Mount Torlesse Station
Springfield | 12th July 2026
Event #3 in the series. Located just five minutes northeast of Springfield, at the base of the incredible Mount Torlesse, this venue delivers a classic Canterbury high-country trail experience. Runners traverse rugged rocky tracks, open tussock slopes, and sheltered pockets of mānuka and beech forest — with the added thrill of creek crossings that will leave you with wet feet and a smile. Long climbs and exposed ridgelines open up to breathtaking views of the Mount Torlesse Range and sweeping panoramas across the Canterbury Plains back to Christchurch — raw, remote, and unforgettable.
Navigate to:
Course Options and Details | Schedule | Compulsory Gear | Aid Stations | Prizes and Place getters | Event village location | Food
Course Options & Details
Expect: hills, mud, rocks and fun.
*Weather may affect the exact course. See terms and conditions. (Link to terms and conditions)
-
Distance: 6.4km
Elevation: 120m
Warm up well with 1.5km up the farm road then up into a higher terrace dipping in and out of the gullies before heading straight up to the summit of Caesars Hill. At the top you might be treated to incredible views of the lake, the unique and rare red tussock, the mountain range and upper Little Kowai River. Down an exclusive single track (likely muddy!) you’ll send your way down to the riverside. Following the river back we treat you to a small section of river bed to experience some more adventure before the final stretches to the finish line.
-
Distance: 11.3km
Elevation: 450m
Warm up well with 1.5km up the farm road then up into a higher terrace dipping in and out of the gullies before heading straight up to the summit of Caesars Hill. At the top you might be treated to incredible views of the lake, the unique and rare red tussock, the mountain range and upper Little Kowai River. Down an exclusive single track (likely muddy!) you’ll send your way down to the riverside. Following the river up to a river crossing you’ll join the Epic course. Here the big hill begins, around 300m vert up the Kowai Bush spur. After the climb you’ll divert off down a side spur for a fun and technical descent all the way back to the river further downstream, crossing over again then across to the finishline.
-
Distance: 21.2km
Elevation: 840m
Warm up well with 4km of undulating farm road before beginning your first big climb, these tracks take you right to back end of the station and the base of the mountain range. After saddle and views of the neighbors Lake Rubicon you go up ‘The Zig Zags’ a steep rocky track then down into blissful beech tree forest. Descending your way to the upper reaches of the Little Kowai River, make sure to look up at the mountains and the specatcular ‘Monkey Face’. Follow the river all the way back to near Lake Caesars before crossing the river. Here the final big hill begins, around 300m vert up the Kowai Bush spur. After the climb you’ll divert off down a side spur for a fun and technical descent all the way back to the river further downstream, crossing over again then across 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: 1x Aid station
Location:
8.4km - Base of final hill
Epic Endurance: 1x Aid station
14.6km - Base of final hill
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*
Rubicon Road, Springfield
Follow the signs on race day
*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.
