News (8)
Pre Race Safety Briefing - Shotover Moonlight
Moonlight Ultra, Mountain Marathon and 30km Adventure Run
Welcome to the Shotover Moonlight Mountain Marathon & Trail Runs. The Foster family has farmed Ben Lomond Station for over 30 years and we’re very excited to share our favourite parts of the station with you.We sincerely thank our sponsors, marshalls and volunteers without which we would not be able to hold such a fantastic event.
The Course
The Shotover Moonlight courses follow abandoned gold mining water races, sheep track, ridgelines, scree, riverbed, 4WD farm track and sections of no formed track. Some areas are fast running, some areas are walking and scrambling with most somewhere in between.
Course Marking
The course is marked in the following ways:
- Orange Triangles on flat standards, trees etc
- Pink ribbon and yellow caution tape
- Blue Arrows and blue printed signs
Stick to the marked course - please don’t stray.
Terrain underfoot
The terrain varies throughout the race. Take particular care when travelling in rivers/streams as rocks and logs are likely to be extremely slippery.
Tree roots, logs, wet rocks etc are often very slippery and these should be treated with caution.
Long grass and cut grass can conceal rabbit holes, rocks, hollows etc and should be carefully traversed.
Stoney Creek Water Race
This section of the course is an abandoned gold mining water race that in places is dug into bluffs and steep hills. It is spectacular and one of the highlights of the course. It is also very narrow, steep and exposed in places. Take extreme care during this section:
- It is single track and narrow - foot placement is critical or you may slip over.
- It is difficult to pass without cooperation - please call out to pass people and wait for a safe location, please let people past as required.
- Run within yourselves (don’t push it), particularly this first section - there is plenty more course ahead.
- If you haven’t done this event before, don’t be surprised to see your time per km a lot below what you’re expecting - don’t push it - it’s a tough course on challenging terrain.
- Take your time - don’t rush this section
Aid Stations and Marshalls
There are numerous checkpoints located along the course, approx 4-6km apart. Most have just water. The Highpoint (Ultra only). Moonlight Lodge, and Sefferstown Hill will have Water, Tailwind Nutrition and Food. Food consists of salted potatoes, lollies, fruit, chips but availability of food will depend on previous runners consumption. We can’t guarantee what will be available at any given time. You should make sure you’re carrying adequate nutrition to last the race unaided; treat the aid station supplies as a bonus.
Please respect the marshals and their instructions. They are all volunteers and are implementing race management instructions.
Feel free to drink the water from the streams along the course. We don’t recommend drinking from Moke Creek which is the stream you follow for the last 5km - but suggest you drink from the the side streams that flow into it instead along the final 5km.
Rubbish
Runners are expected to take all rubbish out with them. Littering over this beautiful course isn’t acceptable and could see you disqualified. There are rubbish and recycling bins located at the race finish.
Gold Mining History and Relics
There is lots of old gold mining relics, ruins, features etc - they are one of the things that make the course special. There’s also several historically recognised areas on the course - including the Stoney Creek Siphon, Sefferstown Huts, and the diversion tunnel in Moke Ck. You may see old bottles, shovels, pots, gold pans etc. They are wonderful reminders of the past and we ask that you look but don’t touch, move, take or alter these in any way. Aside from the fact it’s illegal, it’s taking from future generations and could result in disqualification. Enjoy them but let them be.
Safety and Accidents
Make sure your race numbers is on the front of your body, preferably chest. It must be clearly visible - these will be recorded at the aid stations. If a marshall asks for you to stop please do so. You can also call out your number to the marshalls to help them with recording.
You will be given a course map, with key safety info on the back. Please review this map beforehand and carry this map with you during the race.
In the event of an accident, firstly please stop to help. Please notify the nearest marshall or race official and they will have radios/phones to notify race management. If you have to stop, record the time - this will be taken into account in the final race standings.
First Aid
We have a team of medics on course provided by Peak Safety. In the event of a medical emergency, please assist however you can, and also have someone advise the nearest race official (checkpoint, marshall, tail end charlie, medic etc) who can contact Race management and we can organise assistance. Medics will be stationed at Moonlight Lodge, Sefferstown Hill aid station and at the Moke Lake Finish area
Toilets
There are toilets at the race start and finish, and Moonlight Lodge (halfway), additionally we have signposted longdrops on the course at Stewarts Hut and the Stock Bridge.
