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Event Option

Marathon

This marathon course wraps around the lake edge, passing through Taupo’s lakeside communities and along its picturesque bays.

Starting and finishing at the Tongariro Domain (Great Lake Centre), the course first heads through Riverside Park and out along Acacia Bay Road, onto Wakeman Road, then a new section out to Whakamoenga Point.  On the way back to town, you will go down to the Acacia Bay boat ramp and along the lake edge, back along the Acacia Bay Road straight, over the Control Gate Bridge and back through Riverside Park.

The second half takes place on the stunning (26 year strong) half marathon course, heading along Lake Terrace and the highway, all the way out to 5 Mile Bay. From there the course returns back along the lake edge pavements, 10km of amazing views of the lake and snow-covered mountains, to the Tongariro Domain to finish.

Half Marathon

A loop course, mostly on a flat scenic road on the edge of Lake Taupo. The course heads along Lake Terrace and the highway, all the way out to 5 Mile Bay. From there the course returns back along the lake edge pavements, 10km of amazing views of the lake and snow-covered mountains, to the Tongariro Domain to finish.

Start Information

 

Start area – Tongariro North Domain access lane (behind tennis courts on Story Place).

Please enter the start arena in the appropriate area for your estimated finishing time.

  • 9.00am – half marathon runners
  • 9.10am approx – half marathon walkers

Note: 10mins before the start there will be an event briefing, please make sure you are present.

 

Aid Stations

 

Drink stations (with water and Nuun electrolyte) will be positioned at approximately the 5, 9, 14, 16 and 19km points.

To minimise waste we are reducing cups at the drink stations and encourage you to bring your own bottle, cup or hydration pack. The stations are equipped for you to refill these.

There is a mix of public toilets and portaloos approximately every 2kms along the course.

First Aid will be available on the course by a roving Peak Safety team member.

Cut Off Times

  • 5km –   13.00
  • 9km –   14.00
  • 14km – 15.00
  • 16km – 15.30
  • 19km – 16.00

 

General Course Information

All courses are marshalled and signposted. The courses are not suitable for wheelchairs and all entrants must complete the same course. Please obey marshalls at all times.

No dogs on the courses please! Supporters and spectators must not accompany runners and walkers at any stage during the event.

10KM

A scenic out and back course along the lakefront to 2 Mile Bay, with amazing views of the lake and snow-covered mountains.

Start Information

Start area – Tongariro North Domain access lane (behind tennis courts).

Please enter the start arena in the appropriate area for your estimated finishing time.

  • 9.50am – 10k – runners first followed immediately by walkers

 

Note: 10mins before the start there will be an event briefing, please make sure you are present.

 

Aid Stations

 

Drink stations (with water and Nuun electrolyte) will be positioned at approximately the 5 and 9km points.

To minimise waste we are reducing cups at the drink stations and encourage you to bring your own bottle, cup or hydration pack. The stations are equipped for you to refill these.

There is a mix of public toilets and portaloos approximately every 2kms along the course.

First Aid will be available on the course by a roving Peak Safety team member.

General Course Information

All courses are marshalled and signposted. The courses are not suitable for wheelchairs and all entrants must complete the same course. Please obey marshalls at all times.

No dogs on the courses please! Supporters and spectators must not accompany runners and walkers at any stage during the event.

5KM

A scenic out and back course along the lakefront, with amazing views of the lake and snow-covered mountains.

Start Information

Start area – Tongariro North Domain access lane (behind tennis courts).

Please enter the start arena in the appropriate area for your estimated finishing time.

  • 9.55am – 5km – runners first followed immediately by walkers

Please check start times on event information in the event pack.

The safety briefing will be given at the start line. All entrants must be present!

Note: 10mins before the start there will be an event briefing, please make sure you are present.

 

General Course Information

 

All courses are marshalled and signposted. The courses are not suitable for wheelchairs and all entrants must complete the same course. Please obey marshalls at all times.

No dogs on the courses please! Supporters and spectators must not accompany runners and walkers at any stage during the event.

Kids Dash

A one mile loop through the southern domain and back to finish.

