ABOUT OUR EVENT

The Mavora Explorer is an event with several mountain biking, running and walking categories offering a chance for everyone to join in. Take the opportunity to challenge yourself while exploring a stunning and secluded corner of the Te Anau Basin. This event is a fundraiser for Mararoa School and is proudly brought to you by our amazing Mararoa School Community.

Challenge yourself and race hard, or take it easy and enjoy the views - there is something for everyone. Mavora Explorer is back in January 2024 and we would love you to join us! Check out our event details & maps.

8 Events
1 Day
200 Athletes

Fun Run/Walk - 6 km Fun Run

Registrations Open: 7.30am | Race Briefing: 9.05am | Race Starts: 9.15am | Entry Fee: $20.00 adults, $10.00 children (up to 14yrs, must have parent permission) | Prizegiving: 2.00pm (Time may change depending on race finishing times.)

No pressure here! A 6 kilometre Fun Run or Walk suitable for adults and children.

*All entries for the Fun Run receive a Sausage and a beverage*

The Dale Dash - 12 km Run

Registrations Open: 7.30am | Race Briefing: 8.50am | Race Starts: 8.55am | Entry Fee: $80.00 (earlybird $70.00) | Prizegiving: 2.00pm (Time may change depending on race finishing times.)

Start your dash with a gradual climb from the Mararoa Station yard and up the Thomas Burn and see Mt Prospect in the distance, before you cross over into the Dale Valley. Here you have Mt Prospect at your left and Mt Hamilton to your right.

Heading through into Mararoa Downs, you start the climb where you will be rewarded with fabulous scenery of the Te Anau Basin with Lake Manapouri and Fiordland Mountain Ranges.

Trail along farm tracks as you make your way back down the valley where the Dale Creek meets the Mararoa River then onto the Finish Line!

*All entries receive a Mararoa Burger and a beverage*

The Mararoa Half - 21 km

Registrations Open: 7.30am | Race Briefing: 8.35am | Race Starts: 8.40am | Entry Fee: $100.00 (Earlybird $90.00) | Prizegiving: 2.00pm (Time may change depending on race finishing times.)

As you head out on the Mararoa Half you begin with a gradual climb up the Thomas Burn. Coming alongside Lake Thomas you run on to the base of Mt Prospect and alongside lush native tussock and bush. Keep an eye out for any deer! Turning away from Mt Prospect you then run down into the Dale Valley.

Cross properties into Mararoa Downs and push yourself up the hill to see the fantastic view of the Te Anau Basin, Lake Manapouri, and Fiordland’s towering mountain ranges in the distance.

On the home run now, you follow farm tracks down to where the Dale Creek meets the Mararoa River and the river takes you onward to the Finish Line back at Mararoa Station.

*All entries receive a Mararoa Burger and a beverage*

The Sawmill Sweat - 30 km Bike

Registrations Open: 7.30am | Race Briefing: 8.10am | Race Starts: 8.15am | Entry Fee: $80.00 (Earlybird $70.00) | Prizegiving: 2.00pm (Time may change depending on race finishing times.)

Head off from the Start Line on Mararoa Station with a gradual climb up the Thomas Burn. Mt Prospect is in the distance as you cross over into the Dale Valley, with Mt Hamilton on your right.

Biking on into Mararoa Downs push into the big climb where you are rewarded with fabulous scenery of the Te Anau Basin with Lake Manapouri and Fiordland National Park filling the horizon.

Next up is some undulating ground to cover before heading up the historical Sawmill Gully, where you have Snowdon Forest to your left and steep hills to your right. Once you scurry up the gully you bike through a small archway of native bush to come into The Chimneys.

Cutting around to the right, you bike alongside the Mararoa River, where it is all downhill from here as the river leads you back to the Finish Line.

*All entries receive a Mararoa Burger and a beverage*

The Snowdon Slog - 45km Bike

Registrations Open: 7.30am | Race Briefing: 7.55am | Race Starts: 8.00am | Entry Fee: $100.00 (Earlybird $90.00) | Prizegiving: 2.00pm (Time may change depending on race finishing times.)

Start on a gradual climb from the Mararoa Station yard up the Thomas Burn with Mt Prospect in the distance. Soon you come up alongside Lake Thomas and continue to the base of Mt Prospect where you pedal beside native tussock and lush native bush. Turn with Mt Prospect now behind you and Mt Hamilton in your forefront, and head down into the Dale Valley.

Cross properties into Mararoa Downs and have a steep climb up, up, up to be rewarded with fabulous scenery of the Mararoa Basin with Lake Manapouri and Fiordland Mountain Ranges in the backdrop.

You then have some undulating ground to cover before heading up the historical Sawmill Gully, where you have Snowdon Forest on your left and steep hills to your right. Once you reach the top of the gully you cross through an archway of native bush before passing through The Chimneys.

Then you head into the stunning native Snowdon Forest for 1.5kms where the track leads you to Camp David and an aid station with fresh water waiting for you. From Camp David, you have a sharp pinch onto the Steep Track. This track follows the original track back out through the native beech forest, and then it’s all downhill from here following alongside the Mararoa River which leads you back to the finish line.

