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Hotprintz Bay of Islands Run/Walk Festival

SUNDAY 26 MAY 2024

Trek Trail & Fish 50km Ultra Event Information

You asked for it and we're delivering!

Welcome to Sport Northlands first ever Ultra Marathon!

The Trek Trail & Fish ultra marathon in the beautiful Bay of Islands has been created to allow Northlanders to test their endurance limits in their own backyard.

Starting in Opua follow the stunning Opua to Paihia coastal trail through to Paihia. Once in Paihia you'll run through to Waitangi, crossing the Waitangi Treaty Grounds and into the Waitangi Forest, enjoy a dash along 'Holland Days' & 'the Link' mountain bike trail and the many undulating forestry roads the Waitangi forest has to offer. Once your mammoth lap of the forest is completed follow your way back to the finish area via the historic Waitangi treaty grounds and finish up outside the Village Green in the heart of Paihia.

Distance: 51.40 kilometers (Subject to change)

Elevation: 1263m

Terrain: Single Trail, Forestry Road, Footpath. Trail shoes are recommended.


Please note as we continue to confirm details of the Trek Trail & Fish 50km event, all information is subject to change. All information will continue to be updated on this page - please check back regularly.

BIB COLLECTION

Your race number will need to be collected from the locations below:


Pickup location – Sport Northland – 97 Western Hills Drive, Kensington, Whangarei.

  • Pickup - Thursday 23 May 2024- 8:00am – 5.30 pm

Pickup location - Paihia Village Green

  • Pickup - Saturday 25 May 2024 from 3.00pm to 5.00pm
  • Your event number has been supplied with pins; please attach this high on the front of your t-shirt or singlet.

COMPULSORY GEAR

This is required for all participants.

The Bay of Islands is beautiful in May, however due to the unpredictable nature of the weather in Autumn, and with considerations to the course and start time, we have deemed it necessary for participants to carry the following gear:

  • Headlamp
  • Seam sealed jacket
  • Beanie/Buff
  • Thermal/polyprop top
  • Survival blanket

HEADLAMP/TORCH

With the race scheduled to begin at 6:00am and sunrise in the Bay of Islands in late May at approximately 7:20am, We have deemed it necessary for participants to use a headlamp or torch of 300 lumens or better.

COMPULSORY GEAR CHECK

During event week, we'll assess whether its safe to proceed without the essential gear required, please keep an eye on your emails and our facebook page. Should we need to proceed with mandatory gear for your safety, please see the below dates and locations.

Option 1

  • Sport Northland – 97 Western Hills Drive, Kensington, Whangarei.
  • Date - Wednesday 22 May 2024- 10:00am – 2.00 pm

Option 2

  • Sport Northland – 97 Western Hills Drive, Kensington, Whangarei.
  • Date - Thursday 23 May 2024- 8:00am – 5.30 pm

Option 3

Option 4

BUS TO START LINE

  • There will be a bus available to the start line in Opua, leaving opposite the Paihia Village Green at 5.15am.
  • Please purchase your ticket when registering.

RACE DAY SCHEDULE- (START TIMES)

Trek Trail & Fish 50km Ultra Marathon

  • 5:45 am - Compulsory Ultra Marathon Safety brief
  • 6:00 am - Ultra Marathon Starts
  • 12:30 pm - Award ceremony (Weather Permitted)

EVENT START AREA

Trek Trail & Fish Ultra Marathon start area:

Opua Community Hall

Beechey Street, Opua 0200 Link

Parking is available near by in the Opua Marina car park, participants and supporters can walk down to the start line past the Ferry Terminal.


COURSE MAP: BOI Ultra 2024 | HelloDrifter

Please note the course is subject to change. The Opua/Paihia Track is currently undergoing maintenance but is scheduled to be ready for race day.


DRINK STATIONS & TOILETS

Important Note- Athletes will need to bring a vessel to hold and refill liquid.

Cups are only available at the 6km and 8.7km Aid Stations.

  • Aid stations 6.5km, 10km,12km, 19km, 27km, 41km, 45.5km, 48km, Finish Area
  • Portoloos 19km, 27km, 41km,
  • Public toilets Start Area, 6.5km, 12km, 45.5km, Finish Area

AID STATIONS

  • Aid Stations will be stocked with your endurance essentials: Water, Tail Wind, RLine Electrolyte, Chips, Pretzels, Lollies, and other goodies!

DROPBAGS

Bag drop service will be available to participants, this gives you the perfect opportunity to restock yourself with your preferred nutrition and hydration. And the chance to change clothes or shoes.

