WAI2K Race Info

WAI2K Race Information

Entry Criteria

The WAI2K course is a tough physical and mental challenge. This is why we enter these events anyway, so there is no sugar-coating for you. It's a tough run. I've run the first 43km myself with Stu, and I found it a real challenging course (2200m climbing over this part). There is mixed terrain, so make sure you're comfortable with this. It's no road race in any way. All we ask from you as an entrant is to be fit, and capable of facing the challenge. Please ONLY enter this if you are OK with the following: hill climbs, river crossings, old railway tunnels (83/101km), gorse, scrub, technical downhills, bees (there are some hives to run past, but they keep to themselves really), amazingly stunning scenery, camaraderie and facing challenges in life.

Entrant Capacity for 2020

To ensure safe distancing (both on course, and at registration), and to keep everyone safe on course, numbers of entrants for 2020 will be restricted to the following. Note that we may open to more entrants depending on how the situation changes with covid-19. Contact tracing may also be in place, and this all obviously depends on what the situation is like later in the year. If we are at level 2 come race day, the event will still be running, just with extra measures in place.

101km - 100 Entries
83km - 100 Entries
Relays - 25 Teams per category
61km - 100 Entries
43km - 100 Entries

Getting there/Transport

At this stage you will need to make your own way to the racecourse, either on the Thursday, or (very) early on the Friday. Depending on numbers, we may have a van/shuttle that can pick runners up from Featherston train station to take them to the racecourse on Thursday.
There will be a bus to take runners back to Wellington from Tunnel Gulley (43km/61km finish). Tickets for this service are available when you register online ($20 each). The bus will be departing at 4pm, and 6pm. If you miss one, you can catch the other. Relay runners may find it easier to carpool as first runners will be swapping over at Tunnel Gulley, and can drive to the racecourse to meet their runner after.
If you plan on finishing a lot earlier, or later than these times, you may wish to source your own transport options.
We have a shuttle for 43km/61km runners who wish to travel back to the Tauherenikau racecourse after finishing. Car pooling is the next best thing.
There will be NO bus service back to Wellington from the finish at Tauherenikau racecourse for 83km/101km finishers. The best option would be to stay the night at the racecourse once you finish.
Taxis are not the easiest to find in the Wairarapa, but there is the Featherston Train Station about 5km from the racecourse, which runs into Wellington. You will, however need to organise a ride to the train station after you finish. Please check timetables online prior to race day.

Green Jersey Shuttles: Tunnel Gully back to Racecourse

Green Jersey Shuttles will be at Tunnel Gully to shuttle runners back to Tauherenikau racecourse after their runs. Note that buses will be leaving at 4pm and 6pm only so please book the time which best suits your time (43k - 4pm/61km - 6pm or whichever you feel is suitable). Tickets are just $15 pp and can be booked by clicking on the nice blue button below.
PLEASE NOTE: Bookings are essential for this service.

Race Registration Day/Race Expo Day

Will be held at the Tauherenikau Race Course on Thursday the 19th of November. Registrations will be open from 10am until 6pm. Runners heading over after work or later in the day will be able to collect gear/bibs after this time. Just let us know prior.
Please note that all compulsory race gear will also be checked then, so bring this along! You will pick up your race bibs, timing chips also.
We will have a race welcome at 3pm so please come along to this if you can. There will also be a compulsory race briefing at 6.30pm
Any race day updates will be sent out in race packs either way, and there will be a short briefing race day morning.
There will also be stalls with food and drinks available throughout the day. Hopefully some live music to keep you company!

Race Day

You'll no doubt be awake early. We will have a Food/Coffee van there from Kiwi Kai to help cater to your needs.

Kiwi Kai Catering. Will be there with food and hot drinks so you can coffee fix before take off. They will be set up by 4:30am

The Race starts at 6am on the dot. We will be briefing you all at 5:45. If we are in Level 2 for race day, this may change if we have more than 100 starters. Otherwise - 6am it is.

TIMING: Bengy and the team from Barefoot Sport will be timing the event. Your Bibs will have a chip inserted, so keep these on your front, and visible at all times. We will have timing mats placed at different locations over the course, so please make sure you cross the mats when you see them. This will also help with live tracking you as you go.

Race Start times, and estimated finish times

All events start at the Tauherenikau Racecourse at 6am Friday 20th November 2020. This will also be the finish line for 83km/101km runners. 43km/61km runners will finish at the split point at the entrance to Tunnel Gulley.

