KAURI ULTRA - 68 KM

The run is designed as a challenging and varied trail run with a number of distinct stages. It is one of the more difficult runs on the Ultra calendar.

It starts and finishes in Coromandel Town

Stage 1 Harray Track
Stage 2 Flays / Old Colville Road
Stage 3 The White Star
Stage 4 Back of Colville
Stage 5 Waikawau
Stage 6 The Central Divide
Stage 7 The Kaipawa
Stage 8 The Success

The run starts in Coromandel Town and takes runners over the Harray track followed by a steady climb to 300m along the Flays Road.

At the top of Flays runners join the Old Colville Road, which is a rugged technical section that follows the 300m contour line for around 5km. The course then follows forestry and farm tracks through to the White Star station.

A steep climb back to 300m, followed by rugged cross country through to the Northern end of Waikawau Beach and the half way mark.

The run then continues along one of the most spectacular beaches in the world at Waikawau beach before proceeding up onto the central divide. It then takes runners along the rugged spine of the Coromandel Peninsula with 360 degree views of the Pacific Ocean and Hauraki Gulf.

The most difficult and highest point on the course takes runners to the 580m Kaipawa Trig which towers over Coromandel township.

From here it is literally downhill, along the old and historic mining track, the Success, all the way to the finish line in Coromandel Township.

For safety reasons there are two cut-offs on this event

1. Competitors must reach Waikawau (33km) by 12:00

2. Competitors must reach the top of the Kennedy Bay Hill (55km) by 16:00

Important Information

Please find below detailed competitor notes and race maps for each distance. Please click on links below, print off and read carefully. These notes will help you prepare for your event. They also contain important safety messages.

Competitor Notes

ultranotes 68km.pdf

THE COMPETITION

COURSE

The Kauri Ultra run is a 65km run that starts and finishes in Coromandel Township and takes competitors on a spectacular loop to Waikawau Beach and back. The race starts at 5.30am and there will be a briefing at 5.15am.

WATER / FEED STATIONS

These will be located at the following areas:

End of Old Colville Road - 15km
Top of White Star Station - 25km
Waikawau - Northern end of beach entrance - 37km
Top of White Star Station - 46km
Junction near Ariel - 54km
Top of Kennedy Bay Road - 59km

These will have water, electrolytes, jelly beans, bananas and oranges.

CUT OFFS

For safety reasons we will have the following cut offs in place.

Waikawau Beach – Runners will need to have left the Waikawau Aid station by 12.00pm mid-day.

Top of Kennedy Bay Road - Runners will need to have left the Kennedy Bay Road Aid station by 4pm.

COMPULSORY GEAR

The weather in Coromandel in May is generally fine but conditions can get very cold, wet and windy up on the Coromandel ranges at any time of the year. For this reason you must carry or wear a windproof jacket and polyprop or merino top and carry a survival blanket with you. You will also require a fully charged cell phone and will be provided with an ELB. It is a long race and we recommend you carry enough food for the duration of the race. There will be a number of water and electrolyte stops on route with some limited refreshments. The race is supported by a comprehensive safety plan.

NUMBERS

Each competitor will be provided with a race number which must be visible at all times.

SAFETY/SECURITY

The race will be supported by comprehensive safety backup including land based marshals and paramedic support on the course.

CONSIDERATION FOR THE LAND

To enable us to run this event we have sought permission from a number of private landowners, DOC and other interested parties. It is important that we treat the land that we pass through with respect. To this end it is a compulsory requirement that everyone carry out their own rubbish.

68KM ULTRA COURSE MAP

(please note map distance showing 65km should be 68km)

See the large map below