The Course

Every event in the Anaconda Adventure Race International Series is held at a truly spectacular location, with spell binding wilderness, action adventure and a true sense of journey at its very heart – and this new race at Waihi in New Zealand is no different.

Competitors will find themselves running along remote rocky coastlines, along cliff tops and down hidden beaches surrounded by wilderness; mountain biking along rolling single track and quaint country roads; paddling on scenic inland waterways flanked by forest and swimming in one of the most picturesque bays imaginable. Base the event at a progressive little township and you have adventure racing at its very best.

You can GO THE DISTANCE

1.6km Inlet Swim

The swim leg starts and finishes in the extremely scenic and sheltered Anzac Bay, at the south-eastern end of Bowentown Heads. The swim will be a two lap loop course around set buoys in the Bay and will be great way to kick start the Anaconda experience! While we’ve seen some Orcas in this harbour, we’re pretty sure they’ll stay away on race day!

14km Inlet / Ocean Paddle

The kayak follows the swim leg, and will also start from Anzac Bay. There are two options;

1. The “perfect day” option – this will see paddlers heading out of Anzac Bay turning left to exit the Tauranga Harbour, whilst sticking close to the Bowentown Heads, then paddling in a north-west direction in the open water along Waihi Beach – good times!
2. The “not quite so perfect day” option – paddlers will stay in the sheltered waters of the northern Tauranga Harbour where you’ll be required to navigate around Blakeny’s Channel past Tanners Point, before transitioning to the run opposite Athenree.

local knowledge tips for the paddle:

"Kayak- Great paddling in the harbour, watch out for sandbanks and shallow water at low tide and it can be a bit gnarly between Matakana Island and Anzac Bay when the tide current is in full swing. If the course is out into the open sea getting around the headland is normally ok if the surf is not roaring, just tuck in to the land but watch for sub surface rocks at low tide. If the surf is running just take a breath and power out behind the breakers. Awesome paddle down and around to Orokawa Beach but don't get too close to the rocks and cliffs at the Northern end, the surf backwash can be fun but it will slow you down, better to stay out a bit." - Garry Towler

13km Coastal / Trail Run

This leg is a cracker and has got everything you could possibly want from an off-road / trail run. Pending the weather and paddle leg on race day the run leg will either start from opposite Athenree and then include a 3 – 4km run along beautiful Waihi Beach, or will start from the Northern end of Waihi Beach already. From here on its some of the most scenic coastal trails and tracks in existence. The run leg carves its way north along the coast on undulating single track, under the pohutukawa canopy at Orokawa Bay as far as Homunga Bay, before climbing west to the MTB transition at Ngatitangata Rd. Awesome.

Local knowledge - tips for the run!

"One of the better short enduro runs in NZ. It has everything and is by no means fast. Steep pinchy climbs, technical drops, places you can only walk, butt clinching passes around cliff edges and awesome scenery. What ever you do save a good proportion of your energy for the last 30/40 minutes, it's a tough climb up to the transition. ( for those who have done the 'Goat' it is like Mommas Mile at the end, and the Tussock Challenge, it's like the first 1.5km)" - Garry Towler

26km Mountain Bike

This one’s got it all, starting with a fast sealed road section for a few kms, you’ll then head into some private farmland and climb towards Waihi’s gold mine tailings area. The mine section is ordinarily inaccessible, so enjoy being somewhere you can’t be every day! MTBers will circumnavigate the tailings area, before heading into some quality single track around Winner and Black hills. The transition to the final run leg will be under the shadow of Waihi’s famous historic Cornish Pumphouse.

2km Team Run

The Anaconda Adventure Races are famous for the final run leg. If you’re having a crack at the whole course solo, then you’re on your own for this bit, but if you’re part of a team then this is where you and your team mates come together to complete a lap inside the unbelievable Martha gold Mine before finishing together under the Cornish Pumphouse. Completing this final leg as a team and you all cross the finish lien together – mission complete.

Click here to download a high resolution version of this course map.

GO THE DISTANCE

To complete the Anaconda Adventure Race in a team or as an individual is to get the best out of life. Its about setting yourself a challenge and then fulfilling a goal. You’ll see people riding bikes who never should be, swimmers who’ll nearly drown and paddlers who spend more time up-side-down than right-way-up, but all in all there is something about doing the Anaconda that puts a smile on everyone’s faces. Maybe it’s the adventures with friends, the spectacular wilderness, the inclusive atmosphere or the satisfaction of the finish but give it a crack and you’ll never forget it.

Anyone can do it

Choose your style and get involved - the Anaconda Adventure Race can be completed in a range of categories to get anyone and everyone to onto the start then over the finish line:

• Individuals – do every leg as a non-stop race around the track. Designed for heros and want-to-bes

• Pairs – do every leg but in the company of your mate who’s by your side the whole way round

• Relay teams – with up to 4 people where you do one (or more) legs each. A great way to get involved without being a super hero – build up a team of friends and work colleagues and join all the fun