  • Location - Opua Community Hall
  • Time - Sunday 26 May from 5am. Please use the provided tags and marker pens and attach to your bag.

How it works: Bring your drop bag to the above location, Labels will be available to write your name and bib number. On event day your drop bag will be available to you at Aid Station 5 (27km) Te Wairoa & Kerikeri Inlet Road. If you don't use your drop bag please move from the 'unused' pile to the 'used' pile, this will allow us to move your drop bags back to the finish area efficiently.

Drop bag collection post event: Drop bags will be available for collection in the finish area at the Paihia Village green from time TBC


CUT OFF TIMES

To ensure the safety of our participants, volunteers, and stakeholders. We have implemented cut off times for the ultra-marathon.

  • Aid Station 5 (27km) Te Wairoa & Kerikeri Inlet Road. Will be the first cutoff point.
  • Participants must leave the Aid station before 10:57am.
  • This has been calculated at an average pace of 11min/km.
  • Aid Station 6 (41km) Te Wairoa & Te Puke intersection. Will be the second cutoff point.
  • Participants must leave the Aid station before 1:31pm.
  • This has been calculated at an average pace of 11min/km.
  • Please ensure you are aware of this as it will be strictly enforced. Participants who arrive after the cut-off times will be given the option to opt out and a lift back to the finish area.

SUPPORT/PACE RUNNERS

Support/Pace runners are able to join participants for the final part of journey from the Waitangi Mountain Bike park to the finish line.


TIMING

The event will use an electronic timing system.

  • All participants will need to have their bib visible showing on the front of their torso.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure that you are wearing the event number that has been registered to you.
  • Please do not mix these up with other participants.
  • Gun time will be used for official results.

PHOTOS

Photos4sale provides a robust online platform capable of handling large numbers of images. Images are identified by bib numbers (by the human eye for accuracy and flexibility) and then offered for sale directly to athletes.

  • We believe in the honesty and judgment of our customers and offer images with no fixed price. Photos4sale customers pay what they want!


EVENT DAY PARKING

  • You are welcome to park in one of many surrounding streets around Paihia, and catch the bus to the start line.
  • Limited parking is available at the start line in Opua, we advise that you get dropped off or catch the bus that will be available.


FIRST AID

  • St Johns will be positioned at the finish area Paihia Village Green, and in the Waitangi Forest (Aid Station 4 & 6) Te Wairoa & Te Puke intersection
  • Please inform a marshal if you or someone else requires assistance on the course. A tail marshal will follow the event.


MEDIA PLAYERS/HEADPHONES

For your safety, the use of MEDIA PLAYERS is discouraged. Should you choose to use a music device during the event, please have the volume at a level that ensures you are aware of your surroundings and other participants.

Awards Ceremony

  • Time - 12.30pm
  • Prizes will be awarded to the following categories, Top 3 Male and Female Finishers from the 50km Ultra marathon, the Half Marathon and the 8.7km.
  • There will be plenty of awesome spot prizes to be won from our amazing sponsors and local businesses. Check the Spot Prize Board to see if you have won!
  • In the case of bad weather leading to the cancellation of the awards ceremony, all winners will be notified the week following the event and listed on the event website and Facebook.


PRAM WALK/RUN

For the health & safety of your child and other participants, and the uneven nature of the terrain we are not allowing prams in the ultra marathon.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

  • Children aged 18 and under are not able to participate in the ultra marathon
  • Due to the nature of the terrain Trail shoes are recommended
  • A hydration pack is highly recommended for carrying the required gear, additional fluids & nutrition.
  • No DOGS
  • No SKATEBOARDS OR SCOOTERS OR BIKES
  • Part of the event is held on public roads. Always treat all roads as open and expect oncoming and overtaking traffic.
  • Please obey all traffic laws and regulations.
  • Take extreme care when approaching driveways and side roads – expect vehicles.
  • Where there is a lane coned for participants, you are always required to remain within the cones.
  • Marshals will be wearing high-visibility vests and are there for your safety. Always follow their instructions and those of the event organisers.
  • There will be a lead bike preceding the first participant (for the on-road section of the course) and a tail marshal following the last participant. If assistance is required, please stop and wait for the tail marshal or notify the nearest marshal.
  • No animals (except guide dogs) are permitted to accompany participants during the event.
  • Footpaths and footbridges are to be used where available.

CANCELLATION

In the unlikely event of cancellation, notice will be given on Northland's More FM 91.6 and on our Facebook Page. Where possible, attempts will be made to email participants who have supplied an email address with their entry. While we will endeavour to make a decision to cancel an event as early as possible due to the nature of such events, situations can occur. See our refund structure below.


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