If you’re caught out and need to go, then make sure you bury all toilet waste in a shallow hole at least 50m from a watercourse
Moonlight Ultra Cut off times
Cutoff 1 - 10.30am at High Point in Road (21.5km). Athletes arriving at this point after 10.30am must continue down farm road to Murphys Saddle and will join onto a shortened Ultra Course (approx 43km total length). From Murphys
Saddle continue down Death Ridge, following course back to Moke Lake.
Cut off 2 - 2.00pm at Murphys Saddle. Athletes arriving at this point after 2.00pm are directed down the 30km course (down Jones Creek) and will have approx 6km less distance, resulting in approx 50km total distance
Mountain Marathon cut off times
There is a Mountain Marathon cut off time of 2pm where the 30km splits (approx 24.5km) from the Mountain Marathon route. The shortened marathon route will follow the 30km course back to Moke Lake. This will result in a 37km trail run and means a particularly challenging hill, ridgeline and descent is removed.
30km Adventure Run cut off times
There is no mid course cut off for the 30km event.
Course Closures (All Distances)
All races finishes at 8pm (13/5hrs for Ultra, 12hrs for 42km, 11hrs for 30km) at which point any athletes on the course will be picked up by 4WD and driven to the Moke Lake Finish.
Stock
Ben Lomond Station is a working farm with Merino sheep and cattle. If you encounter stock please be considerate and give appropriate distance. The cattle are friendly but we suggest you don’t approach them - please don’t chase, harass or interfere with the stock on the station.
Weather and conditions
The weather conditions and weather forecast, track and river conditions will be advised during the briefing immediately before the race.
The event takes place in an alpine environment and competitors are expected to be prepared for a range of weather. Very hot conditions (25-30 degrees) or heavy rain or snow or strong winds can be expected. Your mandatory gear is required to prepare you for whatever conditions present themselves on the day and you are required to carry this for the duration of the race.
Should adverse weather conditions present a safety risk (high rivers, snow, high winds) race management may change/modify the course to take runners away from these areas. Course changes will be advised as soon as we are able and described during the pre-race briefing at the race start.
Race Fore-runner, “Floaters”, Tail end Charlie
A race fore-runner will run the first half of the course, leaving approximately 1 hour before the race starts. They will ensure markings are in place and advise race management if there are potentially unsafe items that may trigger specific warnings or course changes.
There will be a tail end charlie for the 30km Adventure Run and Mountain Marathon and Moonlight Ultra events and they will be pointed out at the race briefing.
There will be “Floaters” within the field (medics) to keep an eye on the field and be on hand to respond to issues more readily than race management or marshalls. These will be pointed out at the race briefing. These “floaters” may take short cuts throughout the course, and will not follow the precise course to enable them to stick with the bulk of runners. Don’t follow them, stick to the course.
Communications
All race officials have a radio. Cellphone coverage is patchy. Spark/Skinny provides the best reception. Vodafone will only have reception along the Point Block ridge.
Finish
A bag drop is available at the race start for the Mountain Marathon and 30km Adventure Run in Skippers Canyon for you to leave excess items (warm/spare clothing etc). These will be taken to the race finish at Moke Lake and will be waiting for you when you arrive. The bag drop will be signposted at the race start. The gear will be moved to a tent at the finish area, and marked with a sign for collection. Note that race management will not be responsible for lost, stolen or damaged items in the bag drop.
The races finish at Moke Lake. There is food and drink available, massage, and a lovely lake to swim in. Ensure you carry cash for food, drink, massage as eftpos is not neccessarily available. Prizegiving is at 5pm. There will be an earlier prizegiving at 3.00pm for the 5km, 10km and 21km events.
The course closes at 8pm (12hrs for 42km, 11hrs for 30km) at which point any athletes on the course will be picked up by 4WD and driven to the Moke Lake Finish.
Shotover Moonlight Mountain Marathon and Trail Runs
The preliminary results for the 2018 Shotover Moonlight results can be viewed here
Thanks for racing, or following the Shotover Moonlight events.
The Foster Family.
Remember nominations are open for the 'Musterers Awards' until next Sunday for anyone who helped you get to the start or finish of your race. Please email nominations to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or post to our facebook page.
Sweet Cheeks Butt Butter, Super Balm and Hot Cheeks are all hand made by me, I use natural products sourced from NZ whenever possible and only the minimal amount of preservative in the products. Sweet Cheeks NZ products are made up of the highest quality NZ Beeswax, herbs and essential oils - simple, effective, and healing.