Estimated 101km/Relay finishers: 15 - 21 Hours
Estimated 83km/Relay finishers: 10 - 16 Hours
Estimated 61km finishers: 8 - 13 hours
Estimated 43km finishers: 8 - 12 hours

43km Trail Runners will finish at Tunnel Gulley Split Point. 61km Ultra runners will continue on for an out-and-back of Climie before finishing at the same place as the 43km.

Cut-Off times

101km/83km/Relay Runners

Relay teams/83km/101km Runners MUST BE THROUGH the split point at the 43km mark by 4pm (10 hours to get to this point). NOTE: If you get here just prior to 4, you will only have 3 hours to do the Climie return (18km/600m vert). Remember, you've done 43km, and 2200m vert by this point!
Runners must be back through the same split point at the 61km mark by 7pm (13 hours to get to this point).
All runners must be through the Birdwood Street Aid Station (Featherston) by 12am (18 hours to get here - around 13km to finish from this point)

43km/61km Runners

61km runners MUST be finished by 8pm (14 hours)
43km runners MUST be finished by 6pm (12 hours)

Tunnel Gully Transition point and Finish area 43km/61km

Food/Drinks will be available from the finish line thanks to Whicked Foods who will have burgers, chips and drinks along with other goodies.

Downgrading/Upgrading on race day

Due to the nature of the course, you will be allowed to downgrade on the day. This means as long as you hit one of the finish lines, you will still receive a finishers medal. All runners follow the same course with the exception of the diversion up Mt Climie. Seeing as all runners will be going through the finish line/transition point at Tunnel Gulley, runners will be able to downgrade, OR finish here if they feel they are not capable of completing the longer distances. There will be NO upgrading on race day sorry. There will also be NO refunds (on your original fee) if you choose to downgrade on race day. If you choose to downgrade on race day, you MUST alert a marshal to this so we can mark down the change.
101km runners please note that once you head up Climie from main transition point, you will ONLY be able to downgrade to the 61km, NOT the 83km. If you wish to downgrade to 83km, you miss out on the Mt Climie leg, and must make the decision at main transition point.

Course Marking

The course will only be lightly marked, but will be marked enough (main turning points/areas that are a bit more dubious). Don't expect pink ribbons the entire way along the course! The majority of the course is over DOC trails (orange markers), and other Park trails, so the course is relatively easy to follow. Watch the compulsory course videos for an overview. Plus you will all have the map, topo maps on your device, and the GPX available to upload to your device.

Pacers

Pacers can join you from Cross Creek Aid Station ONLY.

Pacers run for FREE and are ONLY able to pace either 83km or 101km runners. Please register below.

Pacers please note that you will be running roughly a half-marathon or so with your runner.
The ONLY items of compulsory gear required is a Hi Viz reflective Vest, and headlights as you will be running the road section for the most part.
You MUST NOT assist your runner in any way, apart from cheering them on with cheerful banter for the last leg of their journey.
Pacers seen carrying gear/assisting in any way apart from this will get their runner disqualified.

I fully endorse pacers for this last stretch of the race. The last 21km or so will be mentally and physically challenging so if you have a pacer keen on running this leg with you, please take them up on it! There is also the road aspect, so having a pacer adds an element of safety also.

Pacers Register here

Compulsory Gear

Even though this is a Summer run, you will still need compulsory gear as weather can still be changeable.
PLEASE NOTE: This list may be minimised if the weather is looking perfect. Please bring it all with you just in case!

Seam-sealed Windproof/waterproof Jacket.
Thermal long sleeved top
Gloves (Polyprop etc)
THIR and/or warm hat
Water (Up to 2L capacity)
Food/Nutrition (There will be aid stations but please do not rely on this as a main source of nutrition)
Compass (on GPS device is fine)
Topo Maps on your Mobile Device, plus a printed copy of the course
Whistle
Emergency bag/blanket
First Aid Kit including strapping tape and/or bandage (for sprains etc)
Head Torch (Morning/Night running/Tunnels) plus spare battery
THIR or similar Head/neck warming device
Hi-Viz reflective vest (for road areas - mainly Western Lakes Road bike trail, and Featherston at night). ONLY for 83km/101km runners.
Fully charged mobile device with emergency contacts including race officials.

Recommended Items:

Calf/Arm Sleeves mainly for the first trail section along Frith trail as there is gorse and other spiky elements.
A PLB (Personal Locator Beacon)
Tramping poles (Not for everyone I know, but if you wish to use them - feel free). If you wish to use them for part of the event, you will need a supporter to take them to the particular section (Mt Climie for example). I took some for the first 43km and found them handy, especially Norbert Creek Loop (around 26km mark). You'll understand when you get there.
GPX of the course uploaded to your device.
Gaiters for the river section.
Waterproof sealed bag for your devices (River section)

Items NOT ALLOWED on course:

Headphones/portable speakers are NOT ALLOWED on any road sections of the WAI2K course for obvious safety reasons, and they are also heavily discouraged along ANY part of the WAI2K course. Enjoy the space and the sounds of nature instead.

