Mount Cass Station

Waipara  | 14th June 2026

Event #2 in the series. Located just five minutes north of Amberley, Mount Cass Station sits where the Waipara wine region meets the rugged Pacific coastline. This dramatic landscape is defined by impressive limestone outcrops, big hills, and bush-filled gullies, creating a challenging and visually striking course. Expect sustained climbs, technical descents, and constantly changing terrain, all rewarded with epic views across the Waipara district, Mount Grey, Pegasus Bay, and back toward Christchurch and Banks Peninsula. A true highlight for runners who love tough trails and big scenery.

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A large rock with the words 'Mt Cass Station' engraved on it, situated in a grassy field with a fence and rolling hills in the background under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

Course Options & Details

Expect: hills, mud, rocks, slippery grass, and fun.

*Weather may affect the exact course. See terms and conditions. (Link to terms and conditions)

  • Distance: 5.6km

    Elevation: 180m

    Begin by running up the ‘Old Road’ along the Omihi Stream, spot the white swan if you can! Then diverting across the creek and up onto some open land, dropping down for another small creek crossing. A steep sidle up to the farm homestead. Descend from here down to join the other courses, through the mini swamp then across the road and following winding Limestone Creek to the finish. 

  • Distance: 11km

    Elevation: 440m

    Begin by running up the ‘Old Road’ along the Omihi Stream under the trees then connecting onto the public Mount Cass track, a steep climb straight up to the junction before making your way round to the south side of the main Mount Cass ridge for views right across Pegasus Bay (Fingers crossed for clear views!). Shortly after this you divert from the Epic course over a small saddle navigating between some stunning limestone outcrops. Along the hill side you will speed past the limestone quarry saddle and make your way down into a cool swampy gully where you can absolutely expect some mud! Across the road you drop down again to a fun trail that follows Limestone Creek through to the finish line.

  • Distance: 21km

    Elevation: 700m

    Begin by running up the ‘Old Road’ along the Omihi Stream under the trees then connecting onto the public Mount Cass track, a steep climb straight up to the junction before making your way round to the south side of the main Mount Cass ridge for views right across Pegasus Bay (Fingers crossed for clear views!). Shortly after this you divert from the Midi course and continue along the side of the ridge past Mount Cass peak, fun undulating on track with potential views over to some northern coastline, eventually going straight up a special native bush gully off track. We think this will be the highlight of the route for most! Then back onto the farm track you will reach the main ridge saddle, from here running along the north side of the ridge amongst endless limestone outcrops of fascinating shapes! Back at the junction you will travel along the hill side, past the limestone quarry saddle and make your way down into a cool swampy gully where you can absolutely expect some mud! Across the road you drop down again to a fun trail that follows Limestone Creek through to the finish line.

Schedule

7:30am: Registration/Race pack pick up opens (No on the day entries available)

8:45am: Registration closes for Endurance Epic Run and Midi Mountains events

8:50am: Course briefing for Endurance Epic and Midi Mountains at start line (Compulsory)

9:00am: Start time of Endurance Epic Run and Midi Mountains

9:45am: Registration closes for Slope Sprint event

9:50am: Course briefing for Slope Sprint at start line (Compulsory)

10:00am: Start time of Slope Sprint event

2:00pm: Last finishers expected

2:30pm: Event village closes

Compulsory Gear

All gear listed is the minimum requirement to be carried. You can not start the race without it. You must check the weather forecast, dress appropriately.

We may reduce your minimum gear requirements if the weather on the day allows. The pre-race email will notify you of this.

It is winter, it can be very cold and wet! All locations have potential to have snow, rain and temperatures close to zero. We want to run this event in most conditions so please wear the right gear!

All spare clothing must be in a dry bag or plastic snap-lock bag to keep your gear dry until required. If you are warm we can all have fun! When choosing thermal clothing it must be THERMAL e.g. Merino or Polypropylene - NOT sport dry fit clothing e.g. ‘skins’.

