Aotearoa Ultra Marathon
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Aotearoa Ultra Marathon - 9 January 2027
The Aotearoa Ultra Marathon is a set of trail events on Banks Peninsula and finishing at Halswell Quarry in Christchurch. The races use a mix of roads and tracks around Little River, Port Levy, Pigeon Bay and Mt Herbert, passing sections of the Summit Road, Kennedy's Bush Track and Kennedy's Bush Road. The route crosses coastal and volcanic countryside with views of Akaroa and Lyttleton Harbours.
Event distances and formats:
- 101 km - 4055 m elevation, Little River to Halswell Quarry, solo or team.
- 53 km - 2278 m elevation, Pigeon Bay to Halswell Quarry, solo or team.
- 15 km - 484 m elevation, Gebbies Pass to Halswell Quarry, solo.
The 101 km course starts at Little River Domain and follows Western Valley Road to Port Levy, then on to Pigeon Bay. It includes an out-and-back to the Summit Road via Middle Road, returns through Pigeon Bay and Port Levy, and proceeds over Mt Herbert before descending along the Summit Road and Kennedy's Bush routes to Halswell Quarry. Team entries for longer distances include designated change-over points at Pigeon Bay and Port Levy Spur Car Park. The description notes significant elevation gain and varied terrain along the peninsula. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
