Tussock Traverse
Tongariro National Park
Saturday 26 January, 2013
The Tussock Traverse offers both keen trail runners and walkers, as well as people new to the excitement of off-road adventures, one of the most scenic and varied courses in New Zealand. The event is proud to
support the ongoing work of Project Tongariro (formerly the Tongariro Natural History Society) and the great work they do conserving this spectacular area. Click here to read more about this fantastic organisation and partner charity for the Tussock Traverse.
The course cuts across the heart of the World Heritage Tongariro National Park, starting off at the Desert Road on the Eastern side of the Park and taking in the Rangipo Desert and Waihohonu traverse track before finishing at the Chateau Tongariro in Whaka
papa to the West. In 2012 we successfully introduced an additional two course distances which meant an increase in the total number of competitors allowed to take part in this spectacular alpine event! These will be back in 2013!
The origional 26km course will remain, with a maximum number of 500 participants; the two newer distances, a shorter 6km run/walk with a maximum of 500 participants and a 13km run/walk with only 200 spots up for grabs.
The 26km run/walk course begins approximately 6kms up the Tukino Road in the Rangipo Desert (entrance off the Desert Road, SH1) with a long hard climb straight up.
The 13km and 6km options will both start and loop back to the event finish line at Chateau Tongariro.
From there it's a mixture of rock hopping, lava fields, desert, alpine track (the views are amazing), and beech forest before finishing beside the Chateau Tongariro in Whakapapa for a rest and BBQ.
Event options include; 26km Run/Walk, 13km Run/Walk, 6km Run/Walk
Check out the official event Tshirts on the entry page here:
