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.
- 101km - 100 Entries
- 83km - 100 Entries
- Relays - 50 Teams
- 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 MAY 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.
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 MAY 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.
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!
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 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.
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.
- Estimated 101km/Relay finishers: 15 - 24 Hours
- Estimated 83km/Relay finishers: 12 - 20 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)
- 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
Categories
There will be 5 categories for entrants to choose from. Please note: Distances are approximate (close to)
101km Relay runners can choose to run either of the following as the transition point is the same. It's up to you to get to the transition point on time for your runner. ALSO NOTE: There is almost 3km vert over the first 61km. A LOT less in the last 40 or so.
101km Relay teams can choose the following:
- 101km Ultra Marathon
- 83km Ultra Marathon
- 61km Ultra Marathon (43km, plus Mt Climie return. Finish Tunnel Gulley)
- 43km Trail Marathon (Tauherenikau Racecourse to Tunnel Gulley)
- 2-person Team Relay: 101km OR 83km distance split between 2 runners. Split point is Tunnel Gulley finish line/transition point.
101km Relay runners can choose to run either of the following as the transition point is the same. It's up to you to get to the transition point on time for your runner. ALSO NOTE: There is almost 3km vert over the first 61km. A LOT less in the last 40 or so.
101km Relay teams can choose the following:
- 1st 43k/2nd 58k
- 1st 61k/2nd 40k
- 1st 43km/2nd 40km
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.
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.
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!
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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
- Bucks Road Campsite (9km mark)
- Kaitoke end of Pylon Track (24km mark)
- Rivendell carpark before Swingbridge loop (30km mark)
- Te Marua car park at end of Ridge Track (39km mark):ONLY Water/Tailwind/Sweets
- 83k/101k/Relay transition point split point just before heading to Tunnel Gully/Goat Rock Track (43km mark). This is also the 43km/61km finish line area
- 101km/61km runners ONLY - Mt Climie at start of track (Around 46km mark)
- Remutaka Incline Summit
- Cross Creek Car Park (Around the 80km mark)
- Birdwood Street Featherston (89km mark) - LAST Aid Station.
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)
Medals and prizes
For 2020 we are looking at having native trees as medals to be more environmentally friendly. Runners will be able to either take these home to plant, or we can plant for you.
Prizes for 2020 will be from our supporters/sponsors along with other possible prizes.
Prizes for 2020 will be from our supporters/sponsors along with other possible prizes.
- 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.
Race Start/Finish Line Areas
- Coffee will be available at the Race start at the racecourse.
- 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.
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 here.
If you have issues booking a site, please let me know.
If you have issues booking a site, please let me know.
Category changes/withdrawals/refunds/cancellations
- Runners can change categories for a 20% admin fee up until October 1st. After this date incurs a 50% fee. No changes after November 6th.
- Runners can transfer to another person for a 20% admin fee up until October 1st. After this date incurs a 50% 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 November 6th. No changes after this date.
- All withdrawals prior to October 1st 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.
