Mt Isthmus Traverse

Mt Isthmus Traverse - Event Schedule

Mt Isthmus Traverse - Event Day Timetable

Mt Isthmus Traverse - Race Entry Fees

EVENT REFUND POLICY:

If in the unfortunate circumstances a participant must withdraw from the event due to ill health or injury – NO REFUNDS will be allocated – only race entry transfers to the following year or race entry transfer to another participant will be permitted. Should you need to withdraw and / or transfer your race entry – please notify the Race Director as soon as possible.

If the event has to be cancelled as a result of severe weather conditions including heavy rain, hail, snow, wind or severe heat or reasons beyond control *NO REFUNDS will be allocated – however registered participants will be eligible to register for the following years event benefiting from a discounted 20% off registration fee.

PLEASE NOTE: In the unfortunate circumstances Novembers event has to be cancelled due to COVID-19 all pre-registered participants race entries will be automatically transferred to a re-scheduled event *date TBC. Under special circumstances race registrations may be transferred to another Active QT event.

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EVENT DATE:

Saturday 8th November 2025

EVENT HUB:

Pre Event Registration – The Camp Lake Hawea, Glen Dene Station, New Zealand.

Race Day – Dinner Flat, Glen Dene Station, Lake Hawea.

EVENT LOCATION:

All events start and finish at Dinner Flat on the Glen Dene Station. This location is on private land appox 13.8km up the road from Lake Hawea heading towards to Makarora and the West Coast.

Lake Hawea is an easy, scenic 15 minute drive from Wanaka and on the road to Makarora and the West Coast. A place of vivid beauty, mountainous extremes and legendary fishing spots. Lake Hawea is an outdoor adventurers’ paradise and a great place to boat, swim, kite surf, kayak, ride, walk or just laze about on the beach.

With magnificent views of the surrounding peaks, and a lake to cool off, Lake Hawea offers a welcome respite from the long hot months of summer.

REGISTRATIONS:

Online Registrations Open at 12:00pm (midday) on Wednesday 1st December 2024.

Online Registrations Close at 8:00pm on Wednesday 5th November 2025 *unless sold out prior.

Last minute registrations available in the 10km and 5km Hill / Trail Run events on the day of the event between 7:00am – 10:30am.

Pre Event Registrations / on the day registrations: If you are in the area on Friday 7th November 2025 you are welcome to collect your race packs at the event hub at The Camp – Lake Hawea between 5:30pm – 7:30pm. For those who cant make it to the pre event registration on the Friday 7th November 2025 you are most welcome to collect your race pack on the morning of the event at the event start / finish line located at Dinner Flat, Glen Dene Station on Saturday 8th November 2025 between 7:00am – 10:30am.

EVENT START TIMES:

8:00am – Mt Isthmus Traverse Mountain Marathon

8:00am – Mt Isthmus Traverse 27km Hill Run

11:00am – Mt Isthmus Traverse 10km & 5km Hill / Trail Runs

RACE BRIEFINGS:

A final event briefing will take place at approx 10mins prior to each respective start time.

WEATHER:

The weather in November is generally quite warm with temperatures ranging between eighteen and twenty four degrees celsius with light winds. At the same time with the event taking place in an alpine environment the weather can also change at any time.

In the event of bad weather the event will be postponed until the weather is more favourable on the event day. In the unfortunate circumstances the event has to be cancelled race entries will NOT be refunded however registered participants will be able to register for the following years event at a 20% discounted rate.

COMPULSORY CLOTHING:

*Compulsory clothing is only required for the Marathon & 27km events.

♦Seam Sealed Waterproof Jacket

♦Long Sleeve Thermal Top and Leggings

♦Thermal Beanie & Gloves

First Aid Kit:

♦Whistle ♦Survival Bag *not blanket ♦2m long Crepe Bandage ♦Triangular Bandage ♦X5 Bandaids ♦Small Scissors, ♦5m long roll of 2cm wide strapping tape.

♦x4 pain relief tablets to be used in the event of an accident whilst you await for medical assistance.

♦Medication: please carry any medication required as per your online registration specification.

♦Hydration: Minimum 1ltr water at the start of the event

♦Nutrition: Sufficient Bars/Gels for the duration of the event guided by your training requirements.

RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:

With the nature of the event taking place in an alpine environment the weather can change at any time and very quickly hence the reason to carry all compulsory clothing required. The temperature at Lake Level (348m) is quite different to that along the alpine ridges reaching (1385m).

If the weather on the day is cooler than average and you are prone to cold we recommend you carry an additional thermal garment for comfort peace of mind. At the end of the day its better to have it and not need it as opposed to need it and not have it!

GEAR DROP:

All participants in the event will be able to leave a small bag containing personal belongings in a dry and secure location before the start of the event and collect post run by presenting your race number.

COURSE DETAILS:

A course map detailing the route and marshal / aid station checkpoints will be given to participants at the event registration.

OFFICIALS / CHECK POINTS / DRINK STATIONS / COURSE MARKING:

Participants are responsible to carry their own food and hydration for the event – however Water and Energy Drink will be readily available at SEVEN checkpoints in the Marathon event and FOUR checkpoints in the 27km event as well as at the start and finish line.

The courses will be well marked with fluorescent pink tape and red directional arrows to guide you. Please follow these markers, do not deviate from the course and obey the instructions of the race officials at all times.

FIRST AID:

In the unlikely event of an emergency, first aiders will be located around the course and at the START / FINISH. Qualified personnel will be assessing participants during the race to make sure that everyone is in a fit and good physical condition to continue.

TOILETS:

Toilets will be located near to the start / finish line.

