Twizel Hard Labour Weekend
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Meridian Twizel Hard Labour Weekend
The Meridian Twizel Hard Labour Weekend is a multi-event sports weekend in Twizel, Mackenzie Country, featuring a canal kayak race, mountain bike races on the Dusky Trail and an off-road Pyramid run. The event has roots in a 1985 half marathon that began as a fundraiser for kids sport and has developed into three events held across two days. Competitors may enter individual events or complete all three events to be recognised as a Hard Labourer.
The program spans late October and includes youth and adult races, prizegivings at the MOW Bar in Twizel and separate kids and youth event options. Entries for 2026 are open and online registration closes in the week before the event.
Known event distances and formats include:
- 40 km Dusky mountain bike
- 16 km Dusky mountain bike
- 21 km Pyramid walk
Additional formats listed for the weekend include mini Dusky and mini Pyramid races, plus adult and youth canal kayak races at Lake Ruataniwha. The schedule assigns the mountain bike and kayak to one day and the Pyramid run to the following day, with registration and briefings organised in the days leading up to the races. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.