The 50km.

8.30AM SATURDAY 14 DECEMBER 2024 | THE TRAILS OF WHAKATU-NELSON

Why the 50km?

If you're on this page, you're ready to venture into ultra territory!

Conquer this race, and you'll officially be an ultra runner. You’ll officially be able to do anything you put your mind to.

The course.

Embarking from Waahi Taakaro Golf Course, the race commences with a gentle meander beside the Maitai River, before reaching the first climb of the day, a 2.5km climb to Tantragee Saddle.

A brief descent follows before transitioning to the start of the centrepiece of the adventure: Dun Mountain. This majestic peak showcases a distinctive landscape of ultramafic rocks, globally renowned as the prime example of metamorphic peridotites.

The ascent is gradual as athletes traverse New Zealand's inaugural railway towards Coppermine Saddle. Upon reaching Coppermine Saddle, the trail transforms into a single track, guiding runners towards Dun Saddle, where a thrilling boulder scramble awaits to conquer the summit.

Runners then encounter another demanding ascent up Little Twin, rewarded with a gratifying descent towards Dew Lakes, Rush Pools, and the Maitai Dam.

Continuing along the Pipeline Trail towards Tantragee Saddle, participants pass through this natural gateway before ascending to the Grampians ridge-line. The ultimate descent awaits, leading runners to Church Hill.

Once known as Pikimai, a Maori Pa, this site has been transformed into a cathedral. The final descent lies ahead— 85 steps crafted from Tonga Bay granite, New Zealand's only true granite before reaching the finish line.

TOTAL ELEVATION:

Total Ascent: 2308m
Total Descent: 2773m
Max Elevation: 1135m

THe important stuff.

What you get

We’ve partnered with some of our favourite local businesses to bring you some of the best race merch ever. Here’s what you’ll get:

Entry to The Spectacle
Race cap
Finishers medal
Race poster
Spot prize entry
Race pack filled with goodies from some of our favourite local businesses
A chance to watch some of the world’s best milers (the 1609m kind, not the 100 mile kind) race through the streets of Nelson

EntrIES

Key Dates:

June 30th: Early entry fee pricing ends
September 30th: Regular entry fee pricing ends
November 11th: Entries for nationwide Matthews Eyecare collections close
December 12th: Late/online entries close

Spaces are limited though so best to get your entry in now to secure your spot early!

Race Pack Collection

Those who enter before November 11th can collect their race pack from selected Matthews Eyecare stores throughout NZ between 2-6 December. Simply select which store you’d like to collect your race pack from when entering.

Those entering after November 11th can pick up their race pack from Matthews Eyecare Nelson during the designated time slot on Thursday 12 December, Friday 13 December and Saturday 14 December.

Race hub

The race hub is located at Trafalgar Square. This is where you can browse the race stalls, listen to live music, eat great food, and cheer everyone on with your friends and family.

Prizes

Medals: Every finisher will receive a beautiful wooden medal as you cross the finish line, you might even have an Olympian presenting it to you!

Top 3 finishers: The top 3 finishers in each race of each gender will be presented on stage with a prize.

Spot Prizes: We love a good spot prize almost as much as we love a good race pack, so we’ve partnered with some generous local businesses to bring you some epic spot prizes (think travel vouchers, all-inclusive spa days and more). Trust us, you’ll want to stick around after your race for this!

Photos

We have a talented team of photographers out on the course taking epic shots for the gram, or if you’re a little more old school - for the wall. A link to race photos can be found on the Results page after the race.

The Rules.

Competitors must attend or read the compulsory race briefing for your race. Briefings will be posted on the website and sent out by email prior to race day. There will also be a compulsory race day briefing immediately prior to the start that will include current weather and trail conditions.
Competitors are required to carry the gear listed in the mandatory gear lists for their event. This contains the minimum gear recommended to keep our athletes safe during The Spectacle. Mandatory gear will be spot checked. See below for mandatory gear lists.
Race numbers contain a timing chip on the back and must be visible at all times. Please do not alter the numbers.
Competitors are in charge of knowing their race course.
Competitors must keep to the course.
The Race Director reserves the right to withdraw any competitor they feel is in distress and would not be capable of completing the event at any stage.
If competitors do not reach certain check points by the designated cut off times they will be removed from the course and unable to finish the race.
Competitors must adhere to the volunteer’s and marshal’s instructions at all times.

