32km Run / Walk NEW
Race Start – 0815hrs.
By popular demand, the Tussock Traverse just got longer! The 32km course is the feature offering for 2020. Starts near the beginning of Tukino Road (just inside SH1). Entrants begin with a Tukino Road section which is gradual at first, but prior to the single track, there is a long hard climb. From there it’s a mixture of rock hopping, lava fields, desert, alpine track (the views are amazing), and beech forest before finishing beside the Chateau Tongariro in Whakapapa.
NOTE: This full 26km course of years gone by is contained within this expanded 32km option. 
Courses. Tracks, Stats & Maps
6km Course
Tracks: Using the Upper then Lower Taranaki Falls Track for an awesome loop!
Elevation Stats: 138m Up and 154m Down.
10km Course
Tracks: Using the Upper Taranaki Falls Track for first 2.7km, turning right on the Round The Mountain Track to a turn point at the 4.7km mark. From 6.7km – 10km you’re on the Lower Taranaki Falls track home.
Elevation Stats: 306m Up and 322m Down.
21km Course
Tracks: Waihononu Track from SH1 through to the Waihohonu Hut. Merge with Round The Mountain track. With just over 3km to go you hit the Lower Taranaki Falls Track.
Elevation Stats: 544m Up and 392m Down.
32km Course
Tracks: Tukino Road turning right on the Round The Mountain Track. Merging with the 21km course (near the Waihohonu Hut) a tick over the halfway point. With just over 3km to go you hit the Lower Taranaki Falls Track.
Elevation Stats: 775m Up and 700m Down.
Event Options
32km run and 32km walk* (please note strict cut-off apply for the walk)
21km run and 21km walk
10km run and 10km walk
6km run and 6km walk
Age Categories
| Young Tussock Men (Under 23 years) | Older Tussock Men (50 years plus) |
| Young Tussock Women (Under 23 years) | Older Tussock Women (50 years plus) |
| Open Tussock Men (under 40 years) | Oldest Tussock Men (60 years plus) |
| Open Tussock Women (under 40 years) | Oldest Tussock Women (60 years plus) |
| Masters Tussock Men (40 years plus) | |
| Masters Tussock Women (40 years plus) | |
Timeline for Event Day.
Saturday 25th January, 2020
32km Run/Walk Event.
– Chateau Tongariro. LATE Registration. 0600hrs – 0625hrs.
– Your arrival @ the TOP of Bruce Road for bus transport. By 0640hrs.
– Buses depart @ the TOP of Bruce Road. 0650hrs.
– Buses arrive in your start area. 0755hrs.
– Race Start. 0815hrs.
– Finishers expected Chateau Lawn. 1045hrs – 1615hrs.
21km Run/Walk Event. WAVE ONE
– Chateau Tongariro. LATE Registration. 0630hrs – 0755hrs.
– Your arrival @ the TOP of Bruce Road for bus transport. By 0810hrs.
– Buses depart @ the TOP of Bruce Road. 0820hrs.
– Buses arrive in your start area. 0915hrs.
– Race Start. 0945hrs.
– Finishers expected on Chateau Lawn 1115hrs – 1615hrs.
21km Run/Walk Event. WAVE TWO
– Chateau Tongariro. LATE Registration. 0700hrs – 0825hrs.
– Your arrival @ the TOP of Bruce Road for bus transport. By 0840hrs.
– Buses depart @ the TOP of Bruce Road. 0850hrs.
– Buses arrive in your start area. 0945hrs.
– Race Start. 1015hrs.
– Finishers expected on Chateau Lawn 1145hrs – 1615hrs
10km RUN
– Special event parking on Bruce Road below Tussock Tavern. From 0730hrs.
– Chateau Tongariro. LATE Registration. 0730hrs – 0845hrs.
– Chateau Tongariro Lawn. Briefing 0900hrs.
– End of Ngauruhoe Place. Race Start 0915hrs.
– Finishers expected on Chateau Lawn 1000hrs – 1130hrs.
10km WALK.
– Special event parking on Bruce Road below Tussock Tavern. From 0730hrs.
– Chateau Tongariro. LATE Registration. 0800hrs – 0915hrs.
– Chateau Tongariro Lawn. Briefing 0930hrs.
– End of Ngauruhoe Place. Race Start 0945hrs.
– Finishers expected on Chateau Lawn. 1110hrs – 1300hrs.
6km Run & 6km Walk.
– Chateau Tongariro. LATE Registration. 1115hrs – 1230hrs.
– Chateau Tongariro Lawn. Combined Briefing. 1245hrs.
– End of Ngauruhoe Place. Race Start 1300hrs (6km Run)
– End of Ngauruhoe Place. Race Start 1305hrs (6km Walk)
– Finishers expected on Chateau Lawn. 1330hrs – 1500hrs.
