RACE TEKAPO | 32KM

Take on the longest event of the day, the Raidlight 32km. This course starts and finishes on the edge of Lake Tekapo, allowing fantastic vantage points for your supporters and giving you a close-up of the stunning lake. When you start you will do a short loop towards the Regional Park, where you get to go over the arched pedestrian bridge. You will run right beside the world-famous Church of the Good Shepherd, not once but twice! Once you have enjoyed the iconic Tekapo sights on fresh legs, you will come back through the Race Village before heading towards Mt John. You will head up Mt John on picturesque single tracks amongst the trees. Mt John is part of Balmoral Station, owned by the Simpson family, and as you continue on the course you will find it is a working farm - one with an incredible view! Once you reach the summit you will pass the Mt John Observatory. At this point you will be breathless from not only the ascent, but the 360 degree views across the southern alps, Lake Tekapo, and Lake Alexandrina. The Raidlight 32km course continues to impress as you descend Mt John via the Mt John access road. You will then take Godley Peaks Road around the west side of Lake Tekapo, before turning alongside Lake McGregor. You will run past Lake McGregor to the outlet of Lake Alexandrina. At this stage you are halfway and will enjoy a "Raid Station" while watching the wildlife and listening to the water as it heads out of the lake downstream. As you make your way around this scenic lake you get to enjoy the serenity of the area. This section of the course is still part of Balmoral Station, and you get to appreciate the sheer scale of this iconic high country station. As you pass the Lake Alexandrina huts on the south side of the lake, you will then head back towards Mt John. You will cross back over Godley Peaks Road and head back up Mt John using the access road. At this point you are on the way home. As you descend Mt John you run along the side of Lake Tekapo, taking you back through the race village to the cheers of supporters and allowing some nice flat, fast running. 

With incredible views at every turn - including three lakes! - a mixture of flat trails, short sections on sealed road, as well as some hill work, this course offers great variety and a great challenge.