Karāpiro Marathon & Team Relay

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Minimum Age Requirements
42.2km event – Competitors must be 18 years or older
21.1km event – Competitors must be 16 years or older
10.5km event – Competitors must be 12 years or older
5km event – Competitors must be 8 years or older
Relay Team – Competitors must be 12 years or older

Early Bird Fee from 2 September 2026 – 31st October 2026
* 42.2km event: $95.00 per person
* 21.1km event: $80.00 per person
* 10.5km event: $50.00 per person
* 5km event: $35.00 per person
* Team relay event: $150.00 per person

Standard Fee from 1st November 2026 – 3rd April 2027 
* 42.2km event: $105.00 per person
* 21.1km event: $90.00 per person
* 10.5km event: $60.00 per person
* 5km event: $45.00 per person
* Team relay event: $175.00 per person

Late Fee from 4th April 2027 – 9am 14th April 2027
* 42.2km event: $115.00 per person
* 21.1km event: $100.00 per person
* 10.5km event: $70.00 per person
* 5km event: $55.00 per person
* Team relay event: $200.00 per person

On The Day Fee – available at registration venue ONLY 17th April 2027
* 42.2km event: $125.00 per person
* 21.1km event: $110.00 per person
* 10.5km event: $80.00 per person
* 5km event: $65.00 per person
* Team relay event: $225.00 per person

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ENTRY CONFIRMATION
You will receive confirmation of your entry via email after you have completed the online entry process.

PERSONALISED RACE NUMBER
If you would like your name printed on your race bib, please make sure you are entered by 31st March 2027.

Saturday 17th April 2027
7:30am – Registration opens for all race distances (collection of race bib/timing chip). Late entries will also be taken during this time for all race distances. Follow the “Registration” signs to the Rob Waddell Lodge.
7:30am – Karāpiro Dam Road CLOSED to traffic
9:00am – Start Cambridge Real Estate 42.2km marathon run
9:00am – Start Traffic Management NZ 42.2km marathon team relay
11:00am – Start Badges & Medals 21.1km half marathon run/walk
12:00pm – Start Good George 10.5km run/walk
12:45pm – Registration closes prior to the 5km event start
1:00pm – Start The Hits 5km run/walk
2:30pm – Cut off for starting the final lap of the marathon for individuals & relay teams (31.5km mark)
2:45pm – Karāpiro Dam Road RE-OPENS to traffic
3:00pm – Prize-giving for all events

WITHDRAWL AND REFUND POLICY
ALL withdrawals MUST be notified to info@eventpromotions.co.nz by 9:00am, 7 days prior to the event date. These withdrawals will receive their entry fee refund, minus a $15.00 administrative/booking fee per individual or $50 per relay team entry. Any withdrawals notified after this time will not be entitled to a refund.

In the case of a natural disaster, extreme or dangerous weather situation, “Act of God” conditions, or other uncontrollable factors causing the cancellation of the event, entry fees will not be refunded.

Transfer Policy
All person to person transfers can be made between individuals up to 9:00am 14 days prior to the event date. After this date, they must be done at event registration. These transfers MUST be made between the same entry type (event distance).

All transfers to a different entry type (event distance) can be made up to 9:00am 14 days prior to the event date. After this date, they must be done at event registration.

You cannot transfer an entry to another event, or following year under any circumstances.

If you need to make a transfer, please contact info@eventpromotions.co.nz.

• Runner to Walker Transfer (or Vice Versa): You MUST let us know prior to starting the event if you are swapping from runner to walker or walker to runner. Please note that if you plan to run/walk you need to enter as a runner. This can be changed up until event registration
• Event Distance Transfer: If you want to swap to a different race distance, this can be done up until 14 days prior to the event. If you decide to swap on the day, you will need to go to the registration venue of the event you would like to swap TO.

5km course (runners & walkers)
Start and finish line is on the internal road by the Rob Waddell Lodge within the Mighty River Domain.

Run along this internal road to Gate 2, turn right onto the Te Awa Trail concrete pathway staying to the right-hand side until Ariki Road (Karapiro Dam Road). Turn right and cross the Dam staying on the right-hand side. Continue up the hill and go around the Lookout Road. Turn right and head back down the Hill, across the Dam, returning to Maungatautari Road. Turn left back onto the Te Awa Trail. Make a U-turn approximately 750m past the Mighty River Domain at the 5km turn-around sign and head back towards the Mighty River Domain. Turn right into Judd Lane and follow flags along grass edge onto the internal road between the Chalets and the Rob Waddell Lodge and through to the finish line.

