Performance Rules

Walking

This is a trail run event and not a walking event. Unless you are an exceptional walker (we have had one) you cannot expect to walk the entire course and still finish before midnight. All runners, will walk the course at times, especially the uphills and might walk more later in the event as fatigue sets in.

Cut-Off's

Cut-off and pace times are shown. These cut-off times will be "extremely generous" meaning you have ample time to walk tough sections, stop at aid stations and still get through under the final cut-off. We have no intention of pulling people off the course for going slow. At the same time, we do not want to have runners out there in the forest playing with the possums and wallabies until all hours of the night. These cut-offs represent an average of just under 18 minutes per mile pace. In other words, just over seven and a half hours for a marathon.

Cut-off times are for individual runners only. We assume relay runners will have a fresh pair of legs at each relay change-over. Only in exceptional circumstances will we pull a relay team. The 5:30PM cutoff at the Tarawera Falls Aid Station does not apply for runners doing the 60km course.

Aid Station	km covered	km from previous	Cut-Off	Relay change-over	Pacer-pickup
Start	0.0	0.0
Tikitapu (Blue Lake)	13.2	13.2
Boyce Park (Okareka)	18.5	5.3	10:20AM	Yes
Millar Road (start of W. Okataina	21.2	2.7
Okataina Lodge	36.0	14.8	1:30PM	Yes
Humphries Bay	46.4	10.4
Tarawera Outlet	54.5	8.1			Yes
Tarawera Falls	59.8	5.3	5:30PM	Yes
Titoki	69.1	8.3	6:00PM for 100k runners only		Yes
Awaroa	(77.0 & 82.3)	(7.9 & 5.3)
Fisherman's Bridge	74.4 (90.7)	5.3 (8.4)
River Road	76.8 (93.1)	2.4
Finish-line	83.4 (100)	6.9

Cut-off times reflect the deadlines for LEAVING the aid station. If you return to an aid station after the cut-off, you will be pulled from the Run. The cut-off times will be strictly enforced by the Cutoff Coordinators or Aid Station Captains. Anyone leaving an aid station after the cut-off time will be disqualified. This rule is for the safety of all participants. IF YOU MISS THE CUT-OFF, YOU MUST STOP. Significant sanctions will apply to anyone breaking this rule.

Make sure you run or walk over the timing mat as you leave the Aid Station

Performance rules

The purpose of these rules is to ensure the Run's integrity as a test of individual performance, providing equal conditions for all. The guiding principles of the Performance Rules are as simple as: play fair, be safe, and respect the land.

Violations of any rules may be grounds for disqualification for one or more years, or other sanctions such as time penalties, fines, and/or disqualification from age group awards.

1. There will be no unofficial runners.
2. Each runner's official race number must be worn prominently on the front of the body and must be easily visible at all times.
3. Runners must follow the marked trail at all times. Any runner departing from the official trail must return to the point of departure on foot before continuing.
4. Each runner must complete the entire course under his own power. No physical or mechanical aids are allowed, including but not limited to ski poles, walking sticks or mountain bikes.
5. Except in case of medical emergency, runners may not accept aid or assistance in any form from anyone between checkpoints.
6. Runners may not store supplies of any kind along the trail.
7. All cut-off times will be strictly enforced. Runners must be checked OUT of the checkpoint BEFORE the cut-off time. Runners returning to the checkpoint after the cut-off time will be pulled from the Run.
8. Littering of any kind is prohibited. Please respect the natural beauty of our trails and the right of everyone to enjoy them.
9. Runners must refrain from any act of bad sportsmanship.
10. Smoking (yukky) is not permitted at any of the checkpoints or along the trail.
11. Any runner who is unable to finish the Run must personally inform the aid station captain of the nearest checkpoint of his decision to withdraw and make sure their ace number is recorded. Runners who leave the course without turning in their race number will be classified as "lost," thereby activating the Whakatane Search and Rescue unit. Time spent searching for any such runner will be billed to the runner.