Trail Challenge Waihi official marathon

This is a good honest trail marathon that isn’t for the faint hearted, but rewards those who are brave enough with bucket loads of stoke! 

Dicky Flat is a great place to start because you can restock supplies halfway through. From the start, follow the Waitawheta River on a relatively technical single track. You’ll cross the river after about 2km. The trail continues on up into the native bush and eventually you’ll drop down Dean Track to more views of the Waitawheta River. A short flat section along Franklin Road and through private property will take you back into the bush onto the Bluff Stream Track. Head up Daly’s Clearing Track with more quality native bush lined single track all the way, complete the loop and then back the way you headed out.

Pass back through the start point (you can top up your supplies here) and head into the next phase of your marathon. You'll approach two swing-bridges. Then you are into the Waitawheta Pipeline and Crown Tramway Tracks, beside the tumultuous Waitawheta River once more: watch for mining ruins and relics as you pass by. Your route takes in one pitch black tunnel where you'll need a headtorch and careful footwork - curb your FKT enthusiasm here.

You will then head through the delightful Windows Walk: cross the swing-bridge and head up into the delightful Scotsman Gully, a short, steep climb to test the endurance. You can stretch out a little on County Road before the climbing begins in earnest as you begin to circle the mountain on the Number 7 Level Track. Settle into a steady rhythm up this gradual climb and keep an eye out for occasional glimpses down into the magnificent Waitawheta Gorge.

Continue climbing on the Number 7 Level Track past Dubbo 96 track: the views get better as you climb higher! Making your way around the back of Karangahake Mountain, with a short out and back section to the summit (because it would be rude not to after climbing for 6km now wouldn’t it!?) prepare for a screaming (though slippery at times) descent. Then turn right again back onto County Road.

Back onto the Number 7 Level Track, but this time turn left and get ready for another storming technical descent, this time on the famed Dubbo 96 Track.

At the bottom after re-crossing the swing-bridges, there is a final opportunity for flat fast (if you’ve got anything left) running around Dicky Flat to complete your marathon.

Roads and trails used: Mangakino Pack Track, Deans Track, Bluff Stream Track, Dalys clearing track, Crown Track, Waitawheta Pipeline Track, Crown Tramway Track, Scotsman Gully Track, Number 7 Level Track, Karangahake Mountain Track, Dubbo 96 Track.