Ultra 80KM - RACE INFORMATION
For 2023 the 80km Ultra will incorporate the 2023 New Zealand Long Distance Trail Running Championships (this will be formally confirmed very soon). The Championship will be an Open Grade event only (no age grades).
Runners wishing to race for The NZ Athletics Trail Running title, Male and Female must be currently registered with a running club affiliated to Athletics NZ.
This does not affect the age grades for the Ultra itself which will be the same as last year.
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.
Runners wishing to race for The NZ Athletics Trail Running title, Male and Female must be currently registered with a running club affiliated to Athletics NZ.
This does not affect the age grades for the Ultra itself which will be the same as last year.
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.
Race Briefing - 4.50 AM, Hansen Park
Race briefing is at 4.50 AM at Hansen Park at the start line.
Race Start - 5:00 AM, Hansen Park
Your race start and finish line are on the flat at Hansen Park before commencing the trail running portion of the course.
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 14th October 2023 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 80K Ultra, 53K Crater Rim and 30K Bellbird Buster will take place at race registration on Saturday 14th October 2023. Please bring your A gear list to registration.
Compulsory Gear List A
Compulsory Gear List B
Compulsory gear checks for the 80K Ultra, 53K Crater Rim and 30K Bellbird Buster will take place at race registration on Saturday 14th October 2023. 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
- Fully charged headlight
Compulsory Gear List B
- Seam sealed water proof jacket
- Whistle
- Compression bandage
- Ziplock bag for personal rubbish
- Fully charged headlight
Drop Bags
Can be left at start line at Hansen Park. They will be taken to Gebbie's Pass (30KM outward run and 55KM return run) and all bags left at Gebbie's Pass at cut off time of 3pm will be then taken to the finish line tent at Hansen Park for your collection from approx. 4pm onwards. If you want two drop bags make sure they are clearly marked as outward and return bags.
Aid Stations, Toilets
Aid Stations
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:
- 0km -Start – Hansen Park
- 19km – Sign of the Bellbird,
- 28km – Gebbies Pass
- 60km – Gebbies Pass (return)
- 68km - Ohinetahi (return)
- 72km - TV Communications Tower carpark
- 77km - Top of Rapaki
- 80km - Finish – Hansen Park
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:
- Hansen Park – start
- Top of Rapaki Track
- TV Communications Tower carpark
- Ohinetahi
- Waibl’s Farm (2km before Gebbies Pass)
- Packhorse Hut
- Mt. Herbert shelter
- Packhorse Hut
- Waibls Farm (2km up from Gebbies Pass/ Summit Road)
- Ohinetahi
- TV Communications Tower carpark
- Top of Rapaki / Summit Road
- Hansen Park- finish
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 Ultra event, timing mats will be at the following locations:
For the Ultra event, timing mats will be at the following locations:
- Hansen Park
- Top of Rapaki/Summit Rd
- Sign of the Kiwi
- Waibls Farm - continuation of Individual event.
- 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 Ultra 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.
Strict cut offs will apply in the Crater Rim Ultra. On return to the finish all entrants must leave the:
Strict cut offs will apply in the Crater Rim Ultra. On return to the finish all entrants must leave the:
- Gebbies Pass check point (55 km approx.) by 3 pm (1500).
- Sign of the Kiwi check point (75 km approx.) by 6:30 pm (1830).
Race Course & Maps
NOTE: Map indicative only.
80km Course Description
Start in Christchurch City at Hansen Park in St Martins. Arrive early to prepare and get set for the race briefing at 4:45am.
The 80km Ultra race starts at 5am at Hansen Park following the park trail along the Heathcote River for 1.3km before turning out of the park over the river footbridge then right onto the footpath on Aynsley Terrace, heading through the native forest reserve before turning past the Scout Den. Cross Centaurus Road at the designated crossing then up Rapaki Road (which becomes a gravel road). Follow cone/course ribbon markers 2.5km up the hill. Continue all the way up the Rapaki Track and across the Summit Road.
Turn right onto the Crater Rim Trail and follow the Crater Rim single track as it winds its way up and over a number of small undulations to the Sugarloaf carpark. Cross the carpark and drop down the gravel trail and steps to the road crossing at the Sign of the Kiwi (toilets available here). From here follow all tape and track markers south. From the Kiwi take a loop around Coronation Hill Reserve before crossing Summit Road at the Flying Nun before you get to the Worsley Spur crossing and then cross the Summit Road a second time to rejoin the Crater Rim Trail. Head past the Kennedys Bush Trail on the Canterbury Plains side of the spur. Continue down to the Sign of the Bellbird carpark where you will find the first aid station (all aid station locations will be available from here and on the return to Hansen Park).
Head south on the trail on technical rocky terrain, under forest cover and over open tussocks. Enjoy the views across to Gibraltar Rock and Lake Ellesmere as the trail heads up past Coopers Knob before dropping down through forest to the Summit Road. Follow all marshal instructions as you run down the Summit Road before entering the track entrance on the right.
