Race Tekapo 50K Ultra

The 50K Trail Run starts on the Village Green in Lake Tekapo. You will head out over the footbridge and past the Church of The Good Shepherd (stay on the paths on the lake side of the church). Once you continue along the paths towards the Regional Park (forest) you will get to Lilybank Rd. You will cross here and head into the Regional Park - taking the trails next to the highway until you reach the gateway into Sawdon Station.

You will do the Lagoon Loop across the station - running in a clockwise direction. Once you get back to the gate you will head back into the Regional Park turning right. The course is heavily signposted during the race - leading you through the forest on a variety of trails. You will eventually pop out onto Lilybank Rd. You will carefully cross here and head through a reserve-type area, taking you to the lakes edge. Take the path back to the Village Green.

Once you are back at the Village Green you will continue along the path network all the way to Tekapo Springs. The paths are on the lake side of the road as you head towards the springs. Once you get to the entrance of the Tekapo Springs car park you will cross the road (carefully - watch for vehicles). There is a sign directing your way up the hill to the Mt John trail. Take this gravel road up past the pools and head into the forest.

Continue the ascent of Mt John all the way through the trees - eventually you will pop out into the open tussocks/farmland. You will head up towards the summit. It is steep and there will be a lot of walking! As you near the summit you will come across a sign - take the path to the right and head up to the rocky outcrop at the summit of Mt John. Take in the incredible views here - it's worth a photo (or two!).

You will then head along the path that runs below the observatory and cafe, continuing all the way along the top of Mt John. Enjoy view across Lake Tekapo as well as Lake Alexandrina (to the left). You will head over a fence (stile) and continue down the farmland. Eventually you get to a point near the Hitching Post - the Hitching Post will be on your right but you will actually turn left here and make your way along the farm 4wd track to the sealed Mt John Access Rd. Turn right when you get to the seal and head down to the toll booth. Watch for traffic. At the toll booth turn right and run along Godley Peaks Rd for about 2km. Watch for traffic - especially holiday-makers/tourists.

You will come across the Peninsula Walkway entrance on your right. Take this walkway around the farmland - more great views! The course then heads through a fence and across the dry lake-bed towards Lake McGregor. Carefully cross the road and head along the access road to Lake McGregor and the Lake Alexandrina outlet.

Once you reach Lake Alexandrina you take the trail beside the lake for around 5km until you reach the huts at the end of the lake. Turn up the sealed road here and head back towards Mt John. You will reach Godley Peaks Rd where you will run down for around 100m - cross carefully here and head back up Mt John until you reach the 4wd track you came from. Turn left onto Mt John until you reach the Hitching Post.

At this point you will follow the trails all the way down the mountain, and the paths all the way back to the Village Green in Lake Tekapo.