ENTRY INFO

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Race categories | Entry fees | Awards, prizes & medals | Refund, Cancellation & Transfers | Terms & conditions

Who Can Enter?

The Winter Trail Run Series welcomes runners and walkers of all abilities.

Whether you’re new to trail running, building confidence on uneven terrain, or chasing a competitive result, these events are designed for you.

Participants are welcome to run, walk, or combine both, provided they are able to complete the course within the published cut-off times.

Courses take place on working farmland and include uneven, hilly, and potentially muddy terrain. Participants should be prepared for these conditions and confident in their ability to manage them.

Cut-off times are in place for safety and event management purposes and are designed to be achievable for prepared participants. Full cut-off details can be found in the Terms and Conditions section below (Section 5.)

If you’re unsure which distance is right for you, please get in touch, we’re happy to help.

Race Categories

Your age category is your age on the day of the event.

To be eligible for the series award, your age category is your age on the day of the final event of the series.

Male and Female categories for each distance:

● Junior 8–19 years*

● Open: 20–39 years

● Veteran: 40–54 years

● Classic: 55+ years

* The Junior category is open to participants aged 8–19 years. Must be 19 or younger on the day of individual event. Participants aged 8–12 years may compete in the Slope Sprint only and must be accompanied by a supervising adult. Junior entries are offered at a reduced entry fee to help encourage and support young people to enjoy trail running.

Team Entries

Mates, schools, clubs and workplaces have the option to create their own teams and take on the Winter Trail Series together. Your individual result will still be recorded and recognised in the standard results.

Teams compete for collective bragging rights across the season, with every finisher contributing points toward their team total:

Epic Endurance – 25 points
Midi Mountains – 20 points
Slope Sprint – 15 points

The bigger the crew, the stronger the score. Teams are encouraged to have at least three members (no maximum limit), and members may compete in any distance.

Team leaderboards will be published after each event, with overall standings at the end of the series. There are no team prizes or formal awards, just winter-long bragging rights.

How to enter a team: Simply select or create your team name during registration. Each team created will have password created by the founding member that should be shared to all fellow team mates. They will use this when registering to join the team.

Full details on creating a team entry can be found here.

Entry Fees

All events can be entered individually or as a complete series.

Series Entry (All four events at once at a discounted rate)

Save 15% off the current individual entry price
Full Series entries close at 11:59pm on 12 May 2026
Individual entry prices and price rise dates are below:

Willesden Farms - Kaituna Valley Entry Fees

24 May 2026

Individual entries close at 11.59pm on the 19th of May.

Early Bird entry until 29 March:
- Adult: $49 Junior: $35
Standard Entry - 30 Mar- 26 Apr
- Adult: $59 Junior: $40
Late Entry - 27 Apr - 12 May
- Adult: $75 Junior: $45
Super Late Entry - 13 May - 19 May
- Adult: $90 Junior: $50
Early Bird entry until 29 March:
- Adult: $69 Junior: $45
Standard Entry - 30 Mar- 26 Apr
- Adult: $79 Junior: $50
Late Entry - 27 Apr - 12 May
- Adult: $105 Junior: $55
Super Late Entry - 13 May - 19 May
- Adult: $130 Junior: $60
Early Bird entry until 29 March:
- Adult: $89 Junior: $55
Standard Entry - 30 Mar- 26 Apr
- Adult: $99 Junior: $60
Late Entry - 27 Apr - 12 May
- Adult: $125 Junior: $65
Super Late Entry - 13 May - 19 May
- Adult: $150 Junior: $70

mount cass station Entry Fees

14 June 2026

Individual entries close at 11.59pm on the 9th of June.

Early Bird entry until 19 April:
- Adult: $49 Junior: $35
Standard Entry - 20 Apr- 17 May
- Adult: $59 Junior: $40
Late Entry - 18 May - 3 Jun
- Adult: $75 Junior: $45
Super Late Entry - 4 Jun - 9 Jun
- Adult: $90 Junior: $50
Early Bird entry until 19 April:
- Adult: $69 Junior: $45
Standard Entry - 20 Apr - 17 May
- Adult: $79 Junior: $50
Late Entry - 18 May - 3 Jun
- Adult: $105 Junior: $55
Super Late Entry - 4 Jun - 9 Jun
- Adult: $130 Junior: $60
Early Bird entry until 19 April:
- Adult: $89 Junior: $55
Standard Entry - 20 Apr - 17 May
- Adult: $99 Junior: $60
Late Entry - 18 May - 3 Jun
- Adult: $125 Junior: $65
Super Late Entry - 4 Jun - 9 Jun
- Adult: $150 Junior: $70

mount torlesse station Entry Fees

12 July 2026

Individual entries close at 11.59pm on the 7th of July.

