Ruapehu Trail Festival

This is one beast of a trail running and walking festival, featuring multiple events, held in the Tongariro National Park.

Be part of something BIG when Victory Events bring together two outstanding, trusted events, the Ring of Fire and Tussock Traverse, and introduce a new and exciting event to the mix, the Sky Waka Vertical Challenge! The location is awe-inspiring, the atmosphere will be exhilarating and the Ruapehu region will be pumping!

Ruapehu, Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand
From March 10 to
March 12, 2023
3 days
Brash Consulting Ltd
41 Simmonds Cres Springfield Rotorua 3015
+64 7 347 1272

FESTIVAL PROGRAM

Ruapehu Trail Festival

SKY WAKA VERTICAL CHALLENGE

FRIDAY 10TH MARCH 2023
Sky Waka Vertical Challenge - Ruapehu Trail Festival
Sky Waka Vertical Challenge Course Map
(Click map to enlarge)
Elevation Each Loop: 400m up, 10m down.

SKY WAKA VERTICAL CHALLENGE – OVERVIEW
Come and run where the mountains meet the sky.
Take on Aotearoa’s unique sky-running challenge at Whakapapa Ski Area, Mount Ruapehu, where athletes attempt to ascend the highest mountains from the seven continents of the world. A New Zealand first, presented by Victory Events and Mt Ruapehu, the Sky Waka Vertical Challenge sees individuals, pairs, and teams of 3 knock off as much mountain elevation as possible in four hours!

Participants (or as we like to call them, legends), use pure leg, core, and willpower to ascend the mountain on the Waterfalls Descent Track. They will then be rewarded with a much-deserved ride on the Sky Waka Gondola to bring them back down to the event base/transition area where they can either do it all over again, or for teams of 3, tag in a teammate!

Expect a super-charged atmosphere with music, live commentary, and supporters cheering on their favourite athletes as they rack up the metres to their target peak. Will they be gunning for the Mt Ruapehu Peak (2797m), the Mount Elbrus Peak (5,642m), or the big guy, the Mount Everest Peak (8,850m)?

Are you more of a speed demon? Take on the Sky Waka Vertical Challenge 400m Dash where you have one shot at recording the fastest time to scale the 400m of mountain elevation across the 2.5km course.

And a bonus for everyone involved, a portion of your entry fee will go toward supporting the Taupo Greenlea Rescue Helicopter!

EVENT OPTIONS

SKY WAKA VERTICAL CHALLENGE
4 HOUR LAPS EVENT
This is an event that puts individuals, pairs, and teams of 3 on a mountain mission to ‘knock off’ as much mountain elevation as possible by completing multiple laps in the allocated time of 4 hours. Participants will ascend the Waterfalls Descent Track, and descend on the Sky Waka Gondola back to the event base/transition area.

The event course is a sky-running beast and a well-marked 2.5km loop course. The lowest elevation point on the loop is 1610m (Bruce Road roundabout), and the highest elevation point is 2010m (top of the Sky Waka).

Each lap completed sees 400m of mountain elevation added to your score.

Every 100m of climbing absolutely counts. Timing mats will be placed at the 100m, 200m, 300m, and 400m marks on the loop, so every time a timing mat is crossed, your score increases by 100m! When the course cut-off time is reached, the winners of each respective category will be the individuals, pairs, or teams of 3 with the highest score (which is essentilly the total elevation metres banked).

Your Score – How You Stack Up Against The Mighty Mountains

1600m. The “Mountain Mile”
2300m. Mount Kosciuszko Peak – highest peak in Australia – 2228m
2800m. Mt Ruapehu Peak – 2797m
3200m. The “Double Mountain Mile”
3800m. Aoraki / Mount Cook – highest peak in New Zealand – 3724m

For the serious players, here are the highest peaks in each continent to aim for.
4900m. Jaya Peak (Mount Carstensz) – Australia/Oceania – 4884m
4900m. Vinson Massif Peak – Antarctica – 4,892m
5700m. Mount Elbrus Peak – Europe – 5,642m
5900m. Kilimanjaro Peak – Africa – 5,895m
6200m. Denali Peak – North America – 6,190m
7000m. Mount Aconcagua Peak – South America – 6,962m
8900m. Mount Everest Peak – Asia – 8,850m
Additional Vertical Inspiration:

Here’s An Example Score for “Team Victory Events” (a team of 3)
Team Member 1: 5 Laps completed (2000m)
Team Member 2: 5 Laps completed + 200m timing mat reached on lap 6 (2200m)
Team Member 3: 4 Laps completed + 100m timing mat reached on lap 5 (1700m)
Team Total Score / Metres 5900m.

