Event Information
Orokonui Challenge
Sunday 14th March 2021 - registrations from 9:30am, race begins at 10:30am.
The Orokonui Challenge is an 18.5km race organised by Orokonui Ecosanctuary. All proceeds from the event will support our takahē and kākā conservation work.
The run 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.
See map for more details.
Entry Form
- Online through the Entry Form page
- Race open to +18 year olds only. Entry fee $50 per person
- 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
- Sunday 14th March at 10:30am (registrations from 09.30am at Ecosanctuary Visitor Centre, 600 Blueskin Rd, Waitati)
- Finish at the Orokonui Ecosanctuary, 600 Blueskin Rd, Waitati
Toilets
- There are toilet facilities in the Ecosanctuary Visitor Centre and portaloos at Chelivode St.
Water and First Aid
- Please bring your own cup/bottle
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.
- If you finish early please inform a marshal as soon as possible.
- Runners will be permitted onto Canoe Beach at the discretion of the marshal.
- Please bring your own cup/bottle to the maintaining fluid levels
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 the Orokonui Ecosanctuary website and facebook page as soon as reasonably possible.
Food
- The Visitor Centre café will be open from 9.30am and there will be a free cup of soup for all participants at the end
Supporters
- Family and friends are welcome to support runners but not follow runners 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.
- Prize giving will be held at 12 noon at the Visitor Centre
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.
