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  • Race Options
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    • 32KM
    • 21KM
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    • 5KM
    • 3KM - Kids Dash
  • Entry Info
    • Entry Fees
    • Enter NOW
  • Athlete Info
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    • Post-Race Info
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RACE TEKAPO | 50KM

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RACE DETAILS

THE CAIRNS | BALMORAL STATION 50K ULTRA

Date: Saturday 16 September 2022

Distance: The Cairns Balmoral Station 50K Run

Start Time: 6:00am 

Start/Finish Line: Tekapo Lake Front

Race Briefing: 5:40am Saturday 16th September

Minimum Age: 18yr

Cut Off Times: 2:00pm at 41km mark. 

Result Categories:

1st, 2nd, 3rd Women, Men Overall, 

1st Female, 1st Male 18-39, 40-59, 60+

Additional Info: 

Due to Traffic Management restrictions we have a cut off at the 41km mark at 2:00pm. This is 8 hours after the start time.  

Join Us At The Finish Line!

Make sure you stick around after you finish your race to enjoy music, food vendors, and a great atmosphere! 

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Course Map

Elevation Profile

Course Summary

50KM Course Description

Take on the longest event of the day, The Cairns Balmoral Station 50KM Ultra Marathon. This course starts and finishes on the edge of Lake Tekapo, and is designed as a figure-of-eight. The figure-of-eight course allows your supporters the opportunity to see you as you start, at almost the half way point, and also as you finish. What a great spot for your friends and family to enjoy spectating right on the shores of the stunning Lake Tekapo! 

When you start you head 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, and run through the forest on your way to Sawdon Station. Competitors in the Ultra Marathon get to run on the Lagoon Loop, a scenic trail that takes you over the true Mackenzie landscape on the iconic Sawdon Station. Once you have completed this section you then run through the Regional Park. This is a well-kept secret in Tekapo - trails that run under towering trees, where you get snippets of the lake and out towards the mountains. You will then join the side of Lake Tekapo and come back through the Race Village before heading towards Mt John. You will head up Mt John behind Tekapo Springs. Mt John is part of Balmoral Station, and as you continue on the course you will get to rejoin this station further along. 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 50km 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. You then join Balmoral Station again as you make your way around this scenic lake, getting 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 well on the way home. As you descend Mt John you run along the side of Lake Tekapo, taking you back to the Race Village.

With incredible views at every turn, private access to two iconic high country stations, 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. 

Join us at Race Tekapo in 2023!

50km race - Enter Now

Ultra Marathon Bag Drop

The following relates to those doing the Ultra Marathon only.


Distances are available for bag drop:

  • 16.5km
  • 28km
  • 41km

(Please note that the 28km and 41km Bag Drop locations are the same. Please consider this when packing your bag.) 


All bags need to be at Race Registration on Friday before 8:30pm. 


Staff will give you a label to attach to each Drop Bag. Labels will indicate which Aid Station location you would like your bag to be placed. We cannot move bags between Aid Stations. 

At each Aid Station we require you to place your bag in the 'used' pile. We will be collecting and returning bags twice during the duration of the event. By placing your bag in the 'used' pile as you leave the Aid Station allows your bag to be returned to the Race Village earlier. Once you have finished at the Aid Station please move your bag to the 'used' pile if you have used it or not. 

  • No glass
  • Bags to be of reasonable size please
  • Ensure all liquids and perishables are securely packed (we don't want leaking liquids or squashed bananas!)

Ultra Marathon Compulsory Gear

Gear Checks will occur either during Race Registration on Friday 15th, OR  on the morning of the race. 


There will also be spot gear checks throughout the race.

YOU WILL BE DISQUALIFIED IF YOU ARE ASSESSED TO NOT BE CARRYING THE REQUIRED GEAR.


The gear list below is compulsory. If you wish to carry extra items that you would usually take when running then please do so. While the Aid Stations will supply you with nutrition at various points along the course, it is recommended you carry with you any extra items you might require during the 50km - including any specific nutrition or fluid the Aid Stations may not provide. 

 You MUST carry the following with you in your pack:


  • Long sleeved thermal/merino. 
  • Seam sealed jacket
  • Woollen or thermal hat
  • Emergency/survival bag
  • Whistle
  • Any medication you require, including painkillers
  • Head lamp 
  • Water – capacity for a minimum of 1 litre of fluid


Recommended but NOT compulsory – Check the weather forecast!


  • Water proof pants 
  • Gloves
  • Thirband
  • Anti chafe cream
  • Cramp Stop
  • Thermal tights


The race begins in the dark so you will need a fully charged headlamp for the first part of the race. 


The Compulsory Gear is not negotiable. There will be no exceptions made regarding specific items on the list. If you have any questions surrounding your compulsory gear (not discussions surrounding the necessities of carrying it), please email shenna@scenicsports.net .

 

GEAR CHECK TIMETABLE

Aid Stations

Aid Stations are at the following distances in the 50km event:

 

  • 3.5km
  • 11.5km 
  • 16km 
  • 20km 
  • 25km 
  • 28km
  • 35km 
  • 41km


All aid stations will have water, Tailwind electrolyte fluid, jet planes, and first aid assistance.

Copyright © 2021 Race Tekapo - An Iconic Destination Race - All Rights Reserved. 

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