ARCHIVED RACE: Great Barrier Island Wharf to Wharf Marathon @ Port FitzRoy Wharf, Great Barrier Island, New Zealand on 12 October 2013

This annual event is open to mountain bikers, runners and walkers. The race begins at Port FitzRoy Wharf in the north of Great Barrier Island and ends at Tryphena Wharf in the south. The first half of the marathon begins along the road with scenic views of Port Abercrombie before reaching the Kaiaraara stream. From the stream the track continues up and down through regenerating native bush home to some of NZ’s native species such as the chevron skink and kaka, kereru, tui, grey warbler and fantails. This is the most challenging and rewarding section of the marathon reaching an elevation of 180metres and requiring some technical skills for the bikers and offering spectacular views. The course winds around the bottom of Te Ahumata (White Cliffs), the site of silver mining on the island, and comes out on Blind Bay Road, Okupu. From here the course is on the road with views of white sandy beaches, green farmland and small settlements. There’s a couple of reasonable climbs along the way and a bigger climb just before the finish.