The 26th Taupo Great Lake Relay will be held on the 13th February 2021!
Grab your friends, family or work colleagues together and join this amazing running or walking event around or along the length of Lake Taupo.
Don’t miss being part of this awesome run/walk relay around the stunning Lake Taupo with 3500 other competitors! Renown as being the best team building exercise of all time, the ultimate Team Relay has been described by participants as the most social and scenic event in New Zealand.
The Traffic Management NZ Great Lake Relay covers the 155km around Lake Taupo. Each team consists of 9 to 18 members, either running or walking the entire distance around Lake Taupo.
The Smiths Sports Shoes/Asics Length of the Lake Relay caters for teams of 4 to 8 who can run or walk to complete the eight legs, 67km from Pukawa on the southern end of the lake back to Taupo.
If you’re really up for a challenge, take on one of the ultra-marathon options. Run or walk the 67km Ledlenser Length of the Lake or the 155km Ledlenser Great Lake Event as a solo competitor!
Saturday 13th February 2021
Course Information
Great Lake Relay Map
The start line for the Great Lake Relay and Solo events is on the Tongariro North Domain (in the same place as the finish line!). The finish line and prize giving for all events will be held on the Tongariro North Domain. See the Team Managers Book for a full course description.
Length of the Lake Map
The start line for the Length of the Lake Relay and Solo events is at Pukawa Reserve, on the southern end of the Lake. The finish line and prize giving for all events will be held on the Tongariro North Domain. See the Team Managers Book for a full course description.
Event Information
Early bird entries – until 2nd February
Great Lake Relay and Length of the Lake Relay: $45 per person
Great Lake Solo option: $75 per person
Length of the Lake Solo option: $75 per person
Late entries – from 3rd February
Great Lake Relay and Length of the Lake Relay: $45 per person + a $50 late fee per team
Great Lake Solo option: $85 per person
Length of the Lake Solo option: $85 per person
Refund Policy
No refunds will be given within 7 days of the event, no exceptions. Any refunds prior to this time will incur a $50 administration/booking fee per team and a $15 administration/booking fee per solo. In the case of a natural disaster or if the event is cancelled due to safety reasons, no refunds will be made.
Please contact jenna@eventpromotions.co.nz or 07 3483301 if you need to withdraw from the event.
Transfers/Changes
Transferring to a different grade can be done 14 days prior to the event date – after this they must be done at the event day registration.
Please contact 07 3483301 or jenna@eventpromotions.co.nz prior to this date. After this date, any changes will need to be made at registration on the day.
Covid-19 Event Policy
If this event is cancelled due to government restrictions relating to the covid-19 pandemic the below options will be available for you
- Transfer your entry for this event to the following year
- Receive a 50% refund of your entry fee
If the event is postponed your entry will be automatically moved to the new event date provided by Event Promotions.
All competitors who are entered into the event will be contacted via email if there are any changes to the event.
Click here to Enter Online. (credit or visa debt only).
Click here to download an Entry Form.
– Post it in to PO Box 324, Rotorua with a cheque made up to ‘Great Lake Relay’ or
– Post it in to PO Box 324, Rotorua with proof of bank deposit payment. Please pay bank deposit into ASB Taupo 12-3162-0075818-61 using your name as reference.
Email it to info@eventpromotions.co.nz with proof of bank deposit payment. Please pay bank deposit into ASB Taupo 12-3162-0075818-61 using your name as reference.
Email Confirmation
You will receive confirmation of your entry and team number via email when you enter. Please print this out and bring along to registration. You can also check your entry by clicking here and looking at our confirmed entrant list.
The team manager’s book includes event rules, leg descriptions, course map and registration details. This will come in handy when driving around the course.
Download team manager’s book here.
Friday 12th February
5pm – 9pm: Registration at the Great Lake Centre
7pm: Start for Great Lake 155km Solo – (Those expecting to take over 14 Hours)
11pm: Start for Great Lake Relay – Composite Teams and Great Lake 155km Solo – (Those expecting to take under 14 Hours)
Saturday 13th February
2am: Start for Great Lake Relay Running Teams
7am: Start for Length of the Lake Solos, Composite and Walking Teams
9am: Start for Length of the Lake Running Teams
6pm: Prize-giving for all grades on the Tongariro North Domain
Registration/Race Bag Collection
Event packs must be collected from the Great Lake Centre, Tongariro Street, Taupo on Friday the 12th February between 5.00pm and 9.00pm.