Event Rules
- In the event of extreme weather conditions or factors outside of our control, some or all of the events could have delayed start times or be cancelled, and some of the events could be moved to our contingency course (depending on what the weather situation calls for). It will be at the discretion of the event organisers and the mountain safety team as to whether the event goes ahead as intended or not. If you are unsure on the day if the event will be going ahead please contact The Chateau (0800 242 832)and they will have further info, they will be updated early on the Saturday morning if there are any changes to the event.
- The Event Manager will advise at the race briefing if all compulsory equipment will be required depending on the weather conditions on the day. Any entrants clothing etc taken to the start of the race that is not required can be left in a clearly marked bag and checked in with a designated event marshal at the gear bus. Those bags will then be taken back to the Chateau event base and can be collected by the entrant at the finish.
- All entrants must stay on the course and pass all marshals. Tail-end marshals will follow the last entrant and work with Peak Safety to ensure everyone is off the mountain safely.
- If you are entered as a ‘walker’ you will be disqualified from the race if you are seen jogging or running by an event official, course marshal or Victory Events staff member. If you’re intending to run even one step in either of the three races please register as a ‘runner’.
- The tracks are open to the public so please respect their space.
- Qualified mountain safety medical support will be available both on the course and at the event base, but please acknowledge this is an off-road event and access could be difficult.
- You are entering an alpine mountain environment with extreme weather changes possible. All entrants must carry the compulsory equipment which will be checked before the race.
- This event is held within the Tongariro National Park, a World Heritage Area, it is a special place and we are privileged to be able to hold this event in it. Please keep to the track at all times and take all rubbish with you. This event is run by Victory Events, in conjunction with Project Tongariro, to promote this magic place and we ask you to participate in this spirit.
- Entrants must help other entrants in trouble. Having everyone finish safely is the number one event priority.
- 32km entrants not reaching the Waihohonu Hut (approximately 16.5km from the startline) prior to 12.30pm(4 hours 15 after race start) will be required to exit the event course at the Hut and walk out to the Desert Road with our course crew. Transport will be provided from there back the event base at the Chateau.
- 21km entrants not reaching the Waihohonu Hut (approximately 5.5km from the startline) within 90 minutes of their wave start time (11.15am for wave 1 and 11.45am for wave two ) will be required to exit the event course at the Hut and walk out to the Desert Road with our course crew. Transport will be provided from there back the event base at the Chateau.
Compulsory equipment and support stations
– 32km and 21km events
Compulsory event gear for all distances WILL be checked at pre race registration and might be checked prior to the start and/or during the event on the course. Depending of the weather conditions on the day Victory Events may reduce the equipment requirements if the weather is suitable, please ensure that you bring all compulsory equipment to the event registration on the Friday evening, and also to the event start line as there will be random gear checks before the event briefing.
A wind/rainproof jacket, thermal top and beanie, emergency blanket and fluid must be carried during the race. We recommend carrying a minimum of 2 litres of water for the 21km and 3litres for the 32km option as there is no safe water supply on the mountain and there will be no drink/aid station stops on the event course.
Pure electrolyte and Tongariro Water (www.tongarirowater.com) will be available at the Chateau Lawn (finish line) for you to refuel and recover.
Compulsory equipment and support stations – 10km & 6km event
Compulsory event gear for all distances WILL be checked at pre race registration and might be checked prior to the start and/or during the event on the course. Depending of the weather conditions on the day Victory Events may reduce the equipment requirements if the weather is suitable, please ensure that you bring all compulsory equipment to the event registration on the Friday evening, and also to the event start line as there will be random gear checks before the event briefing.
A wind/rainproof jacket, thermal top and beanie, and fluid must be carried during the race. We recommend carrying a minimum of 750ml of water for the 6km event and 1.5L for the 10km event.
Pure electrolyte and Tongariro Water (www.tongarirowater.com) will be available at the Chateau Lawn (finish line) for you to refuel and recover.
Pre-Event Registration Times 2020.
Date: Friday 24 January, 2020
Time: 4.00pm – 10.00pm
Location: Tongariro Room, The Chateau Tongariro, Whakapapa Village
Date: Saturday 25 January, 2020
Time: 6.00am – 9.15am (32/21/10km) then again from 11.15am – 12.30pm **
Location: Tongariro Room, The Chateau Tongariro, Whakapapa Village
** Specific registration closing times for respective events on Saturday:
– 32km run/walk registration closes @ 6.25am.
– 21km run/walk registration for Wave One closes @ 7.55am.
– 21km run/walk registration for Wave Two closes @ 8.25am.
– 10km run registration closes @ 8.45am.
– 10km walk registration closes @ 9.15am.
– 6km run/walk registration closes @ 12.30pm.
Registration Process 2020.
#1 Dig out your clean dry shoes and pass by the Check Clean Dry team. They will supply you with a sticker once they are satisfied your shoes pass the test.