Follow all tape and markers on technical trail before a tight left-hand turn and steep descent on 4WD track to the start of the Bellbird Buster 30K. Marshals will assist you across the Summit Road. Run down onto private land through Pine Forest
and farmland. The trail here is steep at times. Pop out from the private land next to Gebbies Pass.
Follow all marshal instructions as you cross the busy road and head out on the iconic trail to the Sign of the Packhorse.
This trail is a mix of pasture, forestry and open tussock. There is a mix of 4WD, technical rock and fast downhills. From the Packhorse turn left on the trail that passes around Mt Bradley on the harbour side. This trail undulates through steep technical tussock, forest cover and super-fast grass. Turn right in the Orton Bradley Park valley, following the marshal instructions, for the haul up 4WD track to the saddle between Mt Bradley and Herbert. Turn left at the saddle. The last climb to Mt Herbert is
through subalpine vegetation with 360-degree views.
When you are on the main summit, head east along the ridge to Herbert’s second peak. Tag the top and celebrate the turnaround point. You have traversed Banks Peninsula’s highest maunga, Te Ahu Pātiki/Mt Herbert. From here enjoy the views before following the trail back to the Herbert/Bradley Saddle where, rather than descending the 4WD trail you came up, stay on the eastern side; you’ll join the 53km Crater Rim course. The section to the Packhorse is on technical single track. There are some exposed drop-offs so take care as you descend.
Once you get to the Packhorse Hut, the return to Christchurch City is on the same trail you have taken. A classic out and back!
Note:
Finished!!!! Well done. Relax now.
The 80km Ultra race starts at 5am at Hansen Park following the park trail along the Heathcote River for 1.3km before turning out of the park over the river footbridge then right onto the footpath on Aynsley Terrace, heading through the native forest reserve before turning past the Scout Den. Cross Centaurus Road at the designated crossing then up Rapaki Road (which becomes a gravel road). Follow cone/course ribbon markers 2.5km up the hill. Continue all the way up the Rapaki Track and across the Summit Road.
Turn right onto the Crater Rim Trail and follow the Crater Rim single track as it winds its way up and over a number of small undulations to the Sugarloaf carpark. Cross the carpark and drop down the gravel trail and steps to the road crossing at the Sign of the Kiwi (toilets available here). From here follow all tape and track markers south. From the Kiwi take a loop around Coronation Hill Reserve before crossing Summit Road at the Flying Nun before you get to the Worsley Spur crossing and then cross the Summit Road a second time to rejoin the Crater Rim Trail. Head past the Kennedys Bush Trail on the Canterbury Plains side of the spur. Continue down to the Sign of the Bellbird carpark where you will find the first aid station (all aid station locations will be available from here and on the return to Hansen Park).
Head south on the trail on technical rocky terrain, under forest cover and over open tussocks. Enjoy the views across to Gibraltar Rock and Lake Ellesmere as the trail heads up past Coopers Knob before dropping down through forest to the Summit Road. Follow all marshal instructions as you run down the Summit Road before entering the track entrance on the right.
Follow all tape and markers on technical trail before a tight left-hand turn and steep descent on 4WD track to the start of the Bellbird Buster 30K. Marshals will assist you across the Summit Road. Run down onto private land through Pine Forest
and farmland. The trail here is steep at times. Pop out from the private land next to Gebbies Pass.
Follow all marshal instructions as you cross the busy road and head out on the iconic trail to the Sign of the Packhorse.
This trail is a mix of pasture, forestry and open tussock. There is a mix of 4WD, technical rock and fast downhills. From the Packhorse turn left on the trail that passes around Mt Bradley on the harbour side. This trail undulates through steep technical tussock, forest cover and super-fast grass. Turn right in the Orton Bradley Park valley, following the marshal instructions, for the haul up 4WD track to the saddle between Mt Bradley and Herbert. Turn left at the saddle. The last climb to Mt Herbert is
through subalpine vegetation with 360-degree views.
When you are on the main summit, head east along the ridge to Herbert’s second peak. Tag the top and celebrate the turnaround point. You have traversed Banks Peninsula’s highest maunga, Te Ahu Pātiki/Mt Herbert. From here enjoy the views before following the trail back to the Herbert/Bradley Saddle where, rather than descending the 4WD trail you came up, stay on the eastern side; you’ll join the 53km Crater Rim course. The section to the Packhorse is on technical single track. There are some exposed drop-offs so take care as you descend.
Once you get to the Packhorse Hut, the return to Christchurch City is on the same trail you have taken. A classic out and back!
Note:
- Runners will be given a wristband at the Herbert’s second peak turnaround.
- A toilet is available at Mt Herbert Shelter near Mt Herbert Summit.
- At Packhorse Hut, a toilet and limited water are available. Marshals will guide runners on the trail.
- towards Gebbies Pass on Summit Rd. Hagley Tramping club is marshalling here.
Please note: road is open to all traffic at all times. As a runner you have a responsibility to keep yourself safe, especially on the road sections up and down to Gebbies Pass (500m in total).
Finished!!!! Well done. Relax now.
