Home / 'The Connecto-thon' - 42km Off-Road Marathon
'The Connecto-thon' - 42km Off-Road Marathon
New in 2012!
The Colville Connection's foray into trail running events. The 'Connecto-thon' is the Short and Stout's ruggedly handsome twin brother. The marathon follows the same 42km as the mountain bike course.
It's a solid 42km and not for the faint hearted; with steep climbs, single track and gnarly descents this one is for the genuine trail junkie however throw in mix of technical running skills and some kiwi 'can-do' attitude this is an achievable outing for those who don't mind a long walk/run by the beach, great views and going solo. The majority of the course is on private land, not normally accessible to the public - so that's pretty cool!
Expected times for this trot range between just under 4 hours and all day.
Directions the Event Base:
Click here to open the downloads page for this information.
Download Maps and Directions
Maps, course profiles and Event base locations - click here to open the downloads page.
Kauri Dieback - Bike Check
Important Information Downloads:
Kauri PTA Q & A factsheet.pdf (210 KB)
Hygiene Procedures (SOP) for those working in kauri areas.pdf (431 KB)
We're privileged to run ride and walk amongst some of the country's most beautiful environments, which have been around long before we set foot on them. You must arrive with clean shoes and bikes. There will be strict bike checks prior to registration where you will be issued a ticket that you need to present at registration. Please read the information below on how to preserve our natural landscape or if you have any questions. All runners and walkers will be required to walk across bio-security mats at the start line.
Event Categories
The following age group categories will be used for the event;
- Under 20 years
- 20 - 39 years
- 40 - 49 years
- 50 - 59 years
- 60 years+
Starting Times for all events
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Registration process
Registration is at the Colville School; there will be a sign outside the classroom.
Date - Friday 8th March
Time - 4:00pm-9:00pm
Location - Colville School
Date - Saturday 9th March
Time - 6:30am-10:45 am
Location - Colville School
Please be at registration at least 45 minutes before your start time.
NB - event apparel and meal tickets will be given out with race packs at registration.
Results will be uploaded to this site here, and to the total sport site here shortly after this event.
Course Safety
Event Rules:
- The event and courses may be adjusted at the event directors' discretion in adverse weather for the safety of participants
- The events pass over private land - participants must leave all property as is and will not litter on the course - take home all rubbish
- All mountain bike competitors must wear and correctly fasten a cycle helmet that meets standard ASTM F1447-2006 at all times
- All participants must obey road rules on course and at intersections
- All participants must obey and respect marshal instructions while on course
- All participants MUST NOT CROSS THE CENTRE LINE at any time on the course
- Participants must take basic repair kits on mountain bike events and should be able to correct basic mechanical issues
- All entrants must stay on the course and pass all marshals. Tail-end marshals will follow the last competitor and ensure everyone is off the course safely
- Tracks are open to the public so please respect their space
- Qualified ambulance support will be available on course and at the event base, please acknowledge that this is an off-road event and access could be difficult
- Participants must help others on course if they are in need of assistance
- If you come across a injured competitor - STOP and render First Aid
Road Closures:
There will be a road closure from the START of the 72km mountain bike event on the Port Charles Road to the Waikawau Beach Road intersection approximately 7km into the ride. This will be closed from 8:15-9:00am on event day. The rest of the courses will have sections of OPEN ROADS. You MUST OBEY ROAD RULES and ride/run on the LEFT SIDE of the road. DO NOT CROSS THE CENTRE LINE. OBEY all of the marshals please - they are there for YOUR SAFETY. You don't have any extra rights to the roads afforded to you because you are participating in this event.
Recommended Equipment:
72km & 42km Mountain Bike and Marathon
A wind and rainproof jacket, beanie/buff, emergency blanket, basic first aid kit and fluid must be brought to the event, and will need to be carried during the event in adverse weather. We will advise early on Saturday morning what gear needs to be taken with you. We recommend carrying a minimum of 1.5-2 litres and your own food. There will be one aid station on course (please see aid station section). Depending of the weather conditions on the day, total sport may reduce the equipment requirements if the weather is suitable.
21km Mountain Bike and 21km Trail Run
A wind and rainproof jacket, beanie/buff, emergency blanket, basic first aid kit and fluid must be brought to the event, and will need to be carried during the event in adverse weather. We recommend carrying a minimum of 1 litre and your own food. There will be aid stations on course (please see this aid station section). We will advise early on Saturday morning what gear needs to be taken with you.
NB - Should the equipment be required you will be told at registration. Please come prepared.
NB - Mountain Bike participants should carry equipment and be able to fix punctures and basic mechanical issues - there will be limited bike mechanical on the course
Suggested Equipment:
Sunhat, sun cream, chaffing cream and strapping tape for 21km & 42km trail run events. A wind and rainproof jacket for 10km trail run in the case of wet/cold weather is advisable.
Drink and Aid Stations
Where available these will be loaded with electrolyte, water and bananas.
72km Event
- 38km (Fletcher Bay)
42km Events
- 8km
- 17km
- 25km
- 31km
21km Events
- 6km
- 10km
5km & 10km Events
- No aid stations please take your own drink and food.
Cut-Off Times
- All events will have a cut-off time of 5pm
Please look at your start times and pace yourself accordingly.
Prize giving / Spot prizes
The following is a break down of the awards ceremonies at the Colville Connection:
Prize Giving One - 5 & 10km Walk/Run, 21km mountain bike and half marathon. 1:00pm
Prize Giving Two - 42km & 72km mountain bike events. 2:30pm
Prize Giving Three - Marathon. 4:00pm
Awards Breakdown:
5 & 10km Walk/Run - 1st female and male overall in walk and run events
21km Walk - 1st female and male overall
21km Run & Mountain Bike - 1st, 2nd, 3rd overall and 1st in each age category, female and male
42km Run and Mountain Bike - 1st, 2nd, 3rd overall and 1st in each age category, female and male
72km Mountain Bike - 1st, 2nd, 3rd overall and 1st in each age category, female and male. First female and male single speed, first male clydesdale and 1st tandem
At least one major spot prize will be given out at each prize giving, with minor spot prizes awarded over the finish line.
For event pricing and other important entry details visit the entry details page here
Have a question? Then click here and visit our contact page to get in touch with the event manager.
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