Be prepared to be impressed.

Starting and finishing at Keith Sands Grove, Havelock North, MCL Construction TRIPLE PEAKS is an event for your bucket list!

Traversing Mt Erin, Mt Kahuranaki and the iconic Te Mata Peak, the course will cross private land, and take in some incredible breathtaking Hawke's Bay scenery. The course is rugged, testing and very rewarding. Enjoy beautiful ancient woodland, craggy ridge top views, scenic farmland, fun single track, gravel road and a few hearty crossings of the Tukituki River.

Solo Triple Peaks Competitors - 55 kms approx. 

Solo Triple Peaks competitors will complete the entire course. Please see below for details of the course. You can run, walk, MTB or E-MTB or enter the duathlon option. Duathlon competitors will run Mt Erin, mountain bike Mt Kahuranaki and run Te Mata Peak.

It is a considerable distance to cover three peaks 55 kms in one day and you MUST move swiftly in order to complete the full course, before the cut-off time. If you are uncertain you can complete 55 kms in under 10 hours, we highly recommend you try the Two Peak Tiki Tour option.

Two Peak Tiki Tour - 35 kms approx.

Two Peak Tiki Tour entrants will traverse Mt Erin and Te Mata Peak only, crossing the Tukituki River twice. Over mostly private land, finishing at Keith Sands Grove, Havelock North.

You can choose to walk, run, MTB or E-MTB this course (no teams).

One Peak Explorer - 20 kms approx.

Each year competitors have the option to complete one of the three peaks. The course rotates across the three peaks each year, and this years peak is Te Mata. So if going solo for 55 kms doesn't spin your wheels, or you can't find a few buddies to do a relay team with you, this is a great solution! Low-key and non-competitive. You can still explore private land, and be part of the buzz of the event! You can choose to run/walk, MTB or E-MTB.

See the below description for Leg 3 for details of your course.

You must organise your own transport to the Rochfort Road, Kahuranaki, Start/Transition area. You will end at the Finish Line/event village in Keith Sands Grove, Havelock North. 

Limited free van transport will be provided for those unable to get to the start.

You will also need to collect your timing transponder from registration on Friday night.

Relay Teams

Choose from run, walk, MTB, E-MTB. Open category, including schools.

The Course Legs and Maps

LEG 1 - MT ERIN (distance 15 kms approx. - total elevation gain 597m)

Participants on Leg 1 will depart Keith Sands Grove en masse, and be guided through the streets of Havelock North until reaching the hills. Then it's all go! Competitors will pass through private farmland, and then enjoy a steady climb to the top of Mt Erin (489 m) (steep pinch near the top!), and then a fast, fun descent down and crossing the Tukituki River to the Transition at Rochfort Road.

VIEW LEG 1 HERE INC ELEVATION PROFILE

LEG 2 - MT KAHURANAKI (distance 20 kms approx. - total elevation gain 847m)

Participants on Leg 2 will gently climb up from the Rochfort Road Transition (at 37m above sea level), across farmland (thus avoiding the tar sealed section). This is 5 kms of gentle ascent to 164m above sea level. Upon reaching the access road to Mt Kahuranaki, participants will travel up a further 5 kms to the 646m trig via the gravel farm track to the summit, where they will then enjoy a fun, fast descent back, around the south side (on a different route to the uphill track) back down to the Transition.

VIEW LEG 2 HERE INC ELEVATION PROFILE

LEG 3 - TE MATA PEAK (distance 20 kms approx. - total elevation gain 579m)

Participants on Leg 3 will cross the Tukituki River, and then traverse beautiful farmland on the western side of the Tukituki. Upon reaching the base of Te Mata Peak, competitors will ascend to the 399m trig along beautiful single track, past the Giant Redwoods and Karaka Grove, and then weave their way back down to the Start/Finish through Hikanui Reserve, Tainui Reserve ending in Keith Sands Grove, enjoying impressive views, beautiful native forest and fun trails along the way.

VIEW LEG 3 HERE INC ELEVATION PROFILE

What happens if the river is too high to cross?

In case of extreme weather, which may make the river crossing unsafe, an alternative course will be published closer to the event.

Cut-off Time

There will be three cutoff times. Two being at Transition (before the start of Leg 2 and Leg 3). Leg 2 cutoff will be 3 hours (10.30am) and Leg 3 cutoff will be 7 hours (2.30pm). The final (Finish Line) cutoff will be 10 hours. If a competitor does not reach the area's by these times, they will be transported to the finish line (if you are a solo competitor who has entered 3 peaks, your time will be moved in to either the 1 or 2 peak categories accordingly).