AWARDS CEREMONIES:

There will be two awards ceremonies on the day of the event at the Event HUB located near to the Start / Finish line at Dinner Flat, Glen Dene Station, Lake Hawea.

5km & 10km approx 1:00pm

Marathon & 27km approx 4:00pm

CAR PARKING:

There is plentiful parking in designated areas near to the START / FINISH at Dinner Flat, Glen Dene Station. Please look out for the car parking signs and follow the instructions of event officials.

WASTE:

Please make sure that anything you take on to the course that needs to be disposed of after use is disposed of in the rubbish bins provided at the checkpoints and at the finish line. LITTERING WILL RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION.

RACE WITHDRAWAL:

In the unfortunate situation a participant must withdraw from the event you must inform the nearest checkpoint staff and wait with them until the last participant passes the checkpoint and then be escorted – transported to the finish line accordingly.

ACCIDENT REPORTING:

In the unfortunate circumstances a participant has an accident during the race – please (if you can) make your way to the nearest checkpoint and notify the first aid staff. If a participant cannot make it to the next checkpoint as a result of injury – the participant must stay in the area of cause of injury and does not deviate from the course whilst also use their compulsory gear as required whilst also notifying other participants of their injury for them to in turn notify the next checkpoint staff. Whilst waiting for assistance the participant must stay in the location where they obtained their injury and the first aid team will come to them.
Should another participant assist another injured runner; they are to take note of the time spent assisting the injured person and this time will be deducted from their overall time upon notification at the finish line.

INSURANCE:

It is recommended that participants traveling from overseas obtain appropriate travel insurance taking in to consideration they are taking part in a sporting event in the event of a medical emergency.

EVENT REFUND POLICY:

If in the unfortunate circumstances a participant must withdraw from the event due to ill health or injury – NO REFUNDS will be allocated – only race entry transfers to the following year or race entry transfer to another participant will be permitted. Should you need to withdraw and / or transfer your race entry – please notify the Race Director as soon as possible.

If the event has to be cancelled as a result of severe weather conditions including heavy rain, hail, snow, wind or severe heat or reasons beyond control *NO REFUNDS will be allocated – however registered participants will be eligible to register for the following years event benefiting from a discounted 20% off registration fee.

PLEASE NOTE: In the unfortunate circumstances Novembers event has to be cancelled due to COVID-19 all pre-registered participants race entries will be automatically transferred to a re-scheduled event *TBC. Under special circumstances race registrations may be transferred to another Active QT event.

SAFETY, RACE RULES & FAIR PLAY

All things necessary for you to have a safe and enjoyable day at the lake – click HERE

ACCOMMODATION:

The Camp at Lake Hawea offers a variety of accommodation options available inc camping, glamping, cabins and cottages.

For reservations please contact the reservations team via email: reservations@thecamp.co.nz

Other accommodation options at Lake Hawea & Lake Wanaka

LOCAL ATTRACTIONS:

Lake Hawea is every outdoor enthusiasts dream playground. With an abundance of lakeside trails and mountain hikes it’s no surprise that many people visit the area year round for some fun in this amazing alpine environment.

If you are up for a challenge and enjoy running on a variety of terrain including mountain trails, single track, ridge-lines and 4wd farm tracks whilst enjoying spectacular mountain and lake views – this is the event for you!

*Please note, a course map is not disclosed to participants prior to the event as the event takes place on private property.

All Events Start and Finish at the same location.

Click on following links to view course profiles.

Mountain Marathon

The Marathon starts with a 1km lap around a large grass paddock before runners head out on an undulating grass / 4wd track for appox another 6km to CP1 at approx 7km.

At *CP1, Marathoners will turn Right and start the first climb of approx 3km to CP2 at approx 10km.

From CP2 it almost all downhill to CP3 at approx 13km.

At CP3 runners will turn Right and take on the biggest climb of the day up to CP4 at approx 20km.

At CP4 runners will turn Left and run up to a viewpoint and back past *CP4 on to *CP5 at approx 31km. The views of Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea along the ridgeline between CP4 – CP5 are out of this world!

At CP5 runners will turn Left again and head out to the Mt Isthmus Viewpoint and back to *CP5 before continuing on. *This is a 3km out and back section of the course.

Upon returning to *CP5 for the second time approx 34km, runners will turn Left and run downhill all the way to the finish line.

27km Mountain Run

The 27km Hill Run starts with a 1km lap around a large grass paddock before runners head out on an undulating grass / 4wd track for appox another 6km to *CP1 at approx 7km.

At approx 7km *CP1, runners will continue straight on before taking on the biggest climb of the day up to CP2 at approx 13km.

At CP2 runners will turn Right and run along the ridgeline for approx 7km to *CP3 at approx 20km. The views along the ridgeline between CP2 – CP3 are simply breathtaking!

At CP3 runners turn Right and it’s all down hill to the finish line!

10km Trail-Hill Run

The 10km Hill Run starts with a 750m lap around a large grass paddock before runners turn Right and follow a formed 4wd / walking track uphill to a turn around point at CP1 at approx 5km.

Once runners reach the turn around checkpoint, runners will simply run back down the hill and turn Left in to the same large grass paddock that they did at the start – but run in reverse… This run is breathtaking in so many ways!

5km Trail-Hill Run

The 5km Trail-Hill Run starts with a 750m lap around a large grass paddock before runners turn Right and follow a formed 4wd / walking track uphill to a turn around point at CP1 at approx 2.5km.

Once runners reach the turn around checkpoint, runners will simply run back down the hill and turn Left in to the same large grass paddock that they did at the start – but run in reverse…