WAI2K Race Info

WAI2K Race Information
December 2021

COVID 19 and the WAI run fest

The WAI running festival will ONLY go ahead in Level 1. The risks of putting the event on and the logistics around the event in Level 2 is just too complex. During Level 1 (which protocols we ALL know so well) you will be required to:

Scan in at each main location (rego day mainly)
Socially distance where you can
Sanitise where you can (will be in place at all Aid Stations)
Just be Covid safe where applicable

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 (80/100km), 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 2021

100 per category (at this stage). We may open more if there is a demand for spaces.

Getting there/Transport

At this stage you will need to make your own way to the racecourse, either on the Friday, or (very) early on the Saturday. 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 Friday afternoon when the train gets in (YET TBC).

My personal advice for the weekend would be to book accommodation at the race course, drive or find a ride to the race course Friday, and stay the Friday and Saturday nights at the race course. The race starts right here, you finish at Tunnel Gully, and either get the shuttle back, or hitch a ride with someone. Get up Sunday, and cruise on home. Too easy.

We MAY organise a shuttle back to Wellington depending on demand. 2020 we cancelled this due to a lack thereof.

We will have a shuttle ($15pp available to book closer to race weekend) for 46km/60km runners who wish to travel back to the Tauherenikau racecourse after finishing. Car pooling is the next best thing.
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. Please check timetables online prior to race day.
80km/100km runners may be wise to have your own support crew/car to pick you up after the event because for most of you it will be a late one!

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 5pm and 7pm only so please book the time which best suits your time (46k - 6pm/60km - 8pm 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 and will be open closer to race weekend to book.

Race Registration Day/Race Expo Day

ADVANCED CATEGORIES:
Will be held at the Tauherenikau Race Course (Drive straight along the road until you get to the cabins) on Friday the 10th December. Registrations will be open from 4pm until 7pm.
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 briefing at 6pm so please come along to this if you can.
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 afternoon/evening. Hopefully some live music to keep you company!
EASIER CATEGORIES:
You DO NOT need to attend the Rego day at the Tauherenikau Race course. Registration Day and Race pack pick up will be the Sunday prior to race day (Sunday 5th) in Wellington (Venue YET TBC).

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.

TIMING: Bengy and the team from Barefoot Sport/ONETIME NZ 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 ADVANCED events start at the Tauherenikau Racecourse at 6am Saturday the 11th of December.
The EASIER categories all start/finish at Tunnel Gully Upper Picnic area
ALL CATEGORIES will finish at the Upper picnic area in Tunnel Gully

LONGER Distance Estimates:

Estimated 100km finishers: 16 - 24 Hours
Estimated 80km finishers: 12 - 18 Hours
Estimated 60km finishers: 8 - 13 hours
Estimated 46km finishers: 8 - 12 hours

46km Trail Runners will finish at Upper Picnic area. 60km Ultra runners will continue on for an out-and-back of Climie before finishing at the same place as the 46km. 80km and 100km runners head out for an out-and-back along the Remutaka Incline trail prior to finishing at the same area (100km does Climie to finish and 80km does not)

Cut-Off times (May be updated)

100km/80km

80km/100km Runners MUST BE THROUGH the split point at the 43km Aid Station (Station Drive) by 4pm (10 hours to get to this point).
100km/80km runners MUST BE THROUGH the Cross Creek Aid Station by 8pm (around 65km mark). A vehicle will be here to collect you if you DO NOT meet this cut.
80k runners MUST be finished by 1am
100k runners MUST be through the Upper Picnic point before Climie (12km to go) BY 1am.

IF you don't hit the 10 hour cut, you will simply head towards Upper Picnic area for either a 46km finish OR a 60km finish. Ain't no shame in it.

46km/60km Runners

46/60km runners MUST be finished by 10pm (16 hours). This includes walkers so this time is very doable.

Tunnel Gully Transition point and Finish area 46km/60km

Food/Drinks will be available from the finish line. Vendors Yet TBC for 2021

Downgrading/Upgrading on race day

ONLY FOR ADVANCED CATEGORIES:
Due to the nature of the course, you will be allowed to downgrade ONLY (NO Upgrades) on the day in the following way:

60km - You just finish prior to heading for the out and back of Mt Climie for a 46km finish
80km/100km - Turn off at the 43km mark (towards Climie) and head to finish for a 46km OR 60km finish
100km - DO NOT continue past Back road loop (down to Cross Creek), and follow the 80km markers back to Climie for an 80km finish

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 (ONLY for 100km runners)

Pacers can join you from Cross Creek Aid Station ONLY. Must make your own way to this point.

Pacers run for FREE and are ONLY able to pace 100km 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 Vest, and headlights. Please make sure you have gear for the conditions.
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!

Pacers Register here

Compulsory Gear (Advanced Courses ONLY).
NO comp gear required for 'E' courses at this stage

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 (s) (Especially for 80km/100km)
THIR or similar Head/neck warming device
Fully charged mobile device with emergency contacts including race officials.

Recommended Items Advanced courses ONLY:

Phone charging device/power bank (Longer courses)
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)

Drop Bags (Advanced Courses ONLY)

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

46km/60km runners drop bags will be taken to the Tunnel Gully finish line area for them.
80km/100km 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 Station Locations

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
Upper Picnic area at the start of Climie Trail (Main finish line area)
Remutaka Summit area
Cross Creek

Medals and prizes

For 2021 ALL ADVANCED course 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.

EASIER courses will receive something for completing their run

Prizes for 2021 will be from our supporters/sponsors along with other possible prizes.

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
Massage will be available at the main finish line area. OMT will be taking care of your needs here.
Food carts will be on hand during race day at the main finish line area

Race day Photos

At this stage will be various Volunteers on hand taking snaps which will then be uploaded after the event.

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 Advanced WAI2K courses all start at this location.

Please book online with Matthew at wairarapa.racing@xtra.co.nz

The Ranch House at Tauherenikau Race Course (PLEASE BOOK IN ADVANCE VIA THE ABOVE EMAIL)

Prices are $40 per night per person.
8 double rooms $80 for one or two people. Total 16 people
9 twin share $40 per person $80 per room total 18 people.
4 singles $40 per person 4 people
1 family room One double two singles $120 total 4 people

Camping spots and Motorhome spots are also available so please check availability with Matt at the race course

Category changes/withdrawals/refunds/cancellations

Runners can change categories for a 20% admin fee up until September 1st, after this date it incurs a 50% admin fee. No changes after November 30th.
Runners can transfer to another person for a 20% admin fee up until September 1st, after this date it incurs a 50% admin fee. No transfers after November 30th, or if there is a wait list.
All withdrawals prior to September 1st incur a 20% admin fee, after this date it incurs a 50% admin fee. No refunds after November 30th.
There will be no refunds given if we have to cancel the event for any unforeseen circumstances or circumstances outside of our control