Transition Points

Competitors in a relay team who are doing Leg 2 and/or Leg 3 must make their own way to the Transition at Rochfort Road, off Kahuranaki Road. This will be easily accessible by car, and plenty of parking will be available. No buses will be provided. The distance from Keith Sands Grove is 21 km and takes 25 minutes to drive. Map and description to Transition click HERE.

(Note that the Transition will be in different locations if we are forced to go with the Plan B route if the river is too high to cross)

Duathlon Competitors

Please note that duathlon competitors will begin the event running up and down Mt Erin. They will then pick up their mountain bike at Transition at Rochfort Road (click HERE for direction). It is essential that your support person drops off the bike at Transition. Organisers will not be responsible for delivering your bike to Transition. If you do not have a support person, please contact the organisers for assistance. Following the bike leg up Mt Kahuranaki, competitors will then transition to running, and run the final leg up Te Mata Peak. Your support person will need to take your bike away, to meet you at the finish.

Bag Drop

You must use the identifying tag from your race number and attach it to your bag so we can identify it.

For Triple Peaks and Two Peaks Tiki Tour competitors, we will have a bag drop area at the start line for you to put aside bags of gear that you wish to be taken to Transition at Rochfort Road, Kahuranaki. This is where you will need to put any food, drink you wish to have at the transition aid station. Supporters are allowed at the aid stations.

Directional Signage 

Large red arrows will be strategically placed around the course to ensure you do not get lost. The directional signage will be clear and easy to navigate. 

Event Preparation 

MCL Construction TRIPLE PEAKS is a challenging event that should not be underestimated. The hills are steep and some of the terrain is technical. You WILL be challenged!  

For those mountain biking, please be prepared to carry your bike on a few short sections. There may be gates and fences to climb over. And you will need to dismount your bike for the river crossing, and be prepared to get wet! 

Whilst the terrain is picturesque, it is also exposed in places. You could experience strong winds, rain or blistering sunshine. We encourage competitors to be well prepared with suitable clothing, food and water. You may consider taking a hat, sunblock, electrolytes and your mobile phone (in a sealed bag). 

For more details on TRAINING for both the solo and team categories, please CLICK HERE

Training and Land Access  

Whilst it is essential to undertake plenty of training prior to the event, it is very important that you do NOT attempt to access the private land that will be used for much of the course. This is very important. If competitors are found to be accessing private land in advance of the event, the individual involved (and their team) will be disqualified. 

We are very grateful to the landowners for entrusting us with accessing their land. Please treat it with respect. 

Aid Stations 

Whilst we do encourage you to bring your own water and food, Aid Stations will be provided in strategic locations. There will be an Aid Station at Transition, at Rochfort Road, Kahuranaki (HERE).  It will be well stocked with water and bananas/lollies. At the top of the 3 summits, you will also find water and bananas. Please bring sufficient water for yourself and treat our supplies as backup.

The Salvation Army are kindly assisting us with water supplies, with a 1200 litre trailer at transition, and a water truck at the top of Te Mata Peak. Marshalls will man water stations at the top of Mt Erin and Mt Kahuranaki. Please fill up a water bottle/bladder directly. No cups provided – better for the environment!

Medical Attention 

If you require medical attention, please talk to the nearest marshal, who will refer to you the event director and medic. All medical situations should be channelled through the Event Director only. A medic will be available on each of the 3 peaks, as well as a medic team at the Finish Line and Transition. If you are competing and see someone who is injured, please be considerate, and stop to assist. As the course is not always easily accessible, part of the safety plan is that we look after each other. 

Roads are Open 

Please note that, whilst you will spend a very short time on public roads, the roads will still be open to traffic (apart from the top of Te Mata Peak). You MUST obey the road rules and you MUST obey directions given to you by marshals. Any issues will result in disqualification.  

Race Regulations

Please READ the Race Regulations.
It contains vital advice and information that is relevant to ALL competitors.

Extreme Weather

In the unlikely event of Force Majeure or extreme weather conditions, the event may be cancelled at any time. We will communicate this to all participants via email, the website and Facebook. In this situation entry fees are non-refundable. Best endeavours will be made to re-schedule the event. If the event is re-scheduled and you are unable to attend on the new date, your entry fee will not be reimbursed.

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