*All entries receive a Mararoa Burger and a beverage*

Electric Hullaballoo - 45km E-Bike

Registrations Open: 7.30am | Race Briefing: 7.55am | Race Starts: 8.00am | Entry Fee: $70.00 (Earlybird $60.00) | Prizegiving: 2.00pm (Time may change depending on race finishing times.)

Start out climbing up from the Mararoa Station yard up the Thomas Burn with Mt Prospect in the distance. Soon you come up alongside Lake Thomas and continue to the base of Mt Prospect where you bike beside native tussock and lush native bush. Turn with Mt Prospect now behind you and Mt Hamilton in your forefront, and head down into the Dale Valley.

Cross properties into Mararoa Downs and have a steep climb up, up, up to be rewarded with fabulous scenery. Stop, have a cuppa, and enjoy the view of Te Anau Basin, Lake Manapouri, and the Fiordland Mountain Ranges.

You then have some undulating ground to cover before heading up the historical Sawmill Gully, where you have Snowdon Forest on your left and steep hills to your right. Once you reach the top of the gully you cross through an archway of native bush before passing through The Chimneys.

Then you head into the stunning native Snowdon Forest with dappled sunlight peeking through (on a good day!). Follow the track for 1.5kms before arriving at Camp David and an aid station with fresh water waiting for you. From Camp David, you have a sharp pinch onto the Steep Track which follows the original track back out through the native beech forest. Then it’s all downhill from here to the finish line, following alongside the cool, clear Mararoa River.

*All entries receive a Mararoa Burger and a beverage*

Waewae Pedal - Duathlon

Registrations Open: 7.30am | Race Briefing: 8.25am | Race Starts: 8.30am | Entry Fee: $120.00 (Earlybird $110.00) | Prizegiving: 2.00pm (Time may change depending on race finishing times.)

Start your duo with a 12 kilometre run and a gradual climb from the Mararoa Station yard and up the Thomas Burn and see Mt Prospect in the distance, before you cross over into the Dale Valley. Here you have Mt Prospect at your left and Mt Hamilton to your right.

Heading through into Mararoa Downs you start the climb where you will be rewarded with fabulous scenery of the Te Anau Basin, Lake Manapouri, and Fiordland Mountain Ranges.

Trail along farm tracks as you make your way back down the valley where the Dale Creek meets the Mararoa River then back into the Mararoa Station yards for transition.

Your 30 kilometre bike ride heads off again up the same direction as your run and crosses through the Dale Valley and up the other side where you then meet some undulating ground to cover before heading up the historical Sawmill Gully. Here you have Snowdon Forest to your left and steep hills to your right. Once you reach the top of the gully you bike through a small archway of native bush to come into The Chimneys.

Cutting around to the right you bike alongside the Mararoa River, where it is all downhill from here as the river leads you back to the Finish Line.

*All entries receive a Mararoa Burger and a beverage*

6km Family Walk

Family Walkers start TBA | Entry Fee: $20.00 per family

For those with little legs or ageing joints, you can enjoy a gentle 6km wander across easy undulating tracks. Keep your eyes peeled to follow the clues along the way to find the answer!
This is a casual event, no race bib or timing

Family walkers may register on the day only, up until 10:30am.

OUR EVENTS


6km Fun Run

6km Run or Walk


45 km Bike

The Snowdon Slog


12 km Run

The Dale Dash


30 km Bike

The Sawmill Sweat


21 km Run

The Mararoa Half


E-Bike Ride

Electric Hullaballoo


Duathlon

Waewae Pedal


6km Walk

Family Walk

Challenge yourself and race hard, or take it easy and enjoy the views - there is something for everyone to take part in. Mavora Explorer is back and we would love you to join us!

Frequently Asked Questions

All tracks wind through two separate farms, there is a mix of uphill and down, with some spectacular views on the way. A mix of Intermediate Grade 3 to Advanced Grade 4. Check out the course descriptions to get a feeling for what each course is like
There will not be a detailed inspection of your gear at check-in UNLESS there is a serious weather warning in place. We do however highly recommend you carry adequate clothing especially if you are walking the 21km event.
This is Fiordland and we can sometimes experience ‘4 seasons in one day’. We do however expect it to be hot being Summer and ask that athletes wear and carry sufficient clothing for this time of year (Hats, Visors recommended).
The event will still go ahead in the event of sleet or rain. We will only cancel if there are floods or natural causes or an earthquake that has or is likely to wash away the track. The race director's decision is final.

The full order of events will be confirmed closer to the day.

Aid Stations will be placed strategically around the courses. First Aid will be onsite at the start/finish line. Please note: Disposable cups will not be available onsite- please bring your own drink bottle, hydration pack or reusable cup. Portaloos will be available at the start/finish line.

Also onsite there will be:

  • A Massage Tent
  • BBQ

Yes, although there is a $20 admin fee. Changes to be made in writing (email)
We cannot run this event without volunteers. We have a core number of volunteers that love to help each year, but as our event grows we will need more. We would welcome you to email us if you are keen to help.

Major Sponsor

Real NZ Sponsor

All Our Sponsors

Please contact us if you are interested in becoming a sponsor


Contact Us

OUR POLICIES


Location

Address: Mavora Lakes Road, Mavora, Southland

Website: www.mavoraexplorer.co.nz

Mail: info@mavoraexplorer.co.nz