round and onto Mt. Vernon track all the way back to Rapaki Track (above Summit Rd) Aid station 3 is located here- mobile toilet also avail.
When you arrive back at Rapaki track/Summit Rd, (approx 43.5km) turn sharp right after crossing through cattle grate onto a single bike track that takes runners downhill(approx 1.8km) until you see marshals where you will be guided onto the Montgomery Spur Bike/Trail track.
Runners will follow markers and run clockwise over this 4k loop track back to Rapaki Track and runners then head all the way down to Centaurus Rd,(approx 52k) sharp left turn (between road cone markers) on to footpath, cross Vernon Terrace (between road cone markers) and then safely cross Centaurus Rd opposite Scout Den. (Major Marshal area here, please follow Marshals instructions FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY), turn right at river where track markers guide runners back along river and turn right over Aynsley St bridge, turn left onto footpath and back into Hansen Park and follow markers to the finish line outside club rooms. (approx. 53.1KMS)
FINISHED !!!! Well done. Relax now.
Race day starts inside the Diamond Harbour Rugby grounds where runners must get signed in as well as random safety gear checks beginning from 6.15AM
The 53 km Ultra race starts at 7.15AM with runners completing a circuit of the DHR grounds before turning left out of park onto the footpath on Waipapa Avenue, heading up past the tennis club and following on Waipapa Ave. The road veers right onto Bay View Rd and continues along Bay View Rd (which becomes a gravel road). Follow cone/course ribbon markers.
At 1.9 kms approx. from start of race, runners turn left, (sign posted or marshal here) on to the trail track following orange topped waratah markers (as seen in Race Promo Video) that winds all the way up (over several stiles/fences) to the summit of Mt. Herbert (919 m)- (at 8.9 kms approx.)
(Marshals here) Bibs MUST be visibly seen by marshals, runners turn right here, and continue on the trail towards the Pack-horse Hut.
Note: Toilet is available at Mt. Herbert Shelter (at 9.5 kms approx.) on left just past Mt. Herbert Summit.
At Pack-horse Hut, a toilet and limited water may be available here also. (14.3 kms approx.) Marshals will guide runners on the trail towards Gebbie’s Pass on Summit Rd. (1st Aid Station here at 20.1 kms approx.) Hagley Tramping club is marshaling here.
Runners are guided over this intersection to Gebbie's Pass Rd/Summit Rd (marshal here), over cattle grate on Summit Rd and then immediately right onto landowners private property. Runners follow course markers for approx. 2 kms and onto a farmers private property - Waibl's farm, (Marshal here). Runners continue following course markers, trail comes out half way up Summit Rd. (Waibl's farm) Runners cross over Summit Rd (marshals here) immediately into new farmland. This is the start line for the new "Bellbird Buster 30 kms" starting at 9:15AM.
Runners follow course markers up a 4WD drive track. Please note that in some parts the trail is narrow and runners must take care. Follow markers all the way and trail turns right (signage here) that has runners coming out at Waibls Track/Summit Rd.
Marshals here will guide you safely over road where runners will then run on right side of road (Lyttelton side)up to Ahuriri Reserve and the start of the Crater Rim Trail Track. Marshals here will guide you onto the Track.
PLEASE NOTE: This section of road may have cyclists heading down to Gebbies Pass as ROAD IS OPEN TO ALL TRAFFIC AT ALL TIMES so our marshals will ask bikes to go down slowly for this 500m and as a runner YOU HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP YOURSELF SAFE ESPECIALLY ON THIS ROAD SECTION (500m in total) Marshals then guide runners onto the Crater Rim Trail Track. Runners stay on this trail (markers/trail guide the way)
At approx. 31 kms runners will sight the Sign of the Bellbird Hut on the left of Summit Rd. Aid Station/single toilet avail here.(Lyttelton Harbour side)
Follow Crater Rim track around and along to the Hoon Hay reserve where marshals direct runners across Summit Rd and on to grass trail, through a small swing gate and runners will be guided up Worsley Spur Rd (left on grass burm,)
At the top of the road follow trail down Worsley Spur trail track (look out for ribbon markers ) for approx 1.5k where marshals will direct you into The Chch Adventure Bike Park (private land here - please respect) Runners will follow the "Uphill Track" for approx 1.3km where during this assent there will be 5 mountain bike track crossings as you stay on the Uphill Track (look out for cyclists - its very well sign posted )
Runners will come back out near the top of Worsley Spur trail again, and retrace their steps back down Worsley Spur Road where runners will be guided back onto the Crater Rim Trail Track. Runners follow this trail (Below Flying Nun bike trail) out to Summit Rd.
Marshal(s) guide runners across Summit Road and back onto a "new'ish" trail track (approx 1.6k long) that takes you around to Coronation Reserve. Runners continue to follow trail staying right and going behind the Sign of the Kiwi Cafe where trail comes out at monument beside Sign of Kiwi (Aid Station/toilets avail. here)
Busy intersection here and Aid station 2 (approx. 39.5km). Toilets available here. Marshal(s) guide runners’ right across Dyers Rd to Sugar Loaf Scenic Reserve. Runners climb steps up and onto Cedrics track following course marker ribbons all the way up to Sugar loaf car park. Here marshal(s) guide runners along behind wooden bollards and back onto Crater Rim Walkway. Trail carries on around front of Sugar Loaf Tower.
Trail takes runners over fence, stay on the right side trail here and onto a T section in trail (in approx. 100m). Runners turn left onto Gilpins Track towards Rapaki Track. Stay on lower trail track (above Summit Rd), follow orange waratahs and course ribbons on the trail round and onto Mt. Vernon track all the way back to Rapaki Track (above Summit Rd) Aid station 3 is located here- mobile toilet also avail.
When you arrive back at Rapaki track/Summit Rd, (approx 43.5km) turn sharp right after crossing through cattle grate onto a single bike track that takes runners downhill(approx 1.8km) until you see marshals where you will be guided onto the Montgomery Spur Bike/Trail track.
Runners will follow markers and run clockwise over this 4k loop track back to Rapaki Track and runners then head all the way down to Centaurus Rd,(approx 52k) sharp left turn (between road cone markers) on to footpath, cross Vernon Terrace (between road cone markers) and then safely cross Centaurus Rd opposite Scout Den. (Major Marshal area here, please follow Marshals instructions FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY), turn right at river where track markers guide runners back along river and turn right over Aynsley St bridge, turn left onto footpath and back into Hansen Park and follow markers to the finish line outside club rooms. (approx. 53.1KMS)
FINISHED !!!! Well done. Relax now.
