Event Information
Inaugural Orokonui Challenge
WALK - Saturday 22 April 2017 at 9am
RUN - Sunday 30 April 2017 at 11.30am
The inaugural Orokonui Challenge on is an 18.5km race and an 11km walk organised by Orokonui Ecosanctuary. All proceeds from the event will support our takahe and kaka conservation work.
The race is fantastic and beautiful all the way - it includes Orokonui’s protected forest, Orokonui estuary, Blueskin Bay and Doctors Point beach. Great views and great wildlife! Terrain varies from compacted gravel, grass, beach, asphalt and coarse gravel. The run includes 500-600m of climbing.
The walk includes Orokonui’s forest and Orokonui Estuary. Walkers can take their time and enjoy forest and estuarine wildlife. The walk includes 300m of climbing and the terrain is compacted gravel, grass and boardwalk.
See map for more details.
Entry Form
- Online through the Entry Form page
- Entries close at 4.30pm on 19 April. Late entries additional $15.
- Race open to +18 year olds only. Entry fee $50 per person
- Walk open to all ages. Entry fee $20 per adult, $10 per child.
- Terms and Conditions/Waiver must be agreed to before entry/payment accepted.
- An entry is not transferable to any other runner.
- No refunds for withdrawals will be made.
Start & finish time
- WALK: 22 April at 9.00am (Registration from 8.30am at Ecosanctuary Visitor Centre, 600 Blueskin Rd, Waitati)
- RACE: 30 April at 11.30am (Registration from 10.30am at Ecosanctuary Visitor Centre, 600 Blueskin Rd, Waitati)
- Both race and walk finish at the Orokonui Ecosanctuary, 600 Blueskin Rd, Waitati
Toilets
- There are toilet facilities in the Ecosanctuary Visitor Centre and for runners there will be a portaloo at the end of Osborne Rd. For walkers there is a long drop toilet at the DOC carpark (Orokonui Road) at the base of the Orokonui Estuary.
Water and First Aid
- There will be water/first aid/marshal stations at Chelivode St, the end of Osborne Rd and at the lower end of the McKessar track.
Safety
- Participants (runners and walkers) are encouraged to carry a seam sealed jacket, long sleeved thermal top and beanie. In poor weather, gloves and leg coverings are strongly recommended.
- All participants are to ensure their fluid levels are maintained for the duration of the race.
- If you are feeling unwell or have an injury please stop at a marshal station for assistance.
- There will also be marshals at the road sections and at route intersections.
- There will be NO road closures so normal road rules apply.
- Runners MUST wear race number on front of singlet (or shorts) and it must be clearly visible.
- We need to account for everyone on the course. Runners and walkers must visit the stations to get their numbers ticked off. If you finish early please inform a marshal as soon as possible.
- Runners will not be permitted onto Canoe Beach after 1:20pm.
Cancellations
- In the event of adverse weather conditions, or other reasons beyond the organisers’ control, no refunds can be given, though credit for the following year’s Challenge can be given.
- Cancellations will be advertised on Radio Dunedin and on the Orokonui Ecosanctuary website as soon as reasonably possible.
Food
- The Visitor Centre café will be open from 9am and there will be a sausage sizzle near the visitor centre. A free sausage is offered to each run and walk participant. $2 for supporters.
Supporters
- Family and friends are welcome to support runners and walkers but not follow runners or walkers which could cause congestion. Entry to the Visitor Centre is free. Entry into the Ecosanctuary itself is a discounted $10 per adult and $5 per child.
Prizes
- Results will be available online.
- Overall runners: First woman and first man
- Masters runners: First woman 35+ years old and the first man 40+ years old.
- Veteran runners: First woman and first man 50+ years old
- There’ll also be spot prizes for walkers and runners.
- Certificates will be available online to be downloaded.
- Prize giving will be held 12 noon on the grassland area inside the top of the Ecosanctuary
Course description
See Map Section for more details
The race
Starting outside the fence at the top of the Ecosanctuary, around the eastern side of Orokonui’s perimeter road, down the McKessar track, down Purakaunui Station Rd, along Osborne Rd, along Canoe beach (at low-mid tide) through the sea cave Doctors Point Beach, along Doctors Point Road, around the Opeke track, along Doctors Point Road, along Chelivode St to Orokonui Estuary Track, alongside the Orokonui stream, up through Orokonui Ecosanctuary’s Valley Track to finish at the top grassland.
The walk
Starting inside the Ecosanctuary on the grassland area, walk down through the Ecosanctuary protected forest from top to bottom, alongside the Orokonui stream, right around the eastern side of the Orokonui estuary, along Chelivode St, left along Doctors Point Rd, over the bridge, left onto the board walk and grass track to Killarney St, left over the bridge at Erne St, left along the western side of the Orokonui estuary, back alongside Orokonui stream, up through the Orokonui forest and back to the grassland area at the top of the Ecosanctuary.