The collective climbing metres that Sky Waka Vertical Challenge entrants attain will be mind-blowing! The overall results will show how many successful summits of Mount Ruapehu have been achieved by entrants, and also how many times the highest peaks in each continent have been successfully summited.

Category Options:
Indviduals: leave nothing in the tank. Climb up > Sky Waka down > Climb up > Sky Waka down > rinse and repeat.
Pairs: you must stay together at all times. Rest when you need, punish yourself at all other times.
Teams of 3: a touch more social with a strategic edge. Only 2 team members can be on the event course at any one time – 1 team member must remain at the event base at all times. Who tags who? What pace do team members run? Well, that’s all up to you.

SKY WAKA VERTICAL CHALLENGE 400M DASH EVENT

The 400m Dash is a separate event held on the same morning as the 4-hour laps event, that simply sees individual entrants have one shot at recording the fastest time to scale the 400m of mountain elevation, on the 2.5km course.

Ascend the Waterfalls Descent Track.
Descend on the Sky Waka Gondola.

ENTRY FEE SKY WAKA VERTICAL CHALLENGE

Please be advised: Pricing will be confirmed AFTER the draft event day schedule (shown above) receives its final alteration in the coming weeks. Pricing for all categories will be available to view prior to entries opening.

If you are entered in an Tussock Traverse or Ring of Fire event, ask us for a 10% discount code which can be applied to your entry.

Further Entry, Registration and Scheduling info can be found here.

YOUR DRAFT EVENT DAY SCHEDULE

Please be advised: The draft schedule below is subject to minor alterations in the coming weeks but should provide a good overview of how the day might look.

6.40am: Sky Waka Vertical Challenge – 4 Hour Laps Event Race Briefing (top of Bruce Road)
6.41am: Civil Twilight
7.00am – 7.10am: Sky Waka Vertical Challenge – 4 Hour Laps Event (Individual Category START in waves)
7.10am – 7.20am: Sky Waka Vertical Challenge – 4 Hour Laps Event (Pairs Category START in waves)
7.11am: sunrise
7.20am – 7.30am: Sky Waka Vertical Challenge – 4 Hour Laps Event (Teams of 3 Category START in waves)
8.00am – 10.15am: Sky Waka Vertical Challenge – 400m Dash Event (Individuals START in waves)
11.00am – 11.30am: course cut-off times apply to respective events
12.00pm – 1.00pm: prizegiving

NOTE:
2.00pm: registration opens for the Ring of Fire and Tussock Traverse distance options at the Chateau Tongariro

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Team Details

Your 3-person team for the Sky Waka Vertical Challenge may well be the same as your Ring of Fire Relay team
Your 2 or 3-person team can be mixed, male or female – you choose
The age category for your team will be based on your oldest team member
NO Friday Registration
Thursday evening pre event registration between 5.15pm and 7.15pm is compulsory for all Sky Waka Vertical Challenge entrants. There is no opportunity for pre event registration on race day.

Minimum Age
Entrants must be 16 years on event day unless an exemption (based on previous performances) is granted by the Race Management team. Requests can be emailed to info@ruapehutrailfestival.co.nz

Compulsory Gear
Information coming soon.

Entry Qualification
This event is a beast and you must be fully prepared to take on this distance and level of elevation change, high up in the mountains. Our safety management plan is comprehensive and is resourced to respond to both well prepared entrants “having a bad day” and the usual spills an event like this usually has. It is however critical that underprepared entrants in any specific distance are shifted to an alternate distance – one in which they feel fully prepared to meet the challenge ahead. There is no prerequisite qualifying time for the Sky Waka Vertical Challenge events as such (that may come in future years) but you will be asked to submit answers to some simple questions (shown below) during the online registration process.

In accordance with our Safety Management documentation and upon reviewing your supplied info, our course team reserves the right to:
– Request additional/updated information/evidence of preparedness from you.
– Downgrade your entry to a shorter distance (appropriate refunds will be made in these scenerios)

Tracks & Terrain Used
All entrants start the event outside the Sky Waka gondola platform at the top of Bruce Road. They then run approx. 100m down BruceRoad, then turn anti clockwise around the roundabout, before heading 100m back up Bruce Road. Entrants then follow the Waterfalls Descent Track right up to the entry point of the Sky Waka Gondola at Knoll Ridge. Once back down, another loop begins by heading down Bruce Road towards the roundabout….

