Meridian Hydro Half Marathon

The race starts at the location of the original Hydro Construction Village, now part of Kepler Farm. Around you in the paddocks you will see the old streets and the trees that were planted as part of the gardens in the temporary village.

The race starts with a loop around part of this area before exiting from the northern entrance on to the Te Anau-Manapouri Highway for 300m.

As you turn into Balloon Loop the speedier racers will have separated out from the slightly less speedy and you can settle into a nice pace with similar runners.

Part way into Balloon loop you will turn on to the first part of the Lake2Lake Trail before re-joining the 4WD track for a short time before heading on trail to near Rainbow Reach. The first drink station will greet you.

An uphill section leads to a minor road crossing before descending past the ox-bow lake and enjoying the spectacular river and mountain views as you speed towards Queens Reach, in and out of native bush areas. Queens Reach is reached by an uphill section, then along the top terrace with great views, followed by a narrow downhill forest trail and a short road section with a ford!
Just around the corner is the second drink station.

From Queens Reach the trail follows the Upper Waiau River firstly at river level before climbing up to higher terraces on three occasions. A relatively flat section with a few rises lets you reach the Lake Te Anau Control Structure where the final drink station will greet you.

From there, the township of Te Anau will pop in and out of view. The finish line is this side of the town, so you will enjoy the last 4km with great lake and mountain views, passing Tui Bay and the Bird Sanctuary and arriving at the Finish line at the Meridian Energy marquee in front of the lake just past Marakura Yacht Club.

Elevation is between 190m and 240m.