PARTICIPANT INFO
RACE HANDBOOK
[Note: 2025 handbook will be uploaded closer to the event]
MANDATORY KIT
There will be a mandatory kit check prior to the race. If you do not attend the kit check you will be unable to start the race.
Kit check and registration for all three events can be done at Further Faster, 57A Buchan Street, Sydenham Christchurch on Thursday 11 December between midday to 6.00pm or at Castle Hill Village Community Hall from 3.00pm to 7.00pm Friday 12 December.
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Whole Hog competitors must have their gear checked and complete registration before race day.
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Piglet and Teacup competitors can complete registration and gear check on race day at the Event Village Castle Hill from 6:15am to 7:45am
WHOLE HOG
1 x Thermal long sleeve top
1 x Thermal pants (non-compression)
1 x Thermal hat/Buff
1 x Thermal gloves*
1 x Seam sealed waterproof jacket with a hood
1 x Seam sealed waterproof long pants*
1 x Emergency thermal bag
1 x Race number to be worn at all times during event (supplied)
1 x Water container (bladder or bottles) with minimum capacity of 2L of water at commencement of race
2 x Sources of nutrition (e.g. Tailwind Nutrition, bars, lollies)
1 x Whistle
PIGLET
1 x Thermal long sleeve top
1 x Thermal hat/Buff
1 x Thermal gloves*
1 x Seam sealed waterproof jacket with a hood
1 x Emergency thermal bag
1 x Race number to be worn at all times during event (supplied)
1 x Water container (bladder or bottles) with minimum capacity of 1L of water at commencement of race
1 x Whistle
TEACUP
1 x Thermal long sleeve top*
1 x Race bib to be worn at all times during event (supplied)
1 x Waterproof Jacket
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RACE TIMES
WHOLE HOG
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Thu 11 Dec, 12 noon to 6.00pm Kit Check and Registration
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Fri 12 Dec, 3pm-7pm: Registration - Castle Hill Village Community Hall
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Fri 12 Dec, 7pm: Safety & Race Briefing - Castle Hill Village Community Hall
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Sat 13 Dec, 6am: Race Start
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Sat 13 Dec, 12:30pm: Prizegiving
PIGLET
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Thu 11 Dec, 12 noon to 6.00pm Kit Check and Registration
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Fri 12 Dec, 3pm-7pm: Kit Check and Registration (at Castle Hill)
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Sat 13 Dec, 6.15am-7.45am: Kit Check and Registration
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Sat 13 Dec, 7.50am: Race Briefing
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Sat 13 Dec, 8am: Race Start
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Sat 13 Dec, 12:30pm: Prizegiving
TEACUP
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Thu 11 Dec, 12 noon to 6.00pm Kit Check and Registration
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Fri 12 Dec, 3pm-7pm: Registration (at Castle Hill)
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Sat 13 Dec, 6.15am-9.20am: Registration
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Sat 13 Dec, 9.20am: Race Briefing
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Sat 13 Dec, 9.30am: Race Start
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Sat 13 Dec, 12:30pm: Prizegiving
AID STATIONS
Aid stations will have water, Tailwind Endurance Fuel (Mandarin Orange - non caffeinated) and a selection of high-energy nutrition. Some aid stations will have on site medical assistance available or be close to an aid station which does. Pre-race information sent 1 week prior to the event will specify which aid stations will have medical assistance on site.
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Should you wish to withdraw from the race at any point, please make your way to the closest aid station and advise staff of your withdrawal. They will then facilitate your withdrawal and your return to the race village.
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Whole Hog
5.2km, 14.8km, 20.2km, 32km, 36.3km, 41.3km
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The Piglet
5.5km, 14km, 20km
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The Teacup
5.5km
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​Aid Stations will be confirmed 1 week prior to the race with exact km points and nutrition provided.
CUT-OFF TIMES
Location | Distance (km) | Cut-off Time |
|---|---|---|
Aid Station 1 (St Andrews Lodge) | 5.2 | n/a |
Aid Station 2 (Texas Flat) | 14.8 | n/a |
Aid Station 3 (Cheesman Ski Field) | 19.7 | 11:00 (5 hours) |
Aid Station 4 (Cheesman Bridge) | 32 | 14:00 (8 hours) |
Aid Station 5 (Trelisik Loop / Leith Hill Track) | 36.3 | 15:00 (9 hours) |
Aid Station 6 (St Andrews Lodge) | 49.5 | 16:00 (10 hours) |
Cut-off times are implemented for your safety and for that of our team. These are non-negotiable and will be enforced. Final cut-off times will be confirmed at registration and will reflect race day conditions. We will assist you back to the race village if you miss a cut-off. There are no cut-off times for the Piglet or Teacup races.
Note: Teacup gets aid station 1
Piglet gets aid station 1,2 and 4
ACCOMMODATION
Camping is available in Castle Hill Village solely for this event. If you would like to book a campsite, you can do so when you register. If you have already registered and need to book a campsite then please email us. Camping is fully self-sufficient with no water or electricity, however there will be toilets on site.
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There are limited spaces available at St Andrews Lodge. The cost is $45 per night per person. This can be booked when you enter.
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You can also book accommodation in Castle Hill Village yourself, check out the Castle Hill Village website, Airbnb or Bookabach. There is also space available at Porters Lodge, get in touch with them here.
CONDITIONS
The Whole Hog is a gnarly course. This shouldn't be your first ultra experience. If you are new to ultra running then we suggest you take on the shorter course - The Piglet on your first time for the Valley Ultra - trust us when we say that course is still epic!
You must be fit and well when you undertake any of the Valley Ultra courses. We will have medical assistance on site but you must be starting the race in good condition.
We understand that injuries happen and we will happily change your distance if needed. Please do not undertake these courses if you aren't 100% sure you are ready for them. The last thing we want is to be sending in the helicopter to pick you up. A heli ride is cool but not if you have a medical team around you!
Your safety is our focus and if our medics or staff make the determination that you are not fit to start or continue on the course then we will remove you. We aren't being mean - we just want you back home safe at the end of the race. No race is worth putting yourself or others in danger for. Please follow the directions of the marshals and medics at all times.
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You must be over the age of 18 to take part in the Whole Hog or the Piglet. Persons between the ages of 15-16 can take part in the Teacup when accompanied by an adult for the duration of the race. Persons over the age of 16 may compete in the Teacup without an accompanying adult. An additional waiver will need to be signed at kit check for any persons under the age of 18 and must be signed by a parent or legal guardian.
SUPPORTERS
Supporters are welcome at the event, in fact, we encourage you to bring your entourage. The main race village will have food and drinks available to purchase.
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No pacers or external support is allow allowed for participants on the course but supporters are actively encouraged. Any assistance will result in the participant being disqualified from the event.
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PRIZES
Prizegiving - 12:30pm
WHOLE HOG
1st Male & Female
$500 cash
Bottle of prosecco
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2nd Male & Female
SCARPA Running New Zealand products
Bottle of prosecco
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3rd Male & Female
Thermatech products
Bottle of prosecco
PIGLET
1st Male & Female
$250 cash
Bottle of prosecco
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2nd Male & Female
SCARPA Running New Zealand products
Bottle of prosecco
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3rd Male & Female
Thermatech products
Bottle of prosecco
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TEACUP
1st Male & Female
SCARPA Running New Zealand products
Bottle of prosecco
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2nd Male & Female
Thermatech products
Bottle of prosecco
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3rd Male & Female
Thermatech products
Bottle of prosecco