Competitors are allowed to be crewed during all trail races 50km and further.
Competitors must stay on the marked course and keep to the left of the course if being passed by another competitor.
Only registered athletes are able to officially take part in the event.
Competitors should be kind and respectful to other competitors.
Headphones are discouraged as there may be emergency vehicles moving through the course. If headphones are worn, ensure that the volume is set at a level where surrounding sound can be heard.
Please respect any private or public property adjacent to the race course both before and during the event (No sneaky toilet breaks on public or private land). Competitors must not, approach, or interfere with any stock.
Competitors must remove all of their rubbish. If seen littering you will be disqualified. If you carry it in, you must carry it out or discard it at designated areas at aid stations.
Staff and medical vehicles will be moving through the course during the race. Please be respectful of this and move out of the way as quickly as possible. Normal road rules apply throughout, please move to the left and let faster traffic pass on the right. Be courteous to all participants.

The Safety Info.

QUALIFYING STANDARDS

We do not have any mandatory qualification standards. However The Spectacle 50km race is extremely long and challenging and enters mountainous environments.

To enter you must have adequate fitness, mountain running or hiking experience to complete the course in the available time. This can be completion of previous mountain running or experience in tramping, adventure racing, or sub 5 hour marathons with a combination of trail running experience.

CUT OFF TIME

We have purposely designed the schedule to allow those venturing into their first ultra and those who wish to walk the course plenty of time to complete the event so athletes will have a 26 hr cut off time.

AID STATIONS

Aid stations will be available on the course. Exact locations TBC. Only certain aid stations will be able to be reached by vehicle for personal gear drop off.

MANDATORY GEAR

The mandatory gear list contains the minimum gear recommended to keep our athletes safe during The Spectacle and in Nelson’s unpredictable weather systems, especially while summiting various peaks within the Richmond Ranges. If you would normally take additional gear on a run of this duration and over this terrain, please take it.

The course passes through remote sections of trail, where protection from the elements and medical/support services could be some time/distance from athletes needing assistance. It is therefore imperative that the mandatory gear is carried at all times.

Mandatory gear will be spot-checked before the race and those without the required gear will be unable to compete. Please thoroughly read the mandatory gear list for your race.

MANDATORY GEAR LIST:

Mobile phone with race directors mobile number saved to contacts

Map (The course is subject to slight variation. The accurate GPX files will be uploaded and sent to each participant in advance of the race for you to download onto your watch or phone. GPX file here)
Two long sleeve thermal top e.g merino or polypropylene
Full length thermal tights e.g merino or polypropylene (or alternatively a pair of waterproof over-trousers)
Seam-sealed waterproof jacket with hood
Thermal beanie & gloves e.g merino, fleece or polypropylene (a thermal Buff tubular is accepted, if you know how to tie it as a beanie)
A survival bag - a bag not blanket - you must be able to get inside the bag
Whistle
Head torch (and spare batteries if you expect you will need them based on your race and pace)
Backpack or running vest capable of carrying all of the mandatory gear
A minimum carrying capacity of 1L of water - this can be bottles, soft flasks or a hydration pack
First aid kit (minimum; bandage, strapping tape, pain killers, antihistamine)

These must be worn or carried for the duration of the race unless advised otherwise prior to the race.

WEATHER

Competitors will be advised whether all of the mandatory gear listed must be carried on the day. Based on the expected weather and track conditions, you may not need it all, however we encourage you to plan to need to carry it all and practice this in your training.

Our Charities.

10% of the proceeds from The Spectacle will be split amongst our three wonderful charities.

Myeloma
New Zealand

NZ Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/
Chronic Fatigue Society

The Brook Waimarama Sanctuary