Ian Jones is no stranger to the New Zealand public as a former All Black and Sky Sports Commentator - but he's definitely not known as a trail runner. We were excited to hear that he was keen to take on the Shotover Moonlight Mountain Marathon so we asked him to share his thoughts on why he has entered and his plans for the race.
1. How did you first hear about the Shotover Moonlight Mountain Marathon, and why have you decided to enter for 2018?
I have seen the Shotover Moonlight race on the trail running calendar for a while. When a friend who has completed it previously said it was a must do, and that he was going back, for more I was in.
5. Our fastest runners take just under 5hrs to complete the course, but most take 6.5hr - 7.5hrs. What do you think your finish time will be?
I have no idea……but I know it will be a long time. I want to complete it, have fun and make some new friends along the way.
6. Do you have any other events on your schedule for the rest of 2017 and 2018?
I've just run in the Kerikeri half marathon the Iron Maori in December and the new Brecca event in the Bay of Islands plus some ocean swims and local trail runs with the kids.
Shotover Insights - Mal & Sally Law - Running Wild & Wild Things
Mal and Sally Law have become household names in the New Zealand trail running community. From the now very successful project to develop the Wild Things Trail Running club, Mal's exploits with 50 Peaks, 50 Days and Chasing the Dragon around Wales. They've also been regulars at the Shotover Moonlight since it's inception, so we thought we'd check in with them about their thoughts on the race and course.
1. You are well and truly part of the Shotover Moonlight family after racing every year since 2012. As the Fosters we love to host you and your crew each year at Ben Lomond Lodge, and to see you out on the course on race day. What is it about the event that keeps you coming back?
Mal: The combination of awesome terrain, varied trail and one of the ultimate challenges in NZ mountain running. Also, if I’m honest, the fact that my good mate James Harcombe & I are the only two people to have started every Shotover Moonlight Marathon and until he drops I won’t!
Sally: There is so much that I love about this event – where to start? I think above all, it’s not just another event – it’s a total adventure which begins well before the Race Director says GO!. Even if you don’t take the helicopter option to the start line the early morning drive through Skipper’s canyon will ensure the sleepiest of competitors are alert. Then there’s the walk to the start line across the swing bridge dangling high above the Shotover river. Oh yes, then there’s the course itself (a gnarly workout over varied and spectacular terrain) and of course a large dose of warm southern hospitality.
2. There are now so many fantastic trail running events in New Zealand. It must be a challenge to choose which ones you will enter. How do you decide which events are for you?
Mal: I love new trail experiences so inaugural races are always a draw. To get me coming back to any race time and again, as I do the SMM it takes that special blend of great trail, awesome scenery, good organisation and that indefinable ‘spirit’ or X Factor that only a few events truly have.
Sally: So true. With many passionate organisers and gorgeous locations we are totally spoilt for choice. I guess now that I’ve done quite a few some resonate and I find myself drawn back over and over. For me the enthusiasm and energy of organisers is contagious. I enjoy feeling like I’m running in the wilderness and especially over a traverse or sweet ridgeline along the tops. Get high, stay high!
3. You are the enthusiastic and inspiring people behind Running Wild (https://runningwildnz.com) and the growing Trail Run club (www.wildthings.club ) and you seem to have a solid grasp about what makes trail runners tick. What aspects of the Shotover Moonlight do you think particularly appeal to Wild Things?
Mal: Trail runners generally love a genuine challenge and are suckers for awe-inspiring scenery - the SMM ticks both these boxes. But I think it’s also the fact that they get to run on land not generally accessible to the public and the whole ’southern hospitality’ atmosphere that has built up around the event.
Sally: The Shotover Moonlight course is a truly challenging one and it will never be said that it is boring!! It will also never offer up a marathon PB to anyone other than someone who is brave enough to choose it as their very first marathon. BUT it will be memorable for the privilege of running through privately owned, stunning back country and it will be some of the best fun ever had in the outdoors.
4. Your website talks about your followers being 'wild about trail running', and encouraging runners of all levels to explore and share beautiful trails. We feel the same way about sharing our incredible backyard with people from all around New Zealand and the world on race day. Do you see the marathon course as suitable for any of your Wild Runners, or would you recommend the 30km as a great option for an adventurous but more achievable day out?
Mal: I wouldn’t call the Marathon course a beginner’s course! But that said I think it’s achievable for anyone who is reasonably fit, strong-minded and willing to give it a go. I’d never try to dissuade anyone from giving it a crack unless I thought it was way beyond their current level of experience or fitness. It’s great that SMM does offer the shorter courses too and these can make great ‘stepping stones’ for those whose ultimate ambition is the Marathon.