Entrants must be accompanied by an adult on course at all times. Parents aren’t required to enter or register.

The Kids’ Dash is a family friendly event and therefore baby buggies/prams can be used.

ENTRY INFORMATION

  • Age – Under 8 years
  • Entry is free
  • Enter at registration only up until 9.45am on event day

start information

Start area – Tongariro North Domain access lane (behind tennis courts on Story Place)

  • Midday

General Course Information

All courses are marshalled and signposted. Please obey marshalls at all times.

No dogs on the courses please! Supporters and spectators must not accompany runners and walkers at any stage during the event.

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Health & Safety

Participant responsibility code

 

It is the responsibility of each participant to ensure that they have read and understand all the course, event and safety information obtaining to their chosen event before entering the event. It is also the responsibility of the participant to ensure they are at a competent level to complete their choose event. All personal, contact, emergency and medical information given to Total Sport must be true and accurate.

 

Risk Disclosure

 

“I have read and understand the safety information regarding this event and understand that I participate in this event at my own risk. I hereby attest and verify that I am physically fit and have sufficiently trained for and reviewed the course descriptions and difficulty ratings of the event that I have chosen to enter. I agree to comply with the rules and directions of event officials and their personnel. I hereby allow the use of my name and image to be used in the media and for marketing purposes.

I understand and accept that my details will be added to the Total Sport event database and I will be contacted from time to time in regards to upcoming events and promotions. I understand that my details will never be distributed to a third party. I hereby agree that in the case of event cancellation due to extreme inclement weather (at the discretion of event officials), my entry fee shall be non‐refundable. I hereby acknowledge this risk disclosure, release and indemnity discharge all persons, corporations, associations and bodies involved or otherwise engaged in promoting or staging the event and their servants, agents, representatives, officers and employees.

This includes but is not limited to the various committees, members, and employees of all independent contracted suppliers to the event, local councils, cities and districts and their respective officers, directors, employees, independent contractors, representatives, agents, volunteers, event organisers and sponsors whether or not the loss, injury or damage is attributed to the act or neglect of any or more of them.

I agree to disclose any personal medical conditions which may affect staff, myself or other participants at a Total Sport event. I agree to disclose any specific patient details and/or relevant medical information when treated by a Total Sport staff member or Event Medic for an accident, for the purpose of continual improvement of the Safety Management System. The Privacy Act (1992) prevents Total Sport from releasing specific patient details, without patient consent.”

 

Required Competencies

  • Sufficient preparation to complete your chosen event
  • Ability to follow course marking
  • Must carry any required gear with you
  • Appropriate experience for the event you are competing in (see course ratings)
  • Read all course and safety information prior to participating

 

Course ratings

(The ratings below are the minimum experience level required to participant in each specific event)

 

  • 5km run/walk – First time
  • 10km run/walk – First time
  • 21km run/walk – Beginner
  • 42km run/walk – Intermediate

 

 

 

 

Rules

 

  1. All participants must follow the course marking signs and instructions, this is your responsibility.
  2. Participants are not allowed to go off course routes. Should you wish to withdraw you must notify an event official e.g. marshal or course crew and await instructions.
  3. On completing the event you must cross the finish line as the timing transponder records you as finishing – this is used as a safety check for participants.
  4. Participants who require any personal medication or disability assistance devices while participating must carry those items. This is your responsibility.
  5. You must wear your event number on your front so it is visible at all times. You must wear your timing transponder correctly at all times, on your shoes, around your ankle or on the fork of your bike for mountain bikers.
  6. NO LITTERING please
  7. When over taking other runners/walker you must signal to them that you are attempting to pass. Pass on the right.
  8. You must respect and treat fellow participants with care. Be friends out there.
  9. If you are entered in a walk event you must walk only
  10. Leave gates as you found them

Recommended Equipment

 

  • Waterproof and windproof jacket. (Please note that emergency ponchos are not recommended)
  • Thermal layer – long top. Cotton is not recommended. Thermal hat – buff/beanie/balaclava acceptable.     Wool or polypropylene recommended
  • Thermal gloves – wool or polypropylene recommended.
  • Survival blanket (silver foil type)
  • Whistle. (Please note: choose a pea-less version to ensure it works when wet)
  • Personal medication (if required). This includes glasses, corrective lenses and/or other disability assisting  devices.
  • Personal hydration and nutrition. Although aid stations are present on course they should not be relied upon as your sole source of hydration and nutrition.