Course Cut-Off Times
All Sky Waka Vertical Challenge – 4 Hour Laps Events (suprise suprise) have 4 hours on course after the start gun goes off for their wave. Depending on the course location of entrants once the 4 hours is complete will determine how entrants need to make their own way back to event base (more information on this coming soon) for the midday prizegiving.

All Sky Waka Vertical Challenge 400m Dash Events must complete the 2.5km course and reach the Sky Waka Gondola at Knoll Ridge within 1 hour after the start gun goes for their wave.

Aid Station
It’s strongly recommended all entrants are 100% self sufficient on course. There will be one aid station on course just prior to entrants heading up the Waterfalls Descent Track – meaning entrants will see an aid station after every 2.5km they complete. The station will have medical support, food, shelter and drinks available to entrants. More specific details on this coming soon.

Time Spent In The Dark
Due to the early morning start (sunrise not being until 7.11am) entrants and supporters are encouraged to be armed with headlamps when moving from the carparking areas, up to the race briefing/start area in the morning. As Civil Twilight is at 6.41am and the first runners are on course at 7.00am there should be no need for headlamps on the event course as such.

A Cupless Event
We are not providing cups at the Aid Stations because we are trying to minimise the waste created from the event. Please bring your own cup or cups. There are some very good silicone cups for sale in NZ.

Drop Bag Service
Anytime during the Thursday event registration, entrants have the opportunity to provide our crew with specific gear/food/drink that they would like available to them at Aid Station at the bottom of the Waterfalls Descent Track. All gear must be in your own bags (ideally super recognisable to you). Make sure your bags are sealed, compact and have your name on them. Drop bags will need to be collected by entrants prior to the end of the event prizegiving.

Parking and Transport Info
There will be plenty of parking made available near the top of Bruce Road for your early morning start line adventure. As the event starts and finishes at the top of Bruce Road there is no bus transport associated with this event.

RING OF FIRE RELAY
SATURDAY 11TH MARCH 2023
Ring of Fire Relay

(Click map to enlarge)
Total Elevation: 3555 up, 3555 down.
See individual leg elevation info below.

ENTRY FEE ROF RELAY
Inclusions, for each team member, a pair of limited edition Steigen Ring of Fire Socks and a limited edition finisher medal! Also included: FREE Sky Waka Gondola ride and complimentary buffet breakfast on Sunday 12th March 2023 for ROF Prize Giving.

SUPER Early Bird
$519.00
14th to 30th June 2022

Early
$594.00
1st July to 31st October 2022

Standard
$669.00
1st November 2022 to 20 February 2023

Late
$744.00
21st February to 10th March 2023

YOUR EVENT DAY SCHEDULE
4.10am: Wave A starts
4.15am: Wave B starts
7.11am: Sunrise
10.30am: Course cut-off for LEG 1 RUNNER to have finished, AND LEG 2 RUNNER to have left the Ohakune Mountain Road transition area
12.00pm: First finisher expected
4.30pm: Course cut-off for LEG 2 RUNNER to have passed through Tukino Aid Station (at which point LEG 3 RUNNER commences) and be on the 8km downhill stretch of Tukino Road down to the LEG 3 start area
6.10pm: Course cut-off for LEG 3 RUNNER to have completed the 8km uphill stretch of Tukino Road and have passed through Tukino Aid Station and into the Round The Mountain Track
7.45pm: Sunset
7.50pm: Course cut-off for LEG 3 RUNNER to have left Waihohonu Hut
11.00pm: Course cut-off for LEG 3 RUNNER to have finished the relay

Further Entry, Registration and Scheduling info can be found here.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Choosing your Relay Team

Your relay team must have 3 team members assigned to run 1 of the 3 legs each (no runners can run 2 legs).
Your team can be mixed, male or female – you choose.
Your age category will be based upon your oldest team member.
NO Saturday Registration
Friday pre event registration is compulsory for all Ring of Fire relay entrants.
There is no opportunity for pre event registration on race day.

Minimum Age
Entrants must be 18 years on event day unless an exemption (based on previous performances) is granted by the Race Management team. Requests can be emailed to info@ruapehutrailfestival.co.nz

Compulsory Gear
Each team member of the relay requires the absolute full list of compulsory gear and that is the same gear as the Ring of Fire 50km and 73km solo entrants. Please download this file Comp Gear 73km and 50km for details on exactly what is required so you are prepared.