Sally: Generally speaking I wouldn’t recommend the 42km event to someone brand new to trail running, the trails are technical and the many hills can be daunting. However, absolutely yes, the 30km event is a great option for Wild Things looking for adventure but cautious about jumping straight in the marathon option.
5. We love to showcase our little piece of spectacular high country, and in particular to feed off the immense satisfaction we see in our finishers – as simply completion is a massive achievement for Shotover Moonlight. Your times are usually in the 5 ½ to 7 hour range - which for SMMM are awesome, but obviously would be pretty slow for many other marathons! What advice could you give about finish time expectations to first time racers who have a few other marathons under their belt?
Mal: The conventional wisdom seems to be to take your expected road marathon time and double it - this is a pretty good formula I think. But if someone struggles with technical trail I’d probably be telling them to add a bit more time on as well!
Sally: Hahaha, I’d say forget any previous marathon times! This one is more like an ultra – in fact to put it in perspective, my fastest Kepler Challenge (60km) time is about 3 minutes quicker than my fastest Shotover Moonlight time.
6. Do you have a favourite section of the course, and which bit do you see as most challenging?
Mal: My favourite would have to be that short but wonderful scree run down into the river bed - I smile & scream all the way down it every year (and often pick up a couple of places too!) The most challenging part for me is that final steep descent to the stock bridge - a killer for tired quads.
Sally: Ooooh, being a ridgeline lover I’d say the plunge down off Death Ridge and also the rocky up-and-over between the 2 lodges would be my favourite sections. Toughest is probably working all the way up from Ben Lomond Lodge to the last highest point, but then again the steep, dry, skiddy, drop down to the stock bridge on tired legs is tough too…..
Shotover Insights will be a quick catch up with several people connected with organising or competing in the Shotover Moonlight Mountain Marathon and Trail Run events in Queenstown, New Zealand.
Lauren Harris is a Queenstown local who competed in the Shotover Moonlight Mountain Marathon in 2017 for the first time with a group of friends. We asked Lauren why she gave the marathon a crack, what her highlights of the day were, and of course, whether she's coming back again for 2018.
1. What sort of running do you usually do?
None. I was a hiker, I love the outdoors and the experiences it brings.
2. What made you want to target the marathon?
2017 was the very first year I ever signed up to a marathon event, with the encouragement of two of my very best friends we decided not only to tackle one marathon but to do three in just four weeks. Our training centered around the Shotover Moonlight. We knew it would be incredibly difficult but the most rewarding of the three since the course is on a private station; what other opportunity would we have to see scenery like that on tap during the race.
3. It is an extremely challenging course, and simply reaching the finish line is a huge achievement in itself. Your time was 10:27:18 - that's a long day out on your feet. Were you always confident you would reach the cut off, and complete the course?
I was always confident all three of us would cross the finish line, we all have a very stubborn streak in common. Our goal was always to finish together no matter what time it took us. Last place is still a finisher.
4. What were the highlights of the day and the course for you?
I still haven't stopped talking to anyone that gives me half a chance about this amazing event. The rock wall we climbed, the ladder by the waterfall, the 2600m climb and decent over the whole day through to the rock tunnel . The friendly faces that were at every water station giving encouragement, this marathon is the whole package. My very favourite thing would be the new found bond with my friends and the laughs and just having each others back for the entire way.
5. What were the most challenging parts of the course, and did you have any 'want to give up' moments?
Each part of the course offers something new and unique, so each stage felt like a new adventure. All the encouragement was absolutely fantastic, even from all the other runners. So no, 'want to give up' moments.
6. What advice would you give to other recreational runners who are considering entering one of the Shotover Moonlight races?
Absolutely do it, the marathon offers something none of the other events did. We have all been waiting to sign up again for this years event, which we have now, and we have even found a few more people to do it with us. I definitely wear my race t-shirt with pride.
Shotover Insights will be a quick catch up with several people connected with organising or competing in the Shotover Moonlight Mountain Marathon and Trail Run events in Queenstown, New Zealand.
In this first interview we catch up with farmer John Foster for his thoughts on the farm, the Shotover Moonlight race history and the course. John Foster and his wife Ginny are the proud owners and managers of Ben Lomond Station, their move to the high country 30 years ago has proved to be one full of exciting challenges and hard-earned rewards. Their three adult children, Hamish, Megan and Julia, grew up with the privilege of a 33,500 acre backyard which cultivated a lasting love of the outdoors.
