The 25km North Range Traverse starts at 9am at the top end of North Range Road on the Pahiatua Track. Participants in the Traverse will be transported by bus from Race HQ (Ferry Reserve, Ballance) to the start of their event.
The 25km course is off-road on a well-formed road. The section between 3.5 and 11km is on a 4wd track and is likely to include muddy sections which may be slippery, so trail shoes will be an advantage. Starting at the top of Pahiatua Track, participants follow North Range Road through the Te Rere Hau and Tararua Windfarms. The first 3.5km is on a gradual incline until you reach the Te Rere Hau Windfarm offices. From there the course is mainly undulating over the Tararuas with stunning views over Manawatu and the Tararua District. Along the way, participants pass a fascinating range of different wind turbine designs. Once you reach the woolshed on Hall Block Road, it is only another 5.5km of steep descent to the bottom of Hall Block Road, from where a short stretch along Gorge Road takes you back to the finish at the Ferry Reserve. Relax and grab some sustenance while you wait for the afternoon prize giving.
Aid stations: Two aid stations serving water, energy drinks and fruit will be located at approximately 11km and 19km. However, the aid stations should not be relied upon as your sole source of hydration and nutrition.
Cut-off times: The cut-off time for the event is 2:30pm, giving participants in the North Range Traverse 5.5 hours to finish the race.
Entry info
This year’s event has been cancelled.
Parking and transport
Parking space is at Race HQ (Ferry Reserve). Please park here and NOT on Gorge Road or at the Bridge Cafe. While ample parking is available, we request that you consider the environment and carpool to the event as far as possible.
Buses will be available at Race HQ to transport all pre-entrants to the start of the event. Buses leave at 8:15am sharp, so please be there in time to make your way to the bus. Participants making use of late entry into the North Range Traverse need to arrange their own transport to the start of the event. Drop-offs only, as there is no parking available at the start of the North Range Traverse.
Safety info
The course of the North Range Traverse is run along an exposed route through the wind farms of the northern Tararuas, and participants may have to face strong winds and rain, which can combine to create very cold conditions.
Please acquaint yourself with the safety information and recommended gear lists provided on the Safety Info page.
The route
For a high-resolution (3MB) version of the route map, click on the image below.
North Range Trio 