Stuff you need to know
Course Map - Start Clyde. Finish Cromwell.
Race Start Location: Trail Journeys Head Office 16 Springvale Road, Clyde, lots of parking available!
Race Finish Location: Cromwell Heritage Precinct, in front of Penny Blacks Cocktail Bar 71 Melmore Terrace, Cromwell, lots of parking is available nearby!
This map also shows the locations of the aid stations, bus pick up points and toilets and best viewing points for supporters around the course.
What about a Half Marathon or 10k?
Unfortunately this course doesn’t really accommodate a 21.1km or 10k course. To finish at the same finish line both distances would miss most of the iconic sections of the course and there is no wharf across the lake.
But don’t despair! Cromwell has a fantastic and very chill Half Marathon, 10k and Teams relay the following month! 12th October. There is heaps of parking at the Alpha Street reserve. it is an out-and-back course towards Pisa Moorings return on the same great, hard-packed, Lake Dunstan Cycle Trail surface. It’s lovely and scenic - the half marathon has a cool bridge, just no boardwalks around cliffs to run across 😒.
Photo by James Jubb / Tourism Central Otago
Accommodation
Accommodation works equally well from Cromwell or Clyde. It is only a 15 minute drive between the two.
Race start is 8am in Clyde - there will be buses leaving from Cromwell at 7:10am on Sunday. The buses will depart from the finish area (which is close to lots of parking at the Harvest Court Hotel) to take runners to the start. There will be a bag drop trailer - anything you put in there will be relocated back to the finish area.
In the afternoon, leaving from near the finish line there will be buses returning to Clyde. Some will leave before prize giving as they fill up - the rest will leave immediately after prize giving. Prize giving will take place at 3pm.
If you finish after the last bus has left we will ensure you are driven back to Clyde if required.
Photo by Image Central Sports.
What to wear, what to wear?
September is the first month of spring and can be an absolutely beautiful month in Central Otago. However, it could also be frosty in the morning and warm up or there could be a cold southerly blow through midday…
If you are out to enjoy the experience and take your time you may well choose to carry a running vest/small pack with extra warm layers, snacks and water. But the course and aid stations are designed with the intent that if you are running consistently throughout the distance, you are experienced and confident, then you can complete the race without carrying extra gear.
We will keep a close eye on the weather forecast leading into the event and keep you updated. We may well encourage you to start with a buff around your neck, gloves and beanie…
Any clothes you take off during the race you can leave at the nearest aid station and they will all be taken back to the finish line as that aid station gets packed down. They should all be back at the finish line by the end of the prize giving.
Each aid station and medic on course will have a limited number of long sleeve tops in case some competitors are caught-out and feel the cold.
There will be medics at various points as well as roaming medics on e-bikes and on the lake in a boat.
A phone is a great idea to take with you. You can easily enable GPS tracking so your supporters can see how you are getting on. And you have a phone to ring for help should you need help during the race.
Tracking: The race is equipped with GPS tracking updating your position every 1 minute. You must carry your cell phone to enable the GPS tracking.
Geoff Marks
The trail is not closed to other users.
1st September should not be busy but you will need to look out for cyclists, walkers and random runners. Dog walkers also likely outside the gorge (no dogs allowed through the gorge section).
The finish line is in the Cromwell Historic Precinct. You will have vouchers in your race pack that entitle you to a free drink and free food from the finish area vendors.
Entry Fee
$250 until end of June
$290 from the 1st of July
Refund options if you need to withdraw for any reason: Up to 2 weeks before the event - 80% refund. 2 - 1 weeks before the event 50% refund. The week of the event (from Monday 1st September)- no refunds.
Refund statement should the event be cancelled due to situations beyond the control of Terry Davis Events: We will refund as per the Contract and Commercial Law Act (CCLA) “consumers are entitled to a refund, less reasonable expenses.” And the portion you are not refunded can be credited towards a future year or Terry Davis Event.
Photo by Image Central Sports.
Where does the money go?
Over $100 per entry goes directly to local not-for-proffit community groups for trail maintenance and local project support.
Logistically there are extra costs involved with getting aid stations, marshals and medics around the trail which requires multiple boat trips.
Entry fee includes a finishers medal and free food/drink, e.g. pizza and beer at the finish line!