10.5km course (runners & walkers complete one lap)
Start and finish line is on the internal road by the Rob Waddell Lodge within the Mighty River Domain.

Run along this internal road to Gate 2, turn right onto the Te Awa Trail concrete pathway staying to the right-hand side until Ariki Road (Karapiro Dam Road). Turn right and cross the Dam staying on the right-hand side. Continue up the hill and go around the Lookout Road. Turn right and head back down the Hill. Cross the Dam, returning to Maungatautari Road. Turn right and continue along the Te Awa Trail concrete path until you reach the turnaround at gateway #381 Maungatautari Rd. Make a U-turn and continue back to the Mighty River Domain on the Te Awa Trail staying to the right-hand side. Just before Gate 3 veer safely off the trail onto Maungatautari Road for around 2.0km. Turn left into the south entrance of the Te Awa Trail and return to the Mighty River Domain Gate 3. Turn right into Judd Lane and follow flags along grass edge onto the internal road between the Chalets and the Rob Waddell Lodge and through to the finish line.

21.1km Half Marathon course (runners & walkers complete two laps of 10.5km course)
Start and finish line is on the internal road by the Rob Waddell Lodge within the Mighty River Domain.

Complete one full lap of the 10.5km course and run past the finish line to begin lap two. Once lap two is completed, run into the finish line.

42.2km Marathon course (runners only complete four laps of 10.5km course)
Start and finish line is on the internal road by the Rob Waddell Lodge within the Mighty River Domain.

Complete three full laps of the 10.5km course running past the finish line to begin each new lap. Once lap four is completed, run into the finish line.
Note: there is a safety cut-off time to start another/last lap after 2.30pm. 

AID STATIONS
Situated around the course as below:

Gate 1 aid station – water & R-Line electrolyte
Dam Lookout Road aid station – water & R-Line electrolyte
Te Awa Trail South aid station – water only
Finish Line – water & R-Line electrolyte

TOILETS ON COURSE
Portaloos will be available at the Gate 1 aid station.

Public toilets are situated at the Dam Lookout aid station and within the Mighty River Domain.

Read the team manager’s handbook here

GRADES/START TIMES
Marathon Relay – Running teams
Start time 9am
The Relay course is the same as the Marathon course but can be completed in a team of four to six persons. Team members can run or walk a maximum of two legs. Competitors can run or walk at any time.

Marathon Relay – Composite teams (mix of runners and walkers)
Start time 9am
The Relay course is the same as the Marathon course but can be completed in a team of four to six persons. Team members can run or walk a maximum of two legs. Competitors can run or walk legs one, four, five and six. Competitors MUST walk legs two and three.

LEG ONE – 10.5km (one full lap of course)
Composite teams – run or walk leg
Start and finish line is on the internal road by the Rob Waddell Lodge within the Mighty River Domain.

Run along this internal road to Gate 2, turn right onto the Te Awa Trail concrete pathway staying to the right-hand side until Ariki Road (Karapiro Dam Road). Turn right and cross the Dam staying on the right-hand side. Continue up the hill and go around the Lookout Road. Turn right and head back down the Hill. Cross the Dam, returning to Maungatautari Road. Turn right and continue along the Te Awa Trail concrete path until you reach the turnaround at gateway #381 Maungatautari Rd. Make a U-turn and continue back to the Mighty River Domain on the Te Awa Trail staying to the right-hand side. Just before Gate 3 veer safely off the trail onto Maungatautari Road for around 2.0km. Turn left into the south entrance of the Te Awa Trail and return to the Mighty River Domain Gate 3. Turn right into Judd Lane and follow flags along grass edge onto the internal road between the Chalets and the Rob Waddell Lodge and through to the Relay transition zone adjacent to the finish gantry to complete your 10.5km leg. Pass the baton to your next team mate to start their leg.

LEG TWO – 6.5km (partial lap of course)
Composite teams – compulsory walk leg
Start at the Relay change-over point adjacent to the finish line. Run along this internal road to Gate 2, turn right onto the Te Awa Trail concrete pathway staying to the right-hand side until Ariki Road (Karapiro Dam Road). Turn right and cross the Dam staying on the right-hand side. Continue up the hill and go around the Lookout Road. Turn right and head back down the Hill. Cross the Dam, returning to Maungatautari Road. Turn right and continue along the Te Awa Trail concrete path until you reach the turnaround at gateway #381 Maungatautari Rd. Make a U-turn and continue back to the Mighty River Domain on the Te Awa Trail staying to the right-hand side to complete the 6.5km leg, 100m past Gate 2 at the Relay transition zone. Pass the baton to your next team mate to start their leg.

