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.
All entry fee’s are visible on the Entry Info page.
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Course Options and Details | Schedule | Compulsory Gear | Aid Stations | Prizes and Place getters | Event village location | Food | Course maps| Sponsors
Course Options & Details
Expect: hills, mud, rocks, slippery grass, and fun.
*Weather may affect the exact course. See terms and conditions.
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Distance: 5.7km
Elevation: 240m
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.
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Distance: 11km
Elevation: 430m
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.
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Distance: 19.3km
Elevation: 810m
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 – Race check-in & number collection opens
(No on-the-day entries)
8:45am – Race check-in closes (Endurance Epic)
8:55am – Mandatory course briefing (Endurance Epic)
9:00am – Race start (Endurance Epic)
9:15am - Race check-in closes (Midi Mountains)
9:25am - Mandatory course briefing (Midi Mountains)
9:30am – Race start (Midi Mountains)
9:45am – Race check-in closes (Slope Sprint)
9:55am – Mandatory course briefing (Slope Sprint)
10:00am – Race start (Slope Sprint)
3:00pm – Last finishers expected
3:30pm – Event village closes
Important: All competitors must check in and collect their race number before starting.
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. Note: These reductions apply based on the forecast conditions at the time the email was sent. If conditions change before or on race day, the Event Director reserves the right to reinstate any gear requirement in an email the day prior or/and the pre-race briefing. Please arrive prepared.
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 being withdrawn from the event.
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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)
A suitable pack, vest, or waist pack with sufficient capacity to carry all compulsory gear.
Recommended Equipment:
The following items are strongly recommended:
500ml water or sports drink — strongly recommended, particularly in warm conditions or if you are a slower runner.
Emergency survival foil blanket/bag
Lightweight gloves and beanie
Thermal mid-layer top
Energy snacks (e.g. PURE gels, lollies, bars)
All spare clothing and gear must be carried in a dry bag or waterproof snap-lock bag.
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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)
Capacity to carry a minimum of 500ml of Water/Hydration fluid.
A suitable pack, vest, or waist pack with sufficient capacity to carry all compulsory gear.
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 spare clothing and gear must be carried in a dry bag or waterproof snap-lock bag.
-
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 500ml of water or sports drink (capacity to carry 1000ml+ recommended)
A suitable pack, vest, or waist pack with sufficient capacity to carry all compulsory gear.
Recommended Equipment:
The following items are strongly recommended:
Small personal first aid kit
Waterproof overtrousers — seam-sealed
Thermal gloves
Additional warm layer
All spare clothing and gear must be carried in a dry bag or waterproof snap-lock bag.
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. Series prizegiving will be 28th August 2026 - 6pm to 8pm at Christchurch Adventure Park.
Event village location*
47 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.
COurse maps
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A friendly reminder that all locations are private and can only visited on event day.
Please note: GPS tracks can be slightly inaccurate to real life. Course markings must be followed on the day of the event instead of a saved GPX on your GPS device.
SLOPE SPRINT MAP
midi mountains MAP
epic endurance MAP
sponsors
