EVENT INFORMATION

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2025 date to be confirmed (indicatively late September)

 That Place MTB Park    -   Kaiwhaiki Road, Whanganui

Approx 20km north of Whanganui off SH4, at the end of Kaiwhaiki Road.

It takes around 25 minutes to drive north from Whanganui, or around an hour if you're coming down SH4 from Raetihi.  Google maps will help find your way there... but be aware that there is little to no cellphone coverage over the last 5km. 

Please respect the neighbours and drive no more than 50km/h when passing Kaiwhaiki marae.

That Place is a privately owned haven of tracks. If you want to check out the tracks prior to the event, please contact them directly to arrange it. 

Note: that The Awa courses will also utilise adjacent privately owned land and access to this will only be on the event day. 

Parking:

Parking will be in the paddock adjacent to the start finish area at That Place MTB Park. Please take care and follow any instructions from our parking volunteer when entering and exiting the site. 

Please car share where possible to reduce our event's impact on the environment.

Camping:

Limited camping spots are available onsite at That Place. Contact That Place directly to book a spot https://www.that-place.co.nz/book-a-room

Toilets:

There will be portaloos on site during the event, near the start/finish line and event HQ. There are no toilets out on the course.

Food:

There will be a vendor at the Event HQ (woolshed) selling a selection of hot meat buns, muffins and lemonade. This will help to fundraise for That Place Wellness Trust's programme for getting kids on Mountain Bikes. Please support this great cause! 

Friday, 27 September 2024 15:00-18:00 at Waimarie Riverboat Museum - 1A Taupo Quay, Whanganui (rear entrance on the river side - look for the Awa flags!) 

Saturday, 28 September 2024 7:00 – 8:30 at That Place MTB Park

We strongly encourage registering on the Friday to avoid any last minute crowds on the event morning! 

You will receive your number bib, a timing chip and any merchandise you have purchased (providing it was ordered prior to 1 September). 

Timing chips must be returned at the finish. A $50 fee will be invoiced for failing to return your timing chip.

The Awa offers up course options for everyone. 

Course maps will be released as the exact routes are finalised. 

Long course: 22.6km (1130m elevation gain)

                     course map

                     Start time 9:00am 

                     Course marking: Blue arrows / blue tape

Medium course: 13.9km (650m elevation gain)

                          course map

                          Start time: 9:30am

                          Course marking: Red arrows / red tape

Short course: 7.0km (200m elevation gain)

                      course map

                      Start time: 10:00am

                      Course marking: Yellow arrows / yellow tape

Kids course: Approx. 1.5 - 2km

                    Start time: 12:00pm

There will be a mandatory course briefing on the start line 10mins before each start time.

You can choose to walk or run the course that best suits you. The terrain will be a mixture of gravel roads, 4WD tracks and single trail incorporating lots of regenerating native bush and exotic forest with stunning views of the Whanganui River. 

With the exception of the kids course, expect to stretch your legs on some decent hills. There may also be the odd spot where we choose to link tracks by the shortest route possible... i.e straight up or down a hill! If it's a wet day, expect to get a little muddy.

Part of our trail running ethos is self-sufficiency out on the course. Every participant is responsible for ensuring that they carry sufficient food and water/electrolyte drink for the course length that they are participating in.

Aid Station

There will be one aid station out on the medium and long courses. This have salt (chips) and sugar (jet planes and marshmallows) to perk you up!  There will also be limited water (but you must bring your own cup/bottle to fill).

Medium course: the aid station is at approximately 5.5km (junction where you turn left towards the downhill towards the river).

Long course: you pass the aid station twice - at approximately 5.5km (you turn right at this junction), and again at approximately 14km (not long after the steep climb back up to the ridge from the river).

As aid station supplies are limited do not rely on them. You are still responsible for your individual nutrition and hydration needs.

Please take care of both yourselves and the other runners/walkers on the  course. If someone needs help, please stop and help them. Some volunteers hold first aid qualifications. Some will have radio comms with the Safety Director and Race Director, in case of an emergency.  We  will have medics on the course to provide assistance.

Course marking:

The short, medium and long courses are marked with different coloured tapes and arrows. 

Short - yellow tape and yellow arrows

Medium - red tape and red arrows

Long - blue tape and blue arrows.

Your number bib will have the colour that corresponds with your course (unless you have made a late course change, or are a late entry). It is important to remember your colour and follow the appropriate marking to stay on course. 

If tape is extended across a track, do not cross it. Look for the nearby signage or tape marker which indicates the correct direction.

Withdrawing during the event

If you stop at any point during the event, you must let the nearest course marshal or volunteer know that you have pulled out of the event.  Make sure a volunteer records your race number. If you cannot notify a volunteer or marshal, please call or text the Event Director on 021 549 501. 

First Aid

First aid kits and support will be available at the Event HQ and the aid station (medium (5.5km) and long course (5.5km and 14km)). Hopefully you don't have to use them!

We have rules relating to compulsory gear to help keep you warm and  comfortable if you get injured or become immobile out on course for any reason. 

There are three levels of compulsory gear that may be required to be carried. The Race Director and Safety Director will decide what level applies based on the weather forecast for event day. 

The compulsory gear level will be announced on Wednesday, 25 September 2024 (by email to all participants, and on the event Facebook page).

Note: These are the compulsory minimum requirements. You may choose to carry more clothing based on your own comfort levels for the weather on the day.

Kids Course: There is no compulsory gear, but please ensure that your kids are appropriately dressed for the weather and have a warm, dry set of clothes to change into after their run.

Short Course: There is no compulsory clothing for the Short Course, however we strongly recommend a thermal (wool or polypropylene) long sleeved top if cold and a rain jacket if wet or very cold.

Medium and Long Courses: There are three compulsory gear levels:

Level A. No compulsory gear.

Level B. Waterproof jacket (seam-sealed with hood) and thermal (wool or polypropylene) long sleeved base layer top.

Level C. Waterproof jacket (seam-sealed with hood), thermal (wool or polypropylene) long sleeved base layer top, thermal (wool or polypropylene) long sleeved base layer pants, thermal hat/beanie (Buff accepted) and thermal gloves. 

Remember that these are minimum requirements and you may like to take additional items with you.

Inspection of compulsory items

- If compulsory items are required for the event, the following inspections will be undertaken:

- The compulsory equipment will be inspected at event registration, before athletes can register.

- If the compulsory gear does not meet the required standard, the  athlete will not be able to register until equipment that does meet the standard is provided for inspection.

- The Race Director or delegate, may choose to randomly spot check a  sample of competitor items on the morning of the event at the pre-race briefing or at the race start.

- The Race Director or delegate may choose to randomly spot check a sample of competitor equipment at the race finish line. 

The nominated compulsory items must be carried at all times by competitors. There will be zero tolerance for those who don't comply and  athletes will not be able to continue on the course if they do not have the compulsory item with them when they arrive at an inspection point.  Non-compliance will result in instant removal from the course and exclusion from the results. Any competitor who is found to discard compulsory equipment during the event will also be disqualified.

The event is electronically timed using a shoe tag. You must return your timing chips at the finish. 

A $50 fee will be invoiced for failing to return your timing chip.

We have a zero tolerance to littering out on course. Please respect our hosts and the environment that the event takes you through. Pack out any rubbish and dispose of it in the bins at the event hub.

Any participant who is observed to litter on course will be disqualified and excluded from the results.

All finishers in the short, medium and long distances will receive a finisher's medal. You've earned it!!