Early Bird entry until 17 May:
- Adult: $49 Junior: $35
Standard Entry - 18 May - 14 Jun
- Adult: $59 Junior: $40
Late Entry - 15 Jun - 30 Jun
- Adult: $75 Junior: $45
Super Late Entry - 1 Jul - 7 Jul
- Adult: $90 Junior: $50
Early Bird entry until 17 May:
- Adult: $69 Junior: $45
Standard Entry - 18 May - 14 Jun
- Adult: $79 Junior: $50
Late Entry - 15 Jun - 30 Jun
- Adult: $105 Junior: $55
Super Late Entry - 1 Jul - 7 Jul
- Adult: $130 Junior: $60
Early Bird entry until 17 May:
- Adult: $89 Junior: $55
Standard Entry - 18 May - 14 Jun
- Adult: $99 Junior: $60
Late Entry - 15 Jun - 30 Jun
- Adult: $125 Junior: $65
Super Late Entry - 1 Jul - 7 Jul
- Adult: $150 Junior: $70

INVERARY STATION Entry Fees

9 August 2026

Individual entries close at 11.59pm on the 4th of August.

Early Bird entry until 14 Jun:
- Adult: $49 Junior: $35
Standard Entry - 15 Jun - 12 Jul
- Adult: $59 Junior: $40
Late Entry - 13 Jul - 28 Jul
- Adult: $75 Junior: $45
Super Late Entry - 29 Jul - 4 Aug
- Adult: $90 Junior: $50
Early Bird entry until 14 Jun:
- Adult: $69 Junior: $45
Standard Entry - 15 Jun - 12 Jul
- Adult: $79 Junior: $50
Late Entry - 13 Jul - 28 Jul
- Adult: $105 Junior: $55
Super Late Entry - 29 Jul - 4 Aug
- Adult: $130 Junior: $60
Early Bird entry until 14 Jun:
- Adult: $89 Junior: $55
Standard Entry - 15 Jun - 12 Jul
- Adult: $99 Junior: $60
Late Entry - 13 Jul - 28 Jul
- Adult: $125 Junior: $65
Super Late Entry - 29 Jul - 4 Aug
- Adult: $150 Junior: $70

Awards, prizes & medals

Medals

Finisher medals are available as an optional add-on when entering through the race registration website. Medals are not included in the standard entry fee and are produced strictly based on pre-orders only.

To receive a finisher medal at each event, please order one medal per race (e.g. A full series entry requires four medals).

This approach reduces overproduction, supports sustainability, and helps keep entry fees affordable, while still allowing participants to purchase a meaningful keepsake if they wish.

Medals may be purchased at the time of entry or later by logging into your Race Roster account. Medal orders close 12 days prior to each event.

Medal Refunds and Delivery

The refund policy for medals follows the same schedule as entry fees.

Once medal orders close (12 days prior to the event), medals are non-refundable.

If you order a medal but do not complete the event, you remain entitled to receive your medal (provided no refund has been issued).

Medals may be collected at the finish area or posted for an additional fee.

Medal purchases are specific to the selected event and are non-transferable between events.

Awards & Prizes

Individual events are participation-focused and do not include a formal prizegiving on the day. Spot prizes will be awarded as outlined below.

Spot Prizes

At each event, random spot prizes generously provided by sponsors will be awarded to participants as they cross the finish line.

Spot prizes are selected at random and are not based on finishing position. They are designed to reward participation and support community spirit.

Series Awards

The series rewards consistent performance and participation across all events, with athletes competing in more events having a significant advantage in the overall standings.

Series awards will be presented to the Top 3 male and female competitors in each age group and distance at the end of the season.

Series rankings are based on the total accumulated points across all events. Those with the highest number of points across the winter series will be up for series awards.