This is a recommended equipment list and is only a guideline to what participants should consider taking during the event. It is the responsibility of the participants to participant with equipment that is suitable for the conditions and their ability.

 

 

 

Hazards

 

  1. Vehicles
  2. Other participants
  3. Inclement weather – Heat/Cold
  4. Personal injury and individual physical condition
  5. Challenging terrain
  6. Natural hazards e.g. rough surfaces, livestock, (Long and S/Long) slippery rock, ocean and unstable cliffs
  7. Manmade hazards e.g. stairs, fences, bridges, gates

 

Course Restrictions

(cut-offs etc. if required)

 

 

Incident Protocol

 

Should you encounter an incident on course, please follow these steps:

  1. STOP – do not place yourself in danger
  2. Try to communicate with the person
  3. Assist with basic first aid if you are capable and can do so safely
  4. Send the next participant through to notify the next event official of the situation and location of the incident e.g. two bikers collided, 4km back on the trail, one requires assistance to a sore arm.
  5. Stop the next participant and request assistance if required.

 

Incident reporting form

 

If you have recently be involved with a Total Sport event and were involved or witnessed an incident please complete this Incident reporting form and email or send to us.

   Incident Report Form

Safety and Medical Providers – Peak Safety

At Total Sport we have been using the safety services of Peak Safety for quite some time now – they really are top shelf! They have been in operation since 1996 (1 year longer than us!) so have a massive amount of experience to draw on; this combined with their absolute passion for the outdoors and everything safety really does make for a winning combination.

Not only do they offer a wide range of safety management services but they also run a large range of safety and first aid courses. If you or someone you know needs something in this department we highly requirement you get in touch with these guys first – very nice and very professional! Learn more at peaksafety.co.nz

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Celebrating 25 Years

Celebrating 25 Years

FROM THE BEGINNING

Seeing a gap in the New Zealand running calendar, the Taupo Harrier Club came up with the idea of a mid-winter half marathon. And so it began, with Levenes (now Freedom) as naming sponsors until 2008 when Mizuno came on-board.

691 runners and walkers lined up on the Tongariro North Domain for the inaugural Taupo Half Marathon in 1994. Prize giving was held inside the GLC and hand written certificates were collected on the way out. When the event grew too big for the club to manage, the Taupo Half Marathon Society was formed to take over, with proceeds being distributed to young sports people of the Taupo District. Over $300,000 has been given out to date!

PHOTOS FROM THE ARCHIVES

In 2014 Total Sport was contracted to manage the event, bringing with them Hoka One One as the brand new naming sponsors, changing the events identity once again. A 5k and 10k option were added in 2014 and the first full off/on road Taupo Marathon beginning at Huka Falls included the following year.

The event has seen many changes over the years. From manual timing, result booklets and certificates posted out, to the introduction of electronic timings and results on line by the time you finish. With many course tweaks over the years, the turn around at 5 Mile Bay has moved very little from the end of the road. Event numbers peaked at over 4000 keen runners and walkers in 2005 making it the largest stand-alone Half Marathon event in the country.

All four seasons have turned up for the event – sometimes on the same day! And no one will ever forget the 2016 event when it began to snow – much to the delight of many (but not all) runners and walkers who said it only added to their event experience.

CELEBRATING OUR ALL TIME LEGENDS

In 2018 there will be 5 people on the start line, aiming to complete their 25th Taupo Half Marathon! We take our hats off to these “Absolute legends” who have turned up year after year since 1994.

Christine Ball

I began running in 1981 and switched to walking in 2005 as it was less wear and tear on my body.

My event highlight is walking the Half Marathon with my daughter three times as she carried the latest grandchild in a baby pack. My daughter was walking to get back into shape after childbirth. (We did this with Josh 2009, Bina 2012 and Kipp 2014).