Team Managers Meeting
There will be no team managers meeting at registration this year. There will be a large screen with a power point rotating with the managers meeting with all important information for the event, we encourage all team managers and team members to watch this video.
Flashing Lights
Are to be provided by each team. For added safety each team MUST have at least one flashing light clipped on the back of their shorts and be worn at all times during the hours of darkness by the competitors.
Reflective Clothing
During the hours of darkness and in any high vehicle volume legs all competitors must wear reflective clothing and run/walk on the left hand side of the road. See manager’s book for further suggestions. For added safety each team MUST provide their competitors with at least one flashing light. These lights clip onto the back of your shorts and must be worn by all competitors during darkness.
Catch up Legs – Great Lake Relay
Teams are able to do catch-up legs at the start of legs 5, 11 and 17 if you are more than half and hour behind the last estimated time at leg 4, 10 or 16. You should only use a catch-up leg as a last resort to ensure your team finishes by 6.00pm. Full details on catch-up legs are available in your Team Managers Information Book.
Catch up Leg – Length of the Lake Relay
Teams are able to do a catch-up leg at the start of legs 7 if you are more than half and hour behind the last estimated time of leg 6. You should only use a catch-up leg as a last resort to ensure your team finishes by 6.00pm. Full details on catch-up legs are available in your Team Managers Information Book.
Cut Off Time
All competitors must complete the course by 6.00pm. Competitors may be removed from the event by the race referee, Event Directors or Medical staff for medical reasons at any stage during the event. Total times will be recorded by the organisers.
Limited Numbers
For safety reasons the event is limited to the first 500 teams registered. Entries will be accepted on a first in – first served basis. Minimum age is 13 years old.
Getting Around the Course – Great Lake Relay
It is the responsibility of each team to get themselves to each transition and around the course. There are many different ways to do this, however if this is your first time we would recommend one of the following options.
We would suggest that you divide your team into 3 or 4 groups, depending on the size of your team e.g. Group 1 is doing the first 5 legs, Group 2 will do the next 5 legs etc. It is not advisable to have your entire team on the course for the whole event as it is a HUGE day and everyone will get very tired – remember the idea is to enjoy yourselves.
Suggestion 1:
Your team has a large vehicle, ie Van, that can comfortably accommodate 4/5 people and all the gear they will need whilst on the course (drinks,food,clothing).
This vehicle stays on the course and you have one other vehicle that can shuttle the next group out and bring the group who have just completed their legs back to your base.
Suggestion 2:
You have two normal sized vehicles – one takes a group of competitors and stays with them until they have completed their legs, e.g. Legs 1 – 5, and after meeting the next group comes back to your base. The second vehicle takes its group and heads out to the legs the second group is doing, eg Legs 6-10, and stays with the group and after meeting the next group heads back to your base. The first vehicle has re-loaded with the third group and heads back out to the legs the third group is doing, eg 11-15, etc.
Getting Around the Course – Length of the Lake Relay
You have two normal sized vehicles – one takes a group of competitors and stays with them until they have completed their legs, e.g. Legs 1 – 4, and after meeting the next group comes back to the finish line. The second vehicle takes its group and heads out to the legs the second group is doing, eg Legs 5 – 8, and stays with the group until the last leg.
Great Lake Relay
Composite (mix of runners and walkers)
Each team must consist of nine – eighteen members. Runners/Walkers may compete for only one team and run/walk a maximum of two legs, can be consecutive. There are eighteen 5.2km to 14.4km legs in total. Walkers must complete legs 1, 3, 4, 9, 10, 15, 16. Team members may either run or walk legs 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18.
All composite teams will start at 11pm Friday 12th February
Runners
Each team must consist of nine – eighteen member. Runners may compete for only one team and run/walk a maximum of two legs, can be consecutive. There are eighteen 5.2km to 14.4km legs in total.
All running teams will start at 2am Saturday 13th February
Great Lake Solo
Great Lake Solo 155km option.
