RACE INFORMATION

RACE DATE

Saturday 28th March 2026.

RACE DATE

ENTRIES

Entries will open on Wednesday 15th October 2025, 7PM NZT

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.

Entries are limited to 120 competitors.

ENTRY FEE

The cost to enter the 2026 Paparoa Ultra is $380 NZD.

This includes:

- Bus transport from Punakaiki to Smoke Ho carpark (race start)

- Race pack with nutritional snacks

- Aid station water & electrolyte refills, and nutritional snacks

- Transponder use & timed results

- Race bib

- Medical support

- Finishers medal/token

- Eligibility for prizes (category winners, spot prizes)

*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

All entries are required to register at the Punakaiki Rocks Garden Bar, on Friday 27th March between 2pm - 5pm.

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

A compulsory gear check will be carried out during registration.

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, in addition to what you are wearing on race day:

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

x 1 basic first aid kit

x 1 transponder (given at registration)

x 1 race number (to be worn on the front of body at all times - given at registration)

EVENT BRIEFING

A compulsory briefing covering event logistics, safety and environmental awareness, will be held at 6pm at the Punakaiki Rocks Garden Bar on the 27th March 2026.

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

RACE TIME & LOCATION

Race starts at 6am from Smoke Ho carpark (the Southern end of the Paparoa Track) on Saturday, 28th March 2026.

Ensure you arrive with enough time.

SHUTTLES & PARKING

Buses will be departing the Pororari Track carpark in Punakaiki no later than 4:15am on race day.

You must register your spot on the bus either during the entry process or via email no later than 1st March 2026.

It is encouraged to make use of this included shuttle service to reduce traffic build-up at Smoke Ho carpark.

Competitors or their friends/family will not be allowed to park at Smoke Ho carpark, as parking is for daily track users only.

If you are getting dropped off by someone then ensure to arrive early enough incase of congestion/delays.

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:

Ces Clark Hut, 9:00 AM

Moonlight Tops Hut, 11:00 AM

Pororari Hut, 14:00 PM

Pororari Carpark (race finish), 17:00PM

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 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 also.

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 Hut, 39.1km

An Aid station will be present with; water refills*, electrolytes, energy snacks and a first-aid trained marshall.

Toilets are available at each hut.

*Due to a permanent boil water notice at all of the huts, we will be using water purification tablets for the water & electrolytes at all aid stations.

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.

Tags will be provided in your race pack at registration.

FINISH LINE - SPECTATORS

There is no parking available at the Pororari carpark for spectators due to existing track users.

Spectators are welcome to watch competitors cross the finish line at the Pororari carpark, where competitors will be given their finishing medal, but everyone is asked to keep walking to the Punakaiki Rocks Garden Bar where food & beverages are available. Please follow signage.

There is very limited parking available in Punakaiki. We recommend parking at your accommodation and walking to the finish line or the Punakaiki Rocks Garden Bar. If spectators are not staying in Punakaiki then there this parking available at the Pancake Rocks carpark, a 15 minute walk away. This now a paid carpark and you can find the fees here.

You cannot park at the Punakaiki Rocks Garden Bar as the few parking spots are for the hotel guests only, but there is limited roadside parking available.

PRIZES & PRIZEGIVING

Prizegiving will be held at 6pm 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. You must have your race number with you to claim a prize.

Prizes:

There will be prizes for 1st 2nd and 3rd female & male overall and in each category.

Plus lots of spot prizes to be awarded at prizegiving from local sponsors. You must attend the prizegiving, with your race bib to claim spot prizes.

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 48hrs.