LEG THREE – 4.0km (partial lap of course)
Composite teams – compulsory walk leg
Continue on the Te Awa Trail staying to the right-hand side. Just before Gate 3 veer safely off the trail onto Maungatautari Road for around 2.0km. Turn left into the south entrance of the Te Awa Trail and return to the Mighty River Domain Gate 3. Turn right into Judd Lane and follow flags along grass edge onto the internal road between the Chalets and the Rob Waddell Lodge and through to the Relay transition zone adjacent to the finish gantry to complete your 4.0km leg. Pass the baton to your next team mate to start their leg.

LEG FOUR – 6.5km (partial lap of course)
Composite teams – run or walk leg
Start at the Relay change-over point adjacent to the finish line. Run along this internal road to Gate 2, turn right onto the Te Awa Trail concrete pathway staying to the right-hand side until Ariki Road (Karapiro Dam Road). Turn right and cross the Dam staying on the right-hand side. Continue up the hill and go around the Lookout Road. Turn right and head back down the Hill. Cross the Dam, returning to Maungatautari Road. Turn right and continue along the Te Awa Trail concrete path until you reach the turnaround at gateway #381 Maungatautari Rd. Make a U-turn and continue back to the Mighty River Domain on the Te Awa Trail staying to the right-hand side to complete the 6.5km leg, 100m past Gate 2 at the Relay transition zone. Pass the baton to your next team mate to start their leg.

LEG FIVE – 4.0km (partial lap of course)
Composite teams – run or walk leg
Continue on the Te Awa Trail staying to the right-hand side. Just before Gate 3 veer safely off the trail onto Maungatautari Road for around 2.0km. Turn left into the south entrance of the Te Awa Trail and return to the Mighty River Domain Gate 3. Turn right into Judd Lane and follow flags along grass edge onto the internal road between the Chalets and the Rob Waddell Lodge and through to the Relay transition zone adjacent to the finish gantry to complete your 4.0km leg. Pass the baton to your next team mate to start their leg.

LEG SIX – 10.5km (one full lap of course)
The cut-off time to be able to start leg 6 is 2:30pm
Composite teams – run or walk leg
Run along this internal road to Gate 2, turn right onto the Te Awa Trail concrete pathway staying to the right-hand side until Ariki Road (Karapiro Dam Road). Turn right and cross the Dam staying on the right-hand side. Continue up the hill and go around the Lookout Road. Turn right and head back down the Hill. Cross the Dam, returning to Maungatautari Road. Turn right and continue along the Te Awa Trail concrete path until you reach the turnaround at gateway #381 Maungatautari Rd. Make a U-turn and continue back to the Mighty River Domain on the Te Awa Trail staying to the right-hand side. Just before Gate 3 veer safely off the trail onto Maungatautari Road for around 2.0km. Turn left into the south entrance of the Te Awa Trail and return to the Mighty River Domain Gate 3. Turn right into Judd Lane and follow flags along grass edge onto the internal road between the Chalets and the Rob Waddell Lodge and through to the finish line to complete your 10.5km leg and the final leg of the full marathon relay. We encourage all team members to complete the last 100m through the finish line together in celebration of their team effort.

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Team Event Numbers
You will be given six team race numbers. These numbers are to be worn on the front and must be worn at all times.

Timing
A timing transponder will be placed into your teams baton. Please carry with you for the entire leg and pass to your next competitor. Please ensure your baton is returned at the finish line at the completion of your event. Total team times and individual leg times will be taken.

Campsite/Team Area
All teams are welcome to set up on the grass area near the finish line. Bring along your gazebo, chairs, BBQ and chilly bin for a wonderful day!!

Team Uniform
During the Relay, it would be an advantage if all your team wear the same colours. It makes it easier for you to recognise your team member.

Team Members
Competitors may compete for only one team with a minimum age of 12 years.

Change-over Zones
Each change-over is to be made by passing on the baton within the change-over zone. Any change over at any other point will result in disqualification, except in the case of an injury.

Injury During the Event
If injured, a runner/walker may be replaced by the runner/walker who is to compete next. If it is the final leg, the runner/walker of the previous leg may take over. Under no circumstances may an injured competitor re-join the event after they have been replaced.

Finishers Medals
Every competitor that finishes any of the events from the 5km to the Marathon, individuals or relays, will receive a stunning finishers medal.