Check out our sponsors, True Fleece Merino for your base layer long sleeve and beanie!

Entry Qualification
This event is a beast and you must be fully prepared to take on this distance and level of elevation change, high up in the mountains. Our safety management plan is comprehensive and is resourced to respond to both well prepared entrants “having a bad day” and the usual spills an event like this usually has. It is however critical that underprepared entrants in any specific distance are shifted to an alternate distance – one in which they feel fully prepared to meet the challenge ahead. There is no prerequisite qualifying time for the Relay event as such (that may come in future years) but you will be asked to submit answers to some simple questions (shown below) during the online registration process.

In accordance with our Safety Management documentation and upon reviewing your supplied info, our course team reserves the right to:
– Request additional/updated information/evidence of preparedness from you.
– Downgrade your entry to a shorter distance (appropriate refunds will be made in these scenerios)

Tracks & Terrain Used
The event is held on the Ruapehu Around the Mountain Track. The Ring of Fire 73km solo event starts and finishes at the Chateau Tongariro (on Bruce Road) and will consist of three legs as described at the bottom of this page.

LEG ONE
Renowned as ‘The Original Goat’ course, this leg in Ring of Fire will be a modified version of The Original Goat route travelling up the Silica Rapids track onto the Whakapapaiti Track branching onto the Round the Mountain track.

Distance: 24km
Start/Finish: kick off the Relay from the Chateau Tongariro (Bruce Road) and finish at the changeover point 400m past the driveway to the MUAC Hut (on Ohakune Mountain Road)
Elevation: +1444m, -1139m
Summary: Technical – elevated, exposed.
Description: This is the most technical leg and you start well and truely in the dark. The course is a rough trail with stones, creek crossings, uneven ground, rock scrambles and many small but cumulative elevation changes.

Click map to enlarge

LEG TWO
We will refer to as ‘The Missing Link for the middle leg of the Ring of Fire Relay.

Distance: 33km (25km of the “Ring of Fire” + 8km of the Downhill section of Tukino Access Road)
Start/Finish: begin 400m lower than the MUAC Hut (on Ohakune Mountain Road) and finish at the Tussock Traverse 32km start line (near the beginning of Tukino Access Road)
Elevation: +1271m, -1629m
Summary: technical, big valleys, climbing, long, exposed in sections
Description: This leg starts with the Ohakune Mountain Road descent, then enters native bush trails. It breaks into open boulder fields and includes the crossing of the Wahianoa River (there is a swing bridge) and then into the sand, tussock and rocky terrain at the top of the Rangipo Desert. From the Tukino Aid Station, you head down down down the Tukino Access Road to the 32km start line (see more about Tukino Access Road in the “Tukino Connection” section below).

Click map to enlarge

LEG THREE
Renowned as ‘The Tussock Traverse’ leg.

Distance: 32km (8km of the Uphill section of Tukino Access Road, followed by 24km of the “Ring of Fire”)
Start/Finish: start at the Tussock Traverse 32km start line and finish outside the Chateau Tongariro
Elevation: +0591m, -0874m
Summary: true desert landscape features wind-sculptured sands and volcanic rock to Waihohonu stream climbing to the Tama Saddle before descending homeward on well-formed tracks
Description: the easiest leg of the race – the track surface is excellent and the elevation is quite gentle. The Waihohonu Hut is the only hut on this section. Highlights include passing between Mount Ruapehu on your left and Mount Ngauruhoe and Tongariro on your right. The final 10km or so are a gentle downhill past the impressive Taranaki Falls and onto the finish line. Be sure to read more about Tukino Access Road in the “Tukino Connection” section below.

Click map to enlarge

The “Tukino Connection”
You know the Ring of Fire solo athletes complete 73km, and you know the last Ring of Fire Relay was 73km, so why is the 2023 total Relay distance 89km?

In previous years…. the changeover location where the leg 2 runner tagged the leg 3 runner was on an exposed ridgeline with not much room to swing a cat. It involved the leg 3 runner catching a bus, and then boarding a bumpy smaller shuttle to the changeover spot, and regardless of how well that was all timed, the leg 3 runner was often left hanging out on that exposed ridgeline for a long period of time (while the leg 2 runner was being knocked around on course by the brutal hills and probably taking longer than anticipated). Once the leg 3 runner finally set off, there were more shuttles and a bus to contend with for the team to get off the mountain.