I return year after year because it is always a well-organised event and it is a scenic enjoyable course.

My favourite motivation secret to getting out the door is to arrange to walk with a friend and also to join a walking/running club.

I feel very lucky to have enjoyed good health on the first Sunday/Saturday in August year after year.

 

 

 

 

Andy Bloomer

I began running when I was at school; over 50 years ago! The sports team coach recommended/required it. It was also in the days of Arthur Lydiard and running for basic fitness. That is still a major part of my reason for running (and biking): to keep up a basic level of fitness. The other is to get out into the lovely environment that we are in. I also need a goal to get me out training, so the Taupo Half Marathon in winter gets me out when it is darker and colder, followed by the Kinloch Half a month later. I also usually cycle Around the Lake, for much the same reason. I mountain bike reasonably regularly but do not have an event to aim for there. I time myself and that tells me whether I am keeping up the effort.

Having done all the Taupo Half Marathons is an added incentive to keep doing so. I have occasionally nudged holidays a week or so one way or another to ensure that I am in Taupo that weekend.

My swimming has dropped off so it is quite a while since I have entered a triathlon: I used to be a regular at the Taupo triathlon.

We are very fortunate in the place we live, to have fantastic tracks and scenery. Most of my road runs involve the Lake Walkway to a greater or less extent and off road runs include the Huka Falls track; both very beautiful tracks, even when the weather is not so good. Huka Falls track/the Rotary Ride is where I MTB too, as well as Craters and the tracks east and west of Kinloch and some of the other more distant, occasionally.

The Taupo Half Marathon is very well organised. At one stage there was a bit of a problem with congestion with slower walkers and runners all bunching up but that has been resolved.

Marion Fournier

Marion FournierI started walking when my favourite gym closed late 1993 and I didn’t fancy other options. A few months later I read about a new half marathon starting up so went along to the local sponsor to collect an entry form and training program and have since completed over 35 half marathons and one full marathon. I come back each year for the atmosphere, beautiful scenery, easy course and just to see how long I can keep doing it. Over the years I have walked in all weather conditions from frosty, icy roads and snow to pouring rain.

My highlight or greatest achievement along with the first event was in 2008 when I completing the event four weeks after finishing chemo and radiation treatments. While my time was not great making it to the finish line was something special and a real celebration.

Having a goal like completing a half marathon is the best motivation for getting me out there training on the cold dark winter mornings and having a hyperactive dog who needs to be walked helps too. Joining the Taupo Harrier Club and having that camaraderie is also good motivation.

Like what you’ve read? Come celebrate 25 years with us!

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Event Info

Apparel

Marmot Event Shirt for only $49.00!

Lightweight, Breathable, Quick-Drying Performance Knit Fabric.
Avoid missing out – order online with your entry.

Limited sizes will be for sale at registration.

Men’s shirt
sizes Small to 2XLarge		 Ladies shirt
sizes XSmall to XLarge

Finish/Recovery

Finish

The finish line is on Tongariro North Domain adjacent to the Great Lake Centre and will close at 4.30pm.

Water and replacement drink are available in the finish area.

First Aid Station will be provided at the finish line by Peak Safety.

All finishers receive a chocolate fish (Taupo brown trout) on exiting the finish area.

Finishers in all distance events will receive a medal.

 

Recovery

There will be live music at the event base throughout the day so put your feet up and enjoy some great refreshments on us once you have finished! SPEIGHT’S and Nuun electrolyte nwill be your drink option as well as the traditional chocolate fish of course.Hot soup and buns are available free to all finishers in the Great Lake Centre. Other refreshments will also be available for purchase by the finish area.

Massages will be available in the Great Lake Centre for a small fee.

Showers are in the Super Loo adjacent to the Great Lake Centre.

Prizegiving Results & Certificates

Prizegiving will be on the Tongariro North Domain (rain or shine) at 3.00pm.

Major spot prizes will be drawn at random.

You must be present with ID to claim major spot prizes.

Once again, there is a fantastic range of major spot prizes;

Plus a youth prize and much much more!