Prize-giving
Held at 3:00pm from the stage truck near the finish line.

Merit Prizes
Individuals – merit prizes/medals are awarded to the first three individual males and females across the line in the full marathon run; half marathon run and walk; 10.5km run and walk; 5km event run/walk combined.

Relay Teams – merit prizes/medals are awarded to the first three teams in both the run and composite categories.

Spot Prizes 
Be in to win loads of prizes from our sponsors and supporters. Every entrant goes in the draw to win, but you must be present at prize-giving to claim them.

Registration/Athlete Check In
Registration is open for all distances to collect their race bib/timing chip from 7:30am until just prior to the last event (5km) starting at 1:00pm. Follow the “Registration” signs to the Rob Waddell Lodge.

Getting to Karapiro Domain
The hydro dam road will be CLOSED for the event at 7:30am and re-opens at 2:45pm. During this time there will be NO vehicle access for competitor safety. Please plan your journey to the event with this in mind. Give yourself plenty of travel and parking time if you have a later start time as there will be traffic management in place while competitors are on course.

Parking
We will be using the GATE 3 entry into the domain area for carparking. Please follow all signs and directions from the parking marshals to ensure there is space for everybody.

Race Briefing
There will be a race briefing at the start/finish line 10mins prior to your event start time.

Walking Division
We value our walkers and wish to ensure that the experience is a positive one for all entered. To ensure this we rely on entrants’ integrity that walkers WALK the complete event. Please participate in the spirit of the event and abide by walking criteria. Any walking competitor seen running will be automatically classified in the running results and no correspondence will be entered into. If competitors are unsure whether they may run & walk different sections of the course, it is requested that you enter the “Run” division.

Prams/Buggies/Strollers
Prams/Buggies/Strollers are not permitted at this event due to causing congestion on the course.

Headphones
For your safety, we strongly recommend you avoid wearing headphones or audio devices during the event. They can make it difficult to hear important instructions from marshals, be aware of traffic management, or respond to other competitors around you. Staying alert and aware helps keep both you and others safe on the course.

Timing and Photos
All competitors will receive a timing transponder at registration to accurately time the event. This is attached to your race number, which must be pinned to the front of your shirt.

Marathon Photos will be snapping away and photos will be available for purchase post event, these can be viewed at www.marathon-photos.com

Minimum Age
Competitors must be 18 years or older to compete in the marathon event; 16 years or older to compete in the 21km event; 12 years or older to compete in the 10.5km event and the marathon team relay; 8 years or older to compete in the 5km event.

2026 Results – Click HERE

2025 Results – Click HERE

HIDDEN LAKE HOTEL, CAMBRIDGE

Lakeside Comfort. Cambridge Heart.
Hidden Lake Hotel was created to blend luxury accommodation with the charm of a small Waikato town. Family‑owned and proudly eco‑conscious, we believe in thoughtful touches: from solar‑powered energy to locally sourced dining. Our story began with a vision: a personalised hotel where guests feel at home – whether they’re here for business, a family adventure or simply a peaceful weekend away.

Perfectly New Zealand
Behind a stand of mature trees in Cambridge, a forest is reflected in the mirrored waters of Lake Te Koutu – the hidden lake.

This is a pristine destination, unique to New Zealand. The authentic kiwi post card you see in your mind’s eye stretches out before you. All the classic charm and allure travellers come looking for is found here, in the green hills and misty forest, in the pitched rooves and welcome hospitality.

Cambridge is a beautiful heritage town with leafy streets just 2 hours from Auckland and 20 minutes from Hamilton. Lakewood enlivens the area, creating a buzz. An old railway station and WWII bunker provide a touch of history. The area has a long association with thoroughbred horses, rowing, cycling, and equestrian sports and is often referred to as the “Home of Champions”.

Lake Te Koutu is popular for its trails, variety of trees and magnificent gardens. There are several lookouts and water features to discover on the short walks and long hikes into the surrounding country. Or, if you prefer, there’s really no need to leave the hub.

Right outside the door
Newly opened in 2018, Lakewood places boutique shops, restaurants and entertainment right next door to the hotel. A number of local dining venues offer a chargeback facility. Guests can enjoy use of the new Snap Fitness Centre and village WiFi. There’s a playground for families and the hub is a popular meeting spot for locals and visitors to the area. Lakewood and the Hidden Lake Hotel are located in the heart of Cambridge, close to CBD shops, coffee houses and dining.

https://www.hiddenlakehotel.co.nz/

CHECK BACK FOR PROMO INFO SOON FOR 2027

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