In 2023 here’s the plan…
Tukino Access Road will be known as a dynamic changeover area:
In 2023 once the leg 2 runner hits the timing mat at the Tukino Aid Station, the leg 3 runner will be told by our event crew they can set-off from the new changeover point (the 32km start line). At this time the leg 2 runner will be running 8km down Tukino Access Road at the exact same time the leg 3 runner is running 8km up Tukino Access Road. The runners will meet each other somewhere near the mid point on the Tukino road – they might high 5 each other, they might sit down for a nibble to eat, or they might simply nod to each other and continue on focussed on the job that still needs doing ahead. This 16km (8km eahy way) is the added distance to the 2023 Relay distance. The time taken on this 16km 100% matters!

How does the Tukino Connection section work from a race timing point of view?
Each team will see the following breakdown in their timing results
– the time spent on the 73km Ring of Fire course.
– the time spent on the 8km downhill section of Tukino Access Road (completed by leg 2 runner) and
– the time spent on the 8km uphill section of Tukino Access Road (completed by leg 3 runner).
The combined time to run the 89km Relay course will decide who wins the event.

Having the Tukino Connection makes for an improved relay event where the team and supporters can be self-sufficient.
The 2023 location (where the leg 2 runner ends and the leg 3 runner begins) is a location approx 100m off SH1 where, for the relay (due to it’s staggered nature), will be a location that team supporters can drive directly to. There will be toilets, a timing team and full event crew ready to look after you all there at a lower elevation. This removes the buses/shuttle element for teams as the changeover point from leg 1 runner to leg 2 runner (Ohakune Mountain Road) can be driven directly to as well.

Course Cut-Off Times
There are 4 course cut-off points to think about as shown below.

For the 2023 event the relay teams time limit is 18.75 hours.
The 73km solo entrants have 19 hours to complete the course.
While the relay course has 16km extra kilometres to be covered than the 73km solo event, the leg 2 runner and the leg 3 runner are running this 16km section at the same time as each other (i.e it’s really only an extra 8km distance time wise for the Relay event than the 73km solo, and the Relay gets to use 3x fresh individuals for the 3x legs of the Relay)

If you are concerned about the cut-off times, please remember the legs in the Relay are no easy undertaking.

10.30am. Course Cut-Off for LEG 1 RUNNER to have finished AND LEG 2 RUNNER to have left the Ohakune Mountain Road transition area
4.30pm. Course Cut-Off for LEG 2 RUNNER to have passed through Tukino Aid Station (at which point LEG 3 RUNNER commences) and be on the 8km downhill stretch of Tukino Road down to the LEG 3 start area.
6.10pm. Course Cut-off for LEG 3 RUNNER to have completed the 8km uphill stretch of Tukino Road and have passed through Tukino Aid Station and into the Round The Mountain Track.
7.50pm. Course Cut-off for LEG 3 RUNNER to have left Waihohonu Hut.
11.00pm. Course Cut-off for LEG 3 RUNNER to have finished the relay

Aid Stations x2
It’s strongly recommended all teams entrants are 100% self sufficient on course. Leg 2 and Leg 3 runners can absolutely take advantage of the drop bag service at Tukino Aid Station (8km to go for leg 2 runner, and 8km into the course for leg 3 runner). At the Tukino Aid Station althletes will have the ability to fill up water supplies, enjoy a cold cup of R-Line electrolyte or Coke, a hot cup of coffee/tea/tomato soup, and a quick snack on chips/lollies or a Peanut Butter/Jam Sammie – the station will have medical support, food, shelter and drinks available to entrants.

Time Spent In The Dark
In the morning leg 1 runners have a 4.10/4.15am start with sunrise not until 7.11am so leg 1 runners should prepare for close to 3 hours of darkness.

Leg 2 runners should not spend anytime in the dark unless something goes wrong but are still required to be prepared for the darkness.

Depending on the pace of your team, leg 3 runners may spend no time at all in the dark or more than 3 hours. In the evening (if still on course) you have sunset at 7.45pm and a course cut-off of 11.00pm.

A Cupless Event
We are not providing cups at the Aid Stations because we are trying to minimise the waste created from the event. Please bring your own cup or cups. There are some very good silicone cups for sale in NZ.

Drop Bag Service
Anytime during the Friday event registration, leg 2 and leg 3 runners have the opportunity to provide our crew with specific gear/food/drink that they would like available to them at the Tukino Access Road Aid Station. All gear must be in your own bags (ideally super recognisable to you). Make sure your bags are sealed, compact and have your name on them. We will also provide ID stickers relevant to which aid station and ensure they are available to you at each aid station. There is no spectator access to the Tukino Access Road Aid Station, hence the drop bag service. Drop bags will be returned to the finish area (exact location TBC) following the closure of the respective Aid Stations. You will need your event number to pick up your drop bags at the finish area on Saturday. Depending on timelines gear bags can also be collected Sunday morning from us.