To be eligible for series awards, competitors must:

Compete in the same distance category at all events they enter
Meet all event and safety requirements

Age category is determined by your age on the day of the final event of the series.

The series prizegiving will be held several weeks after the final event. Full details will be published closer to the end of the series.

Series Points System

Points are awarded at each event based on finishing position within each age group and distance:

Place Points

1st: 100

2nd: 95

3rd: 90

4th: 85

5th: 80

6th: 75

7th: 70

8th: 65

9th: 60

10th: 55

11th–20th: 50

21st+: 45

Only official race results count toward series points.

Participants who do not start (DNS), do not finish (DNF), or are disqualified (DSQ) will not receive points for that event.

Tie-Breaks

In the event of a tie on total series points, the competitor with the highest individual finishing position during the series will be ranked higher.

If competitors remain tied, the competitor with the higher finishing position in the final event will be ranked higher.

If competitors remain tied, awards may be shared at the organiser’s discretion.

Team / Club Challenge

Mates, schools, clubs and workplaces have the option to create their own teams and take on the Winter Trail Series together.

Teams compete for collective bragging rights across the season, with every finisher contributing points toward their team total at each event:

Epic Endurance – 25 points

Midi Mountains – 20 points

Slope Sprint – 15 points

Team scores are cumulative across all events in the series. The bigger the crew, the stronger the score. Teams are encouraged to have at least three members with no maximum team size. Participants may compete in any distance and still contribute to their team.

Participants may only represent one team per event.

Teams must be created at the time of entry (or updated via your entry account), and participants may only represent one team per event.

Team leaderboards will be published after each event, with final standings at the end of the series. There are no team prizes or formal award, just winter-long bragging rights.

Refund, Cancellation & Transfer Policy

We encourage all participants to carefully consider their availability and fitness before entering.

Delivering safe, high-quality trail events involves significant planning, staffing, and upfront costs. This policy helps ensure the long-term sustainability of the series while remaining fair to participants.

By registering, you agree to our terms.

For the purposes of this policy, “event” refers to an individual race within the Winter Trail Run Series.

1. Refunds

Refunds are based on the date and time you notify us in writing (via email). Refunds are processed to the original payment method.

Refunds are typically processed within 10 working days.

Timing of Cancellation and Refund Amount

More than 100 days before event: 80%
100 – 21 days before event: 50%
20 – 12 days before event: 30%
11 days or less before event: No refund

All timeframes are inclusive and calculated from the scheduled event date.

If exceptional circumstances arise, please contact us. We will consider requests on a case-by-case basis, at the organiser’s sole discretion.

The Winter Trail Run Series does not offer third-party refund insurance.

a) Transfer to Future Events

Transfers to future events are not offered in 2026. To enter a different event, please follow the refund process and re-register.

b) Transfer to Another Distance

Transfers are available up to 12 days prior to the scheduled event date.
Must be completed via your Race Roster account
A $5 admin fee applies
Credit is issued for the original entry
New entry must be purchased at the current rate
No additional refund is provided if the new entry is cheaper
All transfers are subject to availability in the selected distance.

c) Other Manual Changes

Other manual changes (e.g. name corrections, team changes) may incur a $20 admin fee.
No changes are permitted within 12 days of the event.

d) Series Entries

Individual entries can be changed as above.
Where a participant has entered multiple events (including series entries), refunds apply only to events not yet participated in. No refunds will be issued for events already completed.

2. Event Changes or Cancellation

We aim to deliver safe and enjoyable events. However, circumstances beyond our control may require changes.

a) Course or Format Changes

The organiser may modify the course or format due to safety, weather, or other unforeseen conditions.
Participants agree to take part in any amended event under the same terms and conditions.

b) Event Cancellation

Events may be cancelled due to extreme weather, natural disasters, pandemics, government restrictions, or other force majeure events. In these circumstances, no refunds will be provided, except where required by law. An event credit may be offered as follows:

More than 14 days from event date: 50% of entry fee
14 days or less from event date: 20% of entry fee

Credits may be used toward a future event. Credits are non-transferable, not redeemable for cash, and must be used within 12 months unless otherwise stated.

The organiser is not liable for any additional costs incurred by participants, including travel, accommodation, or equipment.

3. Legal Disclaimer

Nothing in this policy is intended to limit any rights participants may have under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 or the Fair Trading Act 1986.

Terms & conditions of Entry

Canterbury Winter Trail Run Series 2026

By entering any event in the Canterbury Winter Trail Run Series, you agree to the following Terms and Conditions.

1. Participant Responsibility

Participants are responsible for ensuring that:

They have read and understood all event, course, and safety information
They have appropriate fitness and experience for their chosen distance
They have provided accurate personal, emergency, and medical information
They are capable of completing their selected event safely
They carry any personal medication or medical equipment they may require
Their emergency contact and medical details are current and accurate.
Their own physical and mental condition throughout the event and making appropriate decisions about their ability to continue safely

The organiser is not responsible for any delay, complication, or consequence arising from incorrect, incomplete, or outdated information provided by the participant.

2. Entry Deadlines & Cut-Off Times

All entries must be completed by the published entry cut-off date and time for each event.

Late entries will not be accepted unless explicitly stated by the organiser.

Entry cut-off times are strictly enforced to allow for accurate safety planning, staffing, timing, and logistics.

3. Risk and Acknowledgement

Trail running is an outdoor endurance activity that involves inherent risks, including uneven terrain, weather exposure, physical exertion, and potential injury.

By entering, you acknowledge these risks and agree to participate at your own risk.

You confirm that you are physically fit and have prepared adequately for the event.

Participants acknowledge that access to medical assistance, aid stations, and rescue services may be limited or delayed due to terrain, weather conditions, and remote locations.

Participation is entirely at the participant’s own risk.

4. Safety and Compliance

Participants must:

Follow all instructions issued by event officials and marshals. These instructions are provided to assist participants; however, participants remain responsible for their own safety and decisions at all times
Remain on marked courses. While all reasonable efforts are made to mark and manage the course, markings may be unclear, missing, or affected by weather, stock, or other conditions. Participants are responsible for maintaining awareness of the course at all times.
Respect private land and property
Display race numbers as directed
Comply with all safety requirements
Meet all published course cut-off times and accept withdrawal if deemed unable to continue safely

Failure to comply may result in removal from the event and disqualification.

Participants who withdraw, retire, or abandon the Event must notify the nearest marshal or event official as soon as reasonably practicable and must not leave the course without doing so.

The organiser reserves the right to withdraw participants who fail to meet cut-off times or who are assessed as unable to continue safely.

There may be be public road crossings at the events. Participants must exercise their own judgment when crossing any road. While marshals may be present to assist with identifying crossing points, participants are responsible for assessing traffic conditions and ensuring it is safe to cross at all times.

5. Course Cut-Off Times

Our events are designed to cater for a wide range of abilities, from first-time trail participants and walkers through to experienced runners competing for podium positions. All events operate under published cut-off times for safety, land access, and operational reasons. These limits are set at a pace that is achievable for most participants who are capable of walking the full distance on hilly terrain.

Slope Sprint (5-7km): 2.5-hour cut-off.
Example: On a 6km course, this equates to an average speed of approximately 2.4km per hour (25 minutes per kilometer)
Midi Mountains (9-12km): 3.5-hour cut-off.
Example: On an 11km course, this equates to an average speed of approximately 3.1km per hour (19 minutes per kilometer)
Endurance Epic (19-23km): 6-hour cut-off.
Example: On a 20km course, this equates to an average speed of approximately 3.3km per hour (18 minutes per kilometer)

These timeframes allow for steady walking, short rest stops, and normal fatigue management. Participants who are unable to maintain the required minimum average pace may be withdrawn from the course in the interest of participant safety and event operations.

Cut-Off Time Discretion

While the published cut-off times apply to all events, the Event Director and safety team reserve the right to exercise reasonable discretion in the enforcement of cut-offs for the Slope Sprint and Midi Mountains events where conditions permit. Consideration may be given to factors such as weather conditions, participant wellbeing, course safety, and proximity to the finish line.

This discretion is not guaranteed and may be withdrawn at any time at the sole discretion of the Event Director in the interest of participant safety, landowner requirements, or event operations.

6. Equipment, Clothing, and Preparation

Participants are responsible for ensuring they carry and use appropriate equipment for their chosen event and prevailing conditions.

This includes:

Carrying any compulsory safety equipment specified by the organiser
Using a suitable pack to carry required gear where applicable
Wearing appropriate footwear for trail and off-road conditions
Wearing suitable clothing for cold, wet, windy, or variable weather
Carrying additional layers where required
Carrying any personal medication (e.g. inhalers, EpiPens, insulin)

The organiser may conduct gear checks and may refuse participation to anyone who does not meet compulsory equipment requirements.

Recommended equipment lists may be published prior to each event.

Participants may be prevented from starting or continuing if compulsory equipment requirements are not met.

Participants are responsible for ensuring they have the skills, fitness, and preparation required to safely complete the event and manage the conditions encountered on the course.

7. Course Changes and Event Modifications

The organiser reserves the right to modify courses, start times, distances, or formats where required for safety, environmental, or operational reasons.

Participants agree to take part in any amended event under under these Terms and Conditions.

8. Withdrawal, Refunds, and Transfers

All entries are subject to the published Refund, Cancellation & Transfer Policy.

Participants are responsible for understanding and accepting this policy before entering.

Participants must not transfer or give their race entry or bib to another person except through the official event transfer process. This is required for safety, identification, and emergency management purposes.

9. Liability and Indemnity

To the fullest extent permitted by New Zealand law, I release, waive, and discharge the event organiser and owner (Winter Trail Run Series), including its directors, employees, contractors, volunteers, sponsors, affiliated partners, landowners, farm owners, farm managers, and property managers, from any and all claims, demands, actions, liabilities, losses, costs, or damages arising from my participation in the Event(s), including personal injury, illness, death, property loss or damage, or economic loss, except where liability cannot be excluded under New Zealand law.

I agree to indemnify and hold harmless the above parties against any claim brought by or on behalf of me arising from my actions, negligence, or breach of these Terms.

The organiser is not liable for any additional costs incurred by participants, including travel, accommodation, or equipment.

10. Photography, Media, and Promotion

The organiser may capture photographs, video, and audio recordings during events.

By entering, participants grant irrevocable permission for this material to be used for promotional, marketing, and media purposes without compensation.

11. Behaviour and Sportsmanship

Participants must behave respectfully toward other competitors, volunteers, landowners, staff, and members of the public.

Unsafe, abusive, or unsporting behaviour may result in removal from the event without refund and exclusion from future events.

12. Privacy and Personal Information

Personal information is collected for event administration and communication.

Information will be managed in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020 and will not be shared without consent, except where required by law.

13. Force Majeure

The organiser is not liable for delays, modifications, or cancellations caused by circumstances beyond reasonable control, including severe weather, natural disasters, pandemics, or government restrictions.

14. Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of New Zealand, and any disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of New Zealand courts.

15. Agreement

By entering, you confirm that:

You have read and understood these Terms and Conditions
You agree to be bound by them
You accept the risks associated with participation
You agree to comply with all event rules, instructions, and safety requirements
All results, placings, and series standings are determined by the organiser and are final

16. Private Land, Hazards, and Environmental Care

All events take place on privately owned working farmland that is not normally open to the public.

Access is granted by landowners for event day only. Participants must not enter these properties outside of permitted event times. Unauthorised access may result in trespass action by the landowner.

Participants agree to respect the land, landowners, livestock, infrastructure, and equipment at all times.

We are grateful to our landowners for providing access to these special locations and ask all participants to help maintain these relationships through respectful behaviour.

a) Course Hazards

Participants acknowledge that hazards may be present, including but not limited to:

Livestock and working farm animals
Electric fences, barbed wire, and standard farm fencing
Farm machinery and vehicles
Rocks, uneven ground, and loose surfaces
Hidden holes and ground concealed by grass
Slippery surfaces, mud, and wet terrain
River and creek crossings
Animal dung and natural debris
Bees, beehives, and insects
Native vegetation including ongaonga (stinging nettle) and Matagouri.
Roads, rail crossings, and shared access routes
Cold, wet, and windy winter conditions

Any other hazards typical of working farms and high-country environments.

Participants are responsible for identifying and navigating these hazards safely and with care. Not all hazards will be marked or controlled.

b) Environmental Responsibility