Participants may be subject to random gear checks.

Failure to carry compulsory gear may result in disqualification.

  • All participants must carry the following:

    • Waterproof jacket — fully waterproof, seam-sealed, with hood

    • Mobile phone — fully charged and switched on

    • Any personal medication (must be recorded in your entry form)

    Recommended Equipment:

    The following items are strongly recommended:

    • 500mls of water/electrolyte drink

    • Emergency survival foil blanket/bag

    • Lightweight gloves and beanie

    • Thermal mid-layer top

    • Energy snacks (e.g. PURE gels, lollies, bars)

  • All participants must carry the following:

    • Waterproof jacket — fully waterproof, seam-sealed, with hood

    • Thermal base layer top (wool or synthetic)

    • Thermal beanie or hat

    • Mobile phone — fully charged and switched on

    • Any personal medication (must be recorded in your entry form)

    • Energy/nutrition — e.g. lollies or PURE energy gels. Sufficient for your expected duration (typically 1–3 hours)

    • Minimum 500ml of water or sports drink (capacity to carry up to 1000ml recommended)

    Recommended Equipment:

    The following items are strongly recommended, particularly in cold, wet, or windy conditions:

    • Emergency survival foil blanket/bag

    • Thermal gloves

    • Additional warm layer

  • All participants must carry the following:

    • Emergency survival bag (foil bivvy/bag — blankets are not acceptable)

    • Waterproof jacket — fully waterproof, seam-sealed, with hood

    • Thermal base layer top (wool or synthetic)

    • Thermal mid-layer top (warmer than a base layer)

    • Thermal beanie or hat

    • Mobile phone — fully charged and switched on

    • Any personal medication (must be recorded in your entry form)

    • Energy/nutrition — e.g. lollies or PURE energy gels. Sufficient for your expected duration (typically 2–5 hours)

    • Minimum 1 litre of water or sports drink (recommended to start full)

    Recommended Equipment:

    The following items are strongly recommended:

    • Small personal first aid kit

    • Waterproof overtrousers — seam-sealed

    • Thermal gloves

    • Additional warm layer

Aid Stations

Aid Stations are only available for the Midi and Epic course. Actual location may differ if course is changed due to weather. (You will receive an email the day before or at very least at race briefing). There will be drink available at the finish line for all competitors.

At each aid station there will be:

  • PURE Sport Nutrition Electrolyte Drink

  • Plain Water

  • No cups - To help reduce waste and our environmental footprint, we do not provide disposable cups at aid stations. Please carry your own bottle, cup, or hydration system to refill on course. We recommend this cup, or this flask.

Midi Mountains: 2x Aid stations 

Location:

  • 3.2km - Junction

  • 5.8km - Junction

Epic Endurance: 2x Aid stations 

Location:

  • 3.2km - Junction

  • 13.9km - Junction

Prizes & placegetters

Each event is participation focused with no prizegiving on the day of the events.

Spot prizes will be awarded at random to competitors on event days as they cross the finish line. Runners who complete all four trail running events will compete for series prizes, awarded to the top three male and female finishers within each age group and distance. All are welcome to celebrate the end of the season with a Series prizegiving in late August (date and location TBC).

Event village location*

Symonds Road, Waipara

*A friendly reminder that the locations are private land. You may only visit this location on race day.

 

Food

Our fundraising group will be providing food for sale on the day.

Please support this group. Cash is the method of payment. 

Rolling hills and green fields under a blue sky with wispy clouds, with trees and a fence in the foreground.
A dirt trail winds through a grassy hillside lined with trees and rocks, leading into a dense, green forest on a cloudy day.
A large sign carved into a rock with the words 'MT CASS STATION' on a grassy field with mountains and a blue sky in the background.
A dirt trail winding through dense green trees and foliage on both sides, with some exposed roots and rocks on the path.