Parking and Transport Info
There will be plenty of parking made available around the Chateau Tongariro for your early morning start line adventure. As the event starts and finishes at the Chateau Tongariro there is no bus transport associated with this distance. The changeover locations are accessible by private vehicles for your team supporters.

TUSSOCK TRAVERSE 32KM RUN/WALK

SATURDAY 11TH MARCH 2023

Elevation: 775m up, 700m down

ENTRY FEE TUSSOCK TRAVERSE 32KM RUN OR WALK

Includes a pair of limited edition Steigen Tussock Traverse Socks and finisher medal!
Also includes pre event transport from Iwikau Village to your start line (on Tukino Ski Access Road) and post event transport from your finish line (Chateau Tongariro) back up to Iwikau Village.

SUPER Early Bird
$179.00

14th to 30th June 2022

Early
$199.00

1st July to 31st October 2022

Standard
$209.00

1st November 2022 to 20 February 2023

Late
$219.00

21st February to 10th March 2022

YOUR EVENT DAY SCHEDULE

5.40am – 6.25am: late registration officially open inside the Chateau Tongariro
6.40am: final time to be parked up at Carpark 10
6.50am: buses depart Carpark 10
7.11am: sunrise
7.55am: buses arrive in start area
8.15am: start
10.45am: first finisher expected
12.40pm: course cut-off to have left Waihohonu Hut
5.15pm: course cut-off at finish

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Minimum Age
Entrants must be 16 years on event day unless an exemption (based on previous performances) is granted by the Race Management team. Requests can be emailed to info@ruapehutrailfestival.co.nz

Compulsory Gear Required
A wind/rainproof jacket, thermal top and thermal beanie, emergency bag (not blanket) and fluid must be carried during the race. We recommend carrying a minimum of 3L.

Check out our sponsors, True Fleece Merino for your thermal long sleeve and beanie!

Tracks Used
Start on Tukino Road, then merge with the 73km and 50km entrants at the Round The Mountain Track junction.  Merge with the 21km entrants near the Waihohonu Hut.  With 3km to go follow the Lower Taranaki Falls Track to the finish.

Terrain
On your journey you’ll see true desert landscape features, wind sculptured sands and volcanic rock to Waihohonu stream.  The Waihohonu Hut is the only hut on this section.  Highlights include passing between Mount Ruapehu on your left and Mount Ngauruhoe and Tongariro on your right.  You’ll climb to the Tama Saddle before descending homeward on well formed tracks. The final 10km or so are a gentle downhill past the impressive Taranaki Falls and onto the finish line. Overall, the track surface is excellent and the elevation is quite gentle.

Course Cut-Off Times
32km entrants not reaching the Waihohonu Hut (approximately 16.5km from the startline) prior to 12.40pm (4 hours 25 after race start) will be required to exit the event course at the Hut and walk out to the Desert Road with our course crew. The finish line is closed for 32km entrants at 5.15pm ( 9 hours after the start).

Parking and Transport Info Pre Event
All your bus transport needs are included in your event entry fee.
All bus transport to the start of the event is compulsory.
All bus transport departs from the one location at Carpark 10 (near the top of Bruce Road and the Whakapapa Skifield).  Carpark 10 is about a 7 minute drive up the Bruce Road from the Chateau Tongariro. Carpark 10 will be clearly marked. Traffic management and key event staff will be onsite assisting with your arrival and efficient loading onto the buses.  You can view the Carpark 10 map at pre race registration. Please arrive on time. You can’t get lost – continue to drive up Bruce Road until you reach Carpark 10.  You need to be at Carpark 10 pre 6.40am to enable smooth boarding.

Gear Check In / Collection Info
Any personal gear (that you don’t want to take on course with you) can be dropped into the Gear Bus at the start line.  Any personal gear dropped to the Gear Bus will be available for collection from approx 11.30am at the finish line (exact venue TBC).

Parking and Transport Info Post Event
Post event, a free shuttle will make regular trips from the Chateau Tongariro finish area , 7 minutes up the Bruce road to Carpark 10 for you to collect your vehicle. Shuttle operational from 11.45am – 5.15pm (last trip up).

Ruapehu, Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand