Arrowsmith Thee Races - March 31st 2012

Arrowsmith Marathon 42.2 km Highcountry marathon Lake Face 17 km Trail Run or Walk  Arrowsmith Thee Ride - 42 km MTB Race or Ride

A few Testimonials from 2010-2011 please read (please click) Fastest Female 2011 race report,

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The only MTB/ Marathon race in NZ with a money back guarantee - Baring bad weather if you can honestly say you did not enjoy the scenery we will give you your money back  MAP

RIDE: A 42 km MTB Ride/Race on Mt Arrowsmith Station starting and finishing at the woolshed. Heading up the Cameron River nearly to the source, up and over a saddle into the South Ashburton River then a blast down the river bed over another small saddle and then back across the paddocks to the woolshed.
RUN: A 42.2 km off road Marathon &  Lake Face Trail Run 17 km or Walk

DETAILS
Starting at the woolshed you bike/run along the road for aprox 3.5 km then turn left onto the farm track this starts the biggest climb of the day you will climb approx 720 m in the first 11 kms. If you enter in the MTB Race category you will need to have a good level of fitness to keep up. ( We do recommend you do the Rec ride if you are concerned with fitness you can take all day if you want )(Lake Face runners turn south at the 9km mark  following a fence line to traverse along the face at approx 1150 meters great panoramic views of the lake and surrounding country. You start desending once you are above the Woolshed with approx 2.5 km to go.)Marathon and MTBer's  Once on the ridge line you head up the Cameron Valley make sure you take time to take in the views then over a saddle into the South Ashburton the area at the top of the saddle can be exposed in bad weather so you need to carry Cold weather gear.
The start of the descent into the South Ashburton has a couple of switchback corners where care needs to be taken. At the bottom you Turn Left and head down the riverbed half way down you have to cross a boulder scree some of the top riders will be able to ride it but most Rec riders will have to walk ( Please get through this area without delay this is a active shingle scree and you should be alert to the possibility of falling rocks) head on down the river there is a small climb as the river goes into a gorge you follow along the side of the gorge for while them climb up to the saddle and back across the paddocks to the finish at the woolshed to the smell of the sizzling Westmeats ribeye steaks cooking. The top MTB race riders will take 2.10- 3.30 hrs Recreational riders 4.30-5.30 hrs Marathon Runners 3.15-7.57 hrs.  This course is more suited to a soft tail if you have the choice.

                               Marathon & MTB profile

                                  Lake Face profile 

Registration Saturday the 31st March 7.30 am - 10.30am inside the Mt Arrowsmith Woolshed it is approx .5 km past the Lake Heron Camping Ground.
42 km Marathon Briefing 8.10am outside the woolshed
42km Marathon Race start 8.30 am

Lake Face Trail Run or Walk 17 km  Briefing 9.10 race start 9.30 am

MTB Race Briefing 10.15 am outside the woolshed
MTB Race start time 10.30 am
42km Recreational Ride Start Time 8.00 am to 9.30 am you will be able to leave when you choose there will be a written briefing you will have to read and sign before you can registrar . No Recreational riders will be allowed to leave after 9.30 am
Finish All riders and runners will get a steak sandwich & refreshment drink. Prize Giving will at 3.00-3.30 pm

All Marathon runners will recieve a finishing Medal 

GENERAL INFORMATION
" For accommodation in Methven go to www.methven.net.nz
" Accommodation is available at the Lake Heron Camping Ground $5.00 per night, it has toilets and fresh water. The Woolshed is available at $8.00 per person per night, if you are wanting to stay please contact Eric or Salley Smith (03) 303 9090.
" Distances - Methven to Lake Heron Camping Ground approx 70km (12km as shingle road).

Directions to Mt Arrowsmith Turn off highway 72 at Mt Somers onto the Ashburton Gorge road follow that all the way to Hakatere turn right onto Hakatere Heron Road it is sign posted to Lake Heron (12km on shingle road) the start will be at the Arrowsmith Woolshed on the shores of Lake Heron.