RACE INFORMATION

RACE DATE

Saturday, 20th March 2027

RACE DATE

ENTRIES

Entries will open at 7PM on 1st September 2026.

The field size for 2027 is 200.

We recommend creating a profile on the registration platform prior to entries opening to speed up the process. You can do so on the Barefoot Sports Timing page here.

ENTRY FEE

The cost to enter the 2027 Paparoa Ultra is $415 NZD.

Afterpay payments will be available when entering.

This includes:

Bus transport from Punakaiki to Smoke Ho carpark (race start)
Hop-on-hop-off style shuttle transport from Waikori Road (race finish) to Punakaiki
Race pack with goodies from sponsors
Aid station supplies: water, electrolyte refills, and nutritional snacks
Transponder use & timed results
Personalised race bib (if entered before 28th February)
Medical support
Finishers medal/token
Eligibility for prizes (podium, category winners, spot prizes)
Post race experience - free live music after prizegiving
Exclusive offers from our event partners

*Note there is a $1 + 6% non-refundable credit card fee when registering via Barefoortsport.

ELIGIBILITY

Paparoa Ultra is for experienced runners only.

The track is a technical, challenging and rugged backcountry course.

Anyone entering this race MUST be entirely capable of running the full distance, self-sufficiently, with minimum aid available on the track, within the cut-off times, unless due to unforeseen circumstances.

REGISTRATION, GEAR CHECK & EVENT BRIEFING

All entries are required to register at the Barrytown Settlers Hall, on Friday 19th March.

Due to the increase in participant numbers, combined with Barrytown Hall's capacity, we have split registration day into 2 blocks. When entering, you'll be asked which block you wish to register in.

It's important to stick with your choice and inform us prior if you need to swap.

Block 1:

Registration 11 AM - 2 PM
Pre-race safety briefing 3 PM

Block 2:

Registration 4 PM - 6 PM
Pre-race safety briefing 6.30 PM

Runners will be handed their race pack, number and transponder.

A compulsory gear check will be carried out during registration.

Not attending the race briefing will mean forfeiting your place in the event.

COMPULSORY GEAR

Compulsory gear is checked at registration and random checks will be performed at Ces Clark aid station.

If you are found to not have the appropriate gear then you will not start the race, or you won't be allowed to continue past Ces Clark aid station and you will need to return back to Smoke Ho carpark with the marshals.

Compulsory gear list:

1 x drinking vessel - for water refills & electrolyte drinks at aid stations (must start race with a full vessel of water)
**enough nutritional snacks to get you through the event self-sufficiently. DO NOT rely on the aid-stations entirely**
x 2 thermal long-sleeve tops
x 1 thermal long pants
x 1 seam-sealed waterproof jacket with hood
x 1 seam-sealed waterproof long pants
x 1 thermal hat
x 1 pair of gloves
x 1 head torch (fully charged or with spare batteries)
x 1 survival blanket/bag
x 1 basic first aid kit (band aids, antisceptic wipes etc. Exact contents are at your own discretion)
x 1 transponder (given at registration)
x 1 race number (to be worn on the front of body at all times - given at registration)

RACE TIME & LOCATION

Race starts at 7 AM from Smoke Ho carpark (the Southern end of the Paparoa Track) on Saturday, 20th March 2027.
There will be rolling wave starts. There is no need to pre-select which wave you want to be in, this will be done on the morning by lining up in pace order based on your estimated finish time. Wave starts are to manage the congestion at the first bridge. This will be explained in the pre-race briefing.

SHUTTLES & PARKING - START (Smoke-Ho)

You must register your spot on the bus either during the entry process or via email no later than 1st March 2027.
Buses will be departing at the bus stops outside the Pancake Rocks Cafe area, at 5 AM on race day.
The Pancake Rocks Cafe are specifically opening for you to get your coffee fix before the bus. From 4:15am-5am.
Alternative pick up options enroute to the race start, are: Barrytown, Wingham Park, Blackball.
Competitors or their friends/family will not be allowed to park at Smoke Ho carpark, as parking is for daily track users only.

