Race Information

Owing to the environmental and safety considerations, the field is limited to 400 competitors. Ultimate Event Productions reserves the right of acceptance, places will be allocated from eligible entries in the order received online. If requested on the entry, unsuccessful entrants will be placed on a waiting list – also in the order received.

The Department of Conservation requests that runners DO NOT use the track prior to the Arc'teryx Routeburn Classic. The reason being this is the time for walkers to enjoy the environment in their way. DOC has granted us all the privilege of enjoying the track as we prefer with swifter foot work. Please respect this request as it impacts not only the walkers but your fellow runners as we may not be allowed to continue to have our day of glory in adventure running paradise.

Registration

During the entry process, you will be asked to select which location you would like to register (collect your race number). If you need to update this please contact us before 5pm on Wednesday 9th April.

Outside Sports Te Anau – 38 Town Centre, Te Anau. Friday 11th April, between 2-6:30pm

OR

Outside Sports Queenstown – 9 Shotover Street, Queenstown. Friday 11th April, between 1-6:30pm

Athlete Newsletters

12 August - Accommodation Offer

29 November - Transport Bookings Open

18 March - 24 Days To Go!

Race Briefing

There will be one race briefing. It is compulsory to be at this race briefing. Those not attending race briefing will forfeit their place in the event. The briefing is at 8.15am on the Start Line, Race Start is 8:30am.

Prize Giving

Location: Altitude Brewing, 827 Frankton Road

Time: Prizegiving will be at 7.00pm

We highly recommend getting there early and grabbing a bite to eat from one of their food trucks on site, as well as sampling a beer or two!

Finish Line Gear

Finish line gear bag

Gear that you want at the finish line is to be dropped off when you register on the Friday. Athletes are to provide their own bag (please keep as small as possible) and you will be supplied bag tag with your race number on it. Some suggestions for what to include are;  warm clothes (jersey, track pants, socks), micro-fibre towel, change of shoes.

Start line gear / over night gear in Te Anau

Gear given to us at the start of the Classic at ‘The Divide’ to transport over will NOT BE taken to the finish line. This gear will be driven over on the day and will be available for pickup at the Station Building, Duke Street, Queenstown. Click here for google maps location.

Compulsory gear: Please double check your compulsory gear list.  Gear will be checked at Registration.

• 1 x Full-length thermal base layer pants*
• 1 x Long sleeve thermal base layer top*
• 1 x Long sleeve mid-layer top (fleece, merino)
• Warm hat 
• Warm gloves
• Waterproof seam-sealed jacket with hood
• Survival bag (not blanket)
• Whistle
• Food

*These items are in addition to what is being worn by the competitor when starting the event.

There will also be random gear checks at Mackenzie Hut on the track. Those without the appropriate gear will not race or when caught at Mackenzie Hut will not proceed into the alpine environment, and remain with the marshall team.

GEAR NOTE: Ponchos do not meet the standard required.

Finish Line - Spectator parking

The finish line is located at Routeburn Shelter. There is no spectator/supporter parking here. Please park at Routeburn Station (entrance will be signposted) and there will be a free shuttle running between the car parking and Shelter/finish line. It is a 5min shuttle. Click here for a pin drop to the parking paddock, please follow signage on site.

Waiting List

If you are on the waiting list, it is assumed that you are training for and awaiting a spot in the field like those already on the starters list for the event. The nature of the waiting list is that it doesn't typically move until close to the event date. You join the waiting list with the hope, expectation, and preparation for participating in the event. If you are offered a spot on the start line you will be emailed with instructions on how you can enter and you will be given 5 days to enter and pay.  The 2025 wait list can be viewed here.  2025 Wait list applications have now closed.

Mackenzie Hut Cut Off Time

The Routeburn Classic is a running event. The track is a technical and challenging course. Appropriate training is a requirement for athletes.

YOU MUST REACH Mackenzie Hut (12km mostly up hill) BEFORE THE 11AM CUT OFF TIME (approx 2 and a half hours from the start). Those who do not meet this cut of time will return to the start either with the marshals or in their own time. The marshalls will assist with rides back to Queenstown.



Course Description

Divide to Lake Mackenzie – 12km

The race starts 500 meters before the Divide, which helps spread out the field before reaching the single track of the Divide. From there, you ascend a well-graded track to the turnoff for Howden Hut. Afterwards, you descend to Lake Howden Hut to replenish your water supplies before gradually climbing through the lush silver beech forest towards the base of Earland Falls. From this point, you can enjoy panoramic views over the Hollyford Valley to the ice-capped Darran Mountains. Finally, you'll descend to the lodge at Lake Mackenzie, where another drink station is located, and a compulsory gear check takes place.

Please note that all athletes must pass through Mackenzie Hut by 11 am or return to the starting point with the marshals.

Lake Mackenzie to Routeburn Falls – 11km

You'll leave the ancient forest draped in moss and lichen, entering the alpine world of daisies, buttercups, gentians, and edelweiss. From here, you'll enjoy a panoramic view of the Darran Mountains across the Hollyford Valley, slicing through Fiordland until it reaches the distant Tasman Sea at Martins Bay. After reaching the Harris Saddle (1302m), you'll run around Lake Harris, getting closer to the towering mountains above the upper basins of the Routeburn River as you descend toward the Routeburn Falls hut.

Routeburn Falls to Routeburn Shelter and Finish Line – 9km

Take in the dramatic landscape around the Falls before descending to the alpine pastures of the Routeburn Flats. The track follows the river as it roars through a magnificent gorge, eventually plunging beneath the unyielding rocks at the Sump. From there, it's a gentle run through columns of red beech trees to a large swing bridge. Just 200 meters further, you'll reach the Routeburn Shelter at the road end, where the finish line awaits.

Course Map

Plan B Course

The most likely weather situation to impede runners completing the Plan A Routeburn Course is snow or inclement conditions on the Hollyford Faces, in this situation it would be unsafe for runners to run this section.  Plan B for the Routeburn Classic consists of an Out-and-Back course starting from the Routeburn Carpark (Routeburn Shelter).

Course

Competitors will depart from Routeburn Shelter Carpark and run to Lake Harris before turning around and returning the same direction.  The course turnaround point will be dependent on the weather conditions. A minimum of 20 kilometres will be offered.

Decision Time

Competitors will be made aware of the potential for a Plan B course early in the week of the event.  A final decision will be made by 10.30am on the day prior to the event date (Friday) competitors will be notified by email and social media alert.

Transport

Buses will depart from the Station Building in Queenstown at 0600 on the Saturday morning.  Transport back to Queenstown via bus will be as in the Plan A situation.

If you have booked bus transport from Queenstown to Te Anau on the Friday afternoon, this service will no longer operate and all bookings will be refunded in full.

Heli Transfers

Heli transfers will be dependent on the weather, Heli transfers will still be available from Queenstown to Routeburn Station on the morning of the event if weather permits.

Accommodation

In the situation where a decision is made on the Friday to resort to Plan B competitors will be required to find their own accommodation in Queenstown the night before the event, if staying in Te Anau it will require an early departure to make the start line on time.