#2 Show your compulsory gear to us! Pass through the Compulsory Gear Check area (see the full compulsory gear list below). Once checked you’ll be provided with your compulsory gear wristband, which effectively means your gear is good to go!
#3 Move onwards to the registration tables. You’ll then be issued with your event number/transponder plus any bus tickets and dinner tickets that you have pre ordered.
#4 If you like to order additional bus transport tickets or dinner tickets (subject to availability) or make any changes to your order you will be directed to our event changes team inside the event registration room.
#5 Review the up to date weather conditions and ask any last minute questions you may have.
Accommodation
The Chateau Tongariro, in Whakapapa Village, is the preferred accommodation provider for the Tussock Traverse and official registration and awards ceremony/dinner venue. Offering elegant, old world charm the Chateau also provides convenience with all events finishing on the lawn outside the hotel. More details here.
Bus Transport for 32km and 21km Events,
Event Parking for 10km/6km Events
and Directions to Chateau Tongariro.
Getting to the registration venue (The Chateau Tongariro)
From Auckland – Driving directions
From Wellington – Driving directions
32KM and 21KM BUS TRANSPORT SUMMARY.
Your bus ticket ($35.00) needs to be purchased in addition to your event entry in order to get to the start line. Travel by bus from the top of Bruce Road is compulsory for all entrants in these events. There will be no passenger pick up’s made in Rangipo for the 2020 event. All bus transport to the start of the 32km and 21km events departs from the one location near the top of Bruce Road.
Your $35.00 bus ticket provides the following:
– Transport pre event from top of Bruce Road to your 32km or 21km start line (full location details below).
– Gear service. Any personal gear (that you don’t want to compete with) will be collected from you at the start line and made accessible to you on from approx 11.00am post event inside the Tongariro Room (the pre race registration venue).
– Transport post event from Chateau Tongariro to top of Bruce Road.
26KM BUS PICK UP LOCATION DETAILS.
– Carpark 10 (near the top of Bruce Road and the Whakapapa Skifield) is the official pick up location for 32km and 21km entrants.
– Carpark 10 is about a 7 minute drive up the Bruce Road from the Chateau Tongariro so please factor this into your morning’s plans. The carpark will be clearly marked. Traffic management and key event staff will be onsite assisting with your arrival and efficient loading onto the buses.
– Please arrive on time.
– 32km entrants need to be at the top of the Bruce Road pre 6.40am to enable smooth boarding.
– 21kmWave One need to be at the top of the Bruce Road pre 8.10am to enable smooth boarding.
– 21km Wave Two need to be at the top of the Bruce Road pre 8.20am to enable smooth boarding.
– Post event, a free shuttle will make regular trips from the Chateau Tongariro finish area, 7 minutes up the Bruce road to Carpark 10 for you to collect your vehicle.
Bus Transport Map for 2020 coming soon…
Event Parking for the 10km and 6km Events.
Due to the large size of this event, and the popular nature of Whakapapa Village during the summer months we highly recommend carpooling to this event. As there are time limits on most parking in and around the Whakapapa Village which need to be respected for the benefit of all park users, the event has organised a limited amount of special event parking outside of these time restricted areas for event day only. As you drive up the Bruce Road towards the Chateau Tongariro on the morning of the event please drive slowly and follow all relevant special event parking signage, and directions from our event crew and traffic management specialists. The special event parking areas will be on both sides of Bruce Road beneath the Tussock Tavern until that section is full.
Saturday Night Dinner and Prizegiving 2020
Prizegiving will take place on the lawn outside The Chateau (if fine) from 4.30pm – 5.30pm at or at the Tongariro Room inside The Chateau Tongariro, (if wet) on Saturday 25 January, 2020
The prizegiving will be followed by a Event Celebration Meal (BBQ style buffet dinner and dessert) at the Tussock Tavern (for those that have pre purchased). The Tussock Tavern is approx 100m further down Bruce Road from the Chateau Tongariro. Adults tickets are $40.00, with tickets for those under 12 years of age set at $20.00.
A first dinner sitting will be served at 5.45pm (15 minutes after the conclusion of the prizegiving).
A second dinner sitting will be served at 7.15pm.
Those who have purchased tickets online can choose their preferred dinner sitting times at pre race registration and sitting times will be handed to entrants on a first come, first served basis.
All entrants please note: The Tussock Tavern is reserved as a private function venue for those who have purchased dinner tickets. Due to the limited capacity of the venue if you have a 7.15pm dinner sitting ticket you will not be able to enter the Tussock Tavern venue until after 7.00pm and entry will be dependent on space being available at the time. We appreciate your assistance in ensuring everyone who has ordered a 5.45pm dinner ticket has the time and space to enjoy their meal. If you do not have a dinner ticket, there are other dinner venues inside Whakapapa Village to explore.