Start Times:
Over 14 Hours: 7pm Friday 12th February
Under 14 Hours: 11pm Friday 12th February
Length of the Lake Team
Composite (mix of runners and walkers)
Each team must consist of four – eight members. Runners/Walkers may compete for only one team and run/walk a maximum of two legs, can be consecutive. There are eight 4.7km to 15km legs in total. Walkers must complete legs 1, 5, 6. Team members may either walk or run legs 2, 3, 4, 7, 8.
Start time is 7am on Saturday 13th February
Runners
Each team must consist of four – eight members. Runners/Walkers may compete for only one team and run/walk a maximum of two legs, can be consecutive. There are eight 4.7km to 15km legs in total.
Start time is 9am on Saturday 13th February
Walkers
Each team must consist of four – eight walkers. Walkers may compete for only one team and run/walk a maximum of two legs, can be consecutive. There are eight 4.7km to 15km legs in total.
Start time is 7am on Saturday 13th February
Length of the Lake Solo
Grade options are either Walker or Runner.
Start Time is 7am Saturday 13th February
*Competitors must finish by 6pm. If you think you will take longer than 11 hours there is an unofficial additional start at 5am – Please manually record your start time and let the marshals at the finish line know.
Prize-giving will be held at 6pm on the Tongariro North Domain. Competitors must be present to be eligible for prizes.
Major Spot Prizes (TBC for 2021)
Return flights for 2 people to San Francisco flying with United Airlines.
Greenlea Meat packages.
Ledlenser headlamps.
Smiths Sports Shoes/Asics shoe vouchers.
1-day vouchers.
Skyline Rotorua vouchers.
Minor Spot Prizes
There will be minor spot prizes up for grabs during the event. Please check the notice board at Event HQ on the Saturday to see if you are a lucky winner! You must show your managers book or race number to collect your prize.
Merit Prizes
The top 3 teams and individuals in each grade will receive medals and a prize.
Every Team Receives (TBC for 2021)
A race bag jam packed with goodies from our fabulous team of sponsors! This includes Hell Pizza Vouchers, Craisins and bottles of Loaded Sports Drink!
Course Records
Race records – Traffic Management Great Lake Relay
Walking grade – Team New Balance, Whangarei 13hrs 47min 00sec (2007)
Composite grade – Smiths Sports Shoes, Tauranga 12hrs 13min 17 sec (2013)
Running grade – Adidas / Delloite / HEB, Auckland 8hrs 42min 47sec (2002)
Race records – Smiths Sports Shoes/Asics Length of the Lake Relay
Walking grade – Smiths Sports Shoes & Asics Walkers, Papamoa Beach 7hrs 9min 30sec (2017)
Composite grade – Eastgate Flyers, Auckland 5hrs 51min 00sec (2017)
Running grade – Ripping & A Tearing, Te Puke 4hrs 43min 03sec (2013)
Solo male run – Russell Lake, Tauranga 4hrs 59min 44sec (2013)
Solo female run- Nicole Goldsmid, Feilding 5hrs 16min 24sec (2015)
Solo male walk – Michael Stride, Auckland 7:51:09 (2016)
Solo female walk – Penny Purcell, Tauranga 8:08:20 (2016)
Results
Professional photos can also be found at www.marathon-photos.com, search the event name then your bib number.
2020 Great Lake Relay Results (provisional)
2020 Length of the Lake Results (provisional)
2019 Length of the Lake Results
2018 Length of the Lake Results
2017 Length of the Lake Results
2016 Length of the Lake Results
2015 Length of the Lake Results
2014 Length of the Lake Results
2013 Length of the Lake Results
2012 Length of the Lake Results
2011 Length of the Lake Results
2010 Great Lake Relay Results
Wairakei Resort and Chateau Tongariro
Wairakei Resort Taupo offers excellent service, comfortable accommodation and plenty of leisure facilities amid the forested slopes of Wairakei Thermal Valley in the centre of New Zealand’s North Island. You can enjoy golf on our 9-hole course, play tennis on floodlit courts and visit the fitness centre for a game of squash. Two geothermally heated swimming pools and 6 outdoor hot tubs are complemented by an on-site spa.
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