 

The first male and first female runner and walker in each distance will receive a trophy. No age group placings will be acknowledged or awarded, however they will show in the results.

 

Provisional finish times will be live on the website throughout the day.  Results will be updated on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and finalised once all queries have been sorted.

Certificates will be available for downloading at the end of the day.

Taupo Marathon Scholarship Programme

The aim of the Taupo Marathon Scholarship Programme is to get people off the couch and completing a 10km walk/run in 10 weeks! This involves making a positive change to one’s overall health and wellness, so the dividends keep on paying.

If you or someone you know want to make a health and fitness lifestyle change but need a little helping hand, the Taupo Marathon Scholarship Programme is perfect.

Through a 10 week journey, from late May until the event in August, successful applicants will come to an intro evening where you’ll be provided with a training programme, nutritional and lifestyle advice, and goal setting sheets.

Applicants will also need to commit to group training for one hour, one night a week for 10 weeks leading up to the Taupo Marathon. Finally you’ll be registered for the 10km event which you can complete with other scholarship participants – and your goal will be achieved!

There are no costs involved in being part of the Taupo Marathon Scholarship Programme.

Sound like a bit of you? Or does it make you think of someone that a scholarship could benefit? Take the step and fill out the application form today.

Each of the 10 successful participants will receive;

  • An entry into the Taupo Marathon 10km run/walk event on Saturday 3rd August
  • A goals worksheet
  • Nutritional information and a food diary to complete
  • Ten one-hour group training sessions
  • Scholarship programme Marmot exercise shirt

If you are a keen bean to make a change, then let’s do this! Download and complete the application form below, then return it to [email protected] before Monday 13th May. We will be contacting all applicants shortly after.

Training

“Keen to train smart for the event?

We’ve teamed up with Foundation Run so you can kick start your training with a 50% discount on your first four weeks of run coaching and gym sessions.

They work closely with physiotherapists and strength & conditioning coaches to tailor a running program especially for you while keeping a watchful eye on your loading and stresses along the way to help you avoid injuries.  Foundation Run believe in training smart and training strong. They also believe training should be loads of fun.

For more information visit foundation.run

We’ve also got some super simple and easy to follow running programs just for you!

Marathon Training Programme

Half Marathon Training Programme

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Registration Information

FRIDAY 2 August 2019

Great Lake Centre, Taupo,
4.00pm to 10.00pm

SATURDAY 3 August 2019

Great Lake Centre, Taupo.

6.00am to 7.15 am for marathon entrants

7.00am to 8.45am for half marathon entrants (to 9.40am for 10k, 5k and kids dash entrants)

All entrants must collect their race number with the timing strip from event headquarters prior to starting.

You don’t need to bring your confirmation email with you for registration though the Reference number is helpful in case there is a problem.

Late entries will be accepted at both FRIDAY and SATURDAY registration up until 15 min prior to start of event.

StART TIMES

Start area – Tongariro North Domain access lane (behind tennis courts)

To check your start time look for for distance under event options tab.

TIMING

  • There will be NO timing tag check at registration.
  • All events are electronically timed.
  • Timing transponders are attached to the back of your race number.
  • Race numbers must be worn on your front to record your time.
  • Timing transponders do not need to be handed in.
  • Provisional results will be live on the website throughout the day. Results will be finalized once all checks and queries have been dealt with.

  • BAG SECURITY

    Gear can be left at the bag security room from 7.00 am on event day and collected after finishing.  All gear MUST be in a bag and labelled with your race number and name.

    Any items left at the start line will be taken to Bag Security.

    PRIZES

    Minor spot prizes (a 1 in 15 chance) will be given out at the finish line.

    The first male and female runner and walker in each distance will receive an award.
    No age group or walker placings are awarded or acknowledged.  These will be shown in the results.

    SPONSORS’ EXPO

    Sponsors’ products can be purchased at the sponsors’ expo.

    PARKING

    There is ample free parking around the Great Lake Centre, in Riverside Park and the adjacent CBD area. Parking restrictions apply on Saturday mornings.