SHUTTLES & PARKING - FINISH (Waikori)

Waikori Road carpark has very limited car parking, which we need to remain available for other daily track users (hikers/bikers).
It is advised to leave your vehicle at your accommodation or at the paid-parking in Punakaiki for the day and make use of the free shuttle service.
We will have a free hop-on-hop-off style shuttle provided by Paparoa Track Shuttles, which will operate back and forth between 10:30 AM - 6 PM going between Punakaiki Beach Camp and Waikori Road car park every 20-30 minutes, also briefly stopping at the bus stops at the Pancake Rocks Cafe for those needing to return to their vehicles at the paid parking.

FINISH LINE FUN (Waikori)

The track exits via the Punakaiki Swing Bridge, giving spectators a beautiful place to hang out by the river whilst watching their loved ones approach the finish line.
Spectators are encouraged to use the free shuttle service as much as they like throughout the day. It is important to us and the participants that there are people cheering them on at the finish line.
Kids Fun Run at 12 PM, followed by podium prizes & best dressed award at 2 PM.
Coffee cart, food & beverage vendors, ice cream etc.
Spot prizes from local sponsors awarded throughout the day.

CUT OFF TIMES

Cut-off times keep you safe, the event logistics on track, and the race fair. They’re enforced at each Aid Station, plus at the finish line.

You will not be allowed to continue the race if you miss a cut-off time.

The cut-off times are below, and these have been generously set based on the last person crossing the start line.

10.3km Ces Clark Aid Station, 9:30 AM

20km Moonlight Tops Aid Station, 11:30 AM

39.1km Pororari Aid Station, 2:45 PM

55km Waikori Road Carpark (race finish), 6 PM

Unless due to injury:

If you miss the cut-off time for Ces Clark Hut then you will need to return down to Smoke Ho carpark with the marshals team. Marshals will help assist with transport back to Punakaiki if needed.
If you miss the cut-off time for Moonlight Tops Hut then you will either need to return down to Smoke Ho carpark or exit via the Moonlight Pack Track down to Anderson Flat, with the marshal team.
If you miss the cut-off time for Pororari Hut, you'll continue walking with the marshal team down to the finish line but you will not finish with a time.
If you miss the cut-off time for the finish line, you will not finish with a time.

AID STATIONS

Competitors are required to start the race with their water vessel full. There is no water supply at Smoke-Ho carpark.

There are only 3 aid stations on the track, placed near each hut as listed below.

Ces Clark Hut, 10.3km

Moonlight Tops Hut, 20km

Pororoari, 39.1km

All aid stations will be present with; water refills, electrolytes, lollies, nutritional snacks and a first-aid trained marshall. Exact aid station contents will be released closer to the date.
Toilets are available at each hut. The Pororari Aid Station is at the junction to the hut so to use the toilet is a short detour.
There is a permanent boil water notice at all of the huts so water purification tablets for the water & electrolytes are readily available for your personal use if you wish.
The Emergency Shelter has water and a toilet for emergency use only but shouldn't be relied on as this is not a monitored aid station. However, there will be a Marshal for first aid if assistance is required.

FINISH LINE GEAR

Any gear that you would like at the finish line (warmer clothes etc) is placed into your race pack, clearly labelled with your race number, and taken to the race start line with you.
Timing tags will be provided in your race pack at registration.

PRIZES & PRIZEGIVING

Prizegiving will be held at 7 PM after the race, at the Punakaiki Rocks Garden Bar, followed by live music from local artists.
If you plan on ordering food, ensure to arrive early enough as it will be busy. There will be a reserved outdoor area for Paparoa Ultra competitors.

Prizes:

Podium awards/prizes for 1st 2nd and 3rd female & male overall and in each category.

WAITLIST

A waitlist will be available for if entries sell out.

Join the waitlist via the link at the top - this will appear shortly after entries sell out (within 24 hours).

You will receive an invitation email if/when an entry becomes available. The invitation will be valid for 24 hours only.

WEEKEND DEALS

See a list of the special deals on offer from local businesses and event sponsors on The Community page. Keep an eye on this as it'll be updated as more offers are generously given.