RACE RULES & INFORMATION

RANDOM GEAR CHECKS will take place on the morning of the race. If your number is called out prior to the race start you will be required to pop over to the Registration area to get your gear checked off. 

If you are not carrying gear you will be disqualified from the race. 

Compulsory Gear is required regardless of the weather forecast due to the length of your event and the remote location of some of the course routes. 

No gear checks will be done on Friday 12th September at Race Registration.

RANDOM GEAR CHECKS will take place on the morning of the race. If your number is called out prior to the race start you will be required to pop over to the Registration area to get your gear checked off. 

If you are not carrying gear you will be disqualified from the race. 

On Friday 12th September the Race Director will decide if the Compulsory Gear can become Recommended Gear. The team will be making a decision based on weather forecasts and track conditions for race day. This will be announced on Friday 12th September via email and social media. Please come prepared for alpine weather - if we do compulsory gear checks and you do not have the correct gear then you will not be able to race. 

You will only receive news if the gear becomes recommended gear on the Friday pre-race. There will be no comms sent out if the Compulsory Gear remains.

Aid Stations will be positioned around the courses at these approximate distances:

• 50km - 3.5km, 11.5km, 20km, 24km (Water, PURE Electrolyte Hydration, and lollies), 28km, 35km, 41km
• 32km - 4km, 8km (Water, PURE Electrolyte Hydration, and lollies), 11km, 18km, 26km
• 21km - 4km (Water, PURE Electrolyte Hydration, and lollies), 12km, 15km
• 16km - 3km, 11.5km
• 12km - 4km (Water, PURE Electrolyte Hydration, and lollies)
• 5km - NO AID STATION
• Kids Dash - NO AID STATION
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All aid stations will have water, PURE Electrolyte Hydration, jet planes, and first aid assistance. Information on what will be served at each Aid Station will be released with the Competitor Guides in the lead up to race day. Most Aid Stations are buffet style with an abundance of food, sweet treats, and fruit available.

GF options are available at all aid stations with care taken for our coeliac competitors.

All race numbers must be displayed on your front - please do not have your number underneath a jacket or attached to your back. 

Race numbers must be visible at all times.

Your race number will have a timing chip attached - do not tamper with this. Race numbers are strictly non-transferable.

Walkers are welcome in the 21KM, 16KM, 12KM, 5KM and Kids Dash events. (Please bear in mind the cut-off times for the half marathon event.) Due to traffic management the course will close at 3:00pm, This is at approximately the 18km mark for the 21km event. 

There is no separate prize pool for walkers. 

Merrell Race Tekapo is running under a Traffic Management Plan. All roads on the course will remain open and competitors must abide by marshal instructions at all times. 

Any competitor who does not follow marshal instructions will be automatically disqualified. 

There will be a designated 'Bag Drop' in the Registration area. When you finish your race, please show your race number to the staff at Bag Drop and you will have your bag/items returned. 

We recommend you don’t leave anything valuable in your bag. All bags are supervised during the day however we cannot guarantee full protection of your belongings.

Prams are allowed in the 5km event only. 

Please ensure your pram is able to cover off-road conditions. Strollers will likely not manage the terrain. 

The use of music devices is discouraged. The use of headphones restricts a competitors ability to hear marshal instructions, traffic, and other competitors. 

Some music devices are designed to sit out of your actual ear - these are permitted. Alternatively, please run or walk with only one ear piece inserted.

If you think you have dropped something out on course or at the Race Village please visit the Athlete Support area during the event. Any lost property items will be stored safely with our crew throughout race day.

POST RACE - please visit the Lake Tekapo Community Hall on Sunday 14th September between 8:30am - 10:30am.

Community Hall: 8 Aorangi Crescent, Lake Tekapo - just up the hill from State Highway 8, opposite the main shopping area.

If you do not realise you have misplaced something until after you get home you can email support@racetekapo.com to enquire. 

Any postage costs will be passed on to the competitor.