Drop Bags

You will be provided with your own race bag at race rego day. This will be coloured for your chosen category.

43km/61km runners drop bags will be taken to the Tunnel Gully finish line area for them.
83km/101km runners - if you want a drop bag taken to the Tunnel Gully finish line (in case you downgrade for example, or have a change of gear you want here), we can do this for you, and also bring gear back from this point to the race course. This is also a good point to discard your poles after MT Climie.
Please double check that the number on your bag correlates with your bib number.
We will take a dry pair of shoes (if you have them) to Bucks Aid Station for you.

Cell Coverage on course

Cellphone coverage on course is actually remarkably good. You'll have coverage for the majority of the course with the exception of the area around Rivendell (around 28-30km in), as it's in a bit of a gully. To the best of my knowledge the rest of the course you should have cell coverage with a few minor areas along the Remutaka railway trail. It's also a bit patchy towards Cross Creek.

Aid Stations

Aid Stations will be at the following locations. Please DO NOT use these as your main/sole source of nutrition. They are merely there to help you along the way. Please pack your own nutrition also, especially those with dietary requirements as these will not be catered for at Aid Stations. We will provide Bananas/Oranges/Chips/Sweets/Tailwind/Water/Sandwiches/Coke/Sunblock/First Aid. This event will also be CUPLESS (as in BYO cup/drinking vessel). PLEASE NOTE: From Bucks road Aid Station there is approximately 15km until the next Aid Station. Make sure you have enough water/nutrition for this leg.

PLEASE NOTE: Ultraspire C2 cups will be available to purchase at race registration day for $15 each.

Toilet Facilities on Course

There are Public Toilets at the following locations:

The Start at the Tauherenikau Race Course
One Toilet at Bucks Road Campsite
Rivendell Car Park Aid Station area
Mt Climie start of Climie Trail in Tunnel Gully
Remutaka Summit area
Cross Creek
Cross Creek Car Park
Birdwood street (Last Aid Station area)

We will look at getting port-a-loos for the main transition/finish line area at Tunnel Gully also.

Medals and prizes

For 2020 ALL finishers will receive a one-off hand crafted WAI2K necklace from Brendon Jaine Jeweler. These 'medals' are made from recycled glass, and are all made in NZ.

Prizes for 2020 will be from our supporters/sponsors along with other possible prizes, plus an original painting by the Race Director also goes into the prize pool (See below).

Prize giving at this stage will be at the racecourse on Saturday morning for 83km/101km runners.
43km/61k m runners prize giving will be on race day at Tunnel Gully finish area.
Please also note that there will be a FREE yoga class on Saturday morning just prior to prize giving.

The class will be run by Kate William from WILDFLOWER YOGA

Race Start/Finish Line Areas

Coffee/Quick Breakfast options will be available at the Race start at the racecourse from 4.30am from the team at Koffee and Kai
Food will be available at Tunnel Gully Finish area. Food Vendor yet TBC.
Massage will be available at both finish line areas. OMT will be taking care of your needs here.

Race day Photos

The team from Photos4Sale will be on course throughout the day taking photos of you all. They have a service of PWYW (Pay what you want) for all photos from race day.

Accommodation

There are numerous places to stay in the South Wairarapa including AirBnB, motels, hotels and other options. The Tauherenikau racecourse is the ideal location as the WAI2K starts/finishes at this location. Please book online with Matthew at wairarapa.racing@xtra.co.nz

Category changes/withdrawals/refunds/cancellations

Runners can change categories for a 20% admin fee up until October 1st, after this date it incurs a 50% admin fee. No changes after November 6th.
Runners can transfer to another person for a 20% admin fee up until October 1st, after this date it incurs a 50% admin fee. No transfers after November 6th, or if there is a wait list.
Relay teams can change runners for a 20% admin fee up until October 1st, after this date it incurs a 50% admin fee. No changes after November 6th.
All withdrawals prior to October 16th incur a 20% admin fee, after this date it incurs a 50% admin fee. No refunds after November 6th.
There will be no refunds given if we have to cancel the event for any unforeseen circumstances or circumstances outside of our control, although WAI2K runners will be able to join the WAINOT event on the Sunday. We MAY transfer the event to 2021 if Covid forces cancellation of the 2020 event.

WAI2K Strava Club - Feel free to join and check who's training

Merchandise

WAI run fest T Shirt $34.50

WAI2K THIR $23