1. The Shotover Moonlight is coming into its seventh year in 2018 and its popularity is increasing every year – from where did the concept originate?
We originally wanted to create an event to promote the ultrafine merino wool that we produce. We thought about starting this race for many many years, and through our relationship with John Knight at Outside Sports we brought in an event organiser for the last six years. Now as Hamish, Megan and Julia will all be back based in the South Island and it was the right time to bring the organisation into the family, and a great opportunity to use our collective skills to organise the event. We’re looking forward to sharing the spectacular landscapes that we are privileged to oversee with all the competitors.
2. What might a common work day involving some of the marathon course look like for you?
There is no typical day for me. However I’ve come down death ridge with a mob of sheep in the snow and ice glistening in the Moonlight. It’s not uncommon to be out on my feet for 8-10 hours and cover more than 30km in a day - much like the competitors on race day.
2. Based on the course you seem to have a pretty good understanding about the kind of experience trail runners enjoy. Do you have a background in trail running or outdoors activities yourself?
Not trail running exactly; however I have always ‘gone on missions’ - out for 12 hours, not always reaching the hut in time, and having to camp out somewhere sub-optimal. I have always enjoyed tramping, climbing and mountaineering.
4. If you had the opportunity to compete one year, what do you think your finish time would be – and more importantly, would you make the cut off?
Yes, definitely! Of course I’d make the cut off. The sheep are getting faster and faster - I have to jog to keep up with them these days as they travel over 5km per hour on rough country. So I’d probably say 8 hours. I think Antz has come up with an Instagram tag for the race called #runlikeamerino but I don’t really know what means.
5. There is an ever diminishing number of New Zealand high country properties owned and operated by Kiwis; what does it take to be able to survive out there alongside your hardy merinos?
When owning a high country station you certainly don’t earn a salary which would represent the hours you put in. It’s a 7 day a week operation, and it’s the love of the land which is why you do it. Someone might come out on a beautiful day and say ‘what an incredible place’, which of course it is, but equally there are plenty of unpleasant days out there, when I have to do unpleasant tasks. It’s a fantastic place to raise a resilient family.
6. Yes, and now your adult children Hamish, Megan and Julia are working alongside you to run Shotover Moonlight, along with their spouses Rachael, Antz and Sam. Do you get out on adventures with them and your grandchildren?
Well, 18 months ago I took Megan out for a training mission while she prepared for competing in GODZone. After a fairly hard day out on some seriously steep terrain she said that her children wouldn’t be allowed to go for a walk with Poppa until they are about 40 years old…
7. Which section of the full marathon and 30km course is your personal favourite, and which do you think is the toughest?
The nicest ridge is along the top of the point block (29km into the 42km), and the start of the water race up Stoney creek is spectacular (3km into both 42 and 30km races). I think the toughest section of the marathon is from where the two races split apart in Murpheys creek, going up Long Spur and over and down Death Ridge.
8. Ben Lomond Station is steeped in gold mining history. Will runners have the opportunity to experience much of this in February?
They certainly go past the old dredges and boiler in the Shotover River, and throughout the course they are on several water races. They’ll go past an old gold mining dam and tunnel, as well as the historic Sefferstown settlement - in fact the half marathon course passes this and the tunnel too.
9. You know the course and the terrain like the back of your hand – what would be your top tip for competitors to consider in their training?
Train on rough terrain. I spend my whole life walking around these hills, and fit young people can’t keep up. If you train on tarseal roads and expect to do well, you will be mistaken.
Shotover Moonlight 2018 event under new family management.
The Shotover Moonlight Mountain Marathon and Trail Runs will return for for its 7th edition on 17 February 2018. The Foster family from Ben Lomond Station have taken over the race management and promotions and are looking forward to hosting trail runners from New Zealand, Australia and across the world in their backyard.
The Shotover Moonlight race has gained a strong following in the running community due to the diverse terrain, scenery and technical trails. It is a ‘once a year’ opportunity to follow abandoned 1880's gold mining water races and sheep tracks on razorback ridges, to climb up stunning waterfalls on ladders and pass through an abandoned gold mining tunnel, on the spectacular Ben Lomond Station near Queenstown.
The event is arguably New Zealand’s most spectacular Mountain Marathon. Exceptionally challenging, with over 2500m of climbing and descending along demanding single track, this event is a must do for any mountain runner.
A full range of events means you can find an option to suit; whether chasing a course record, challenging your personal best or simply spending the day out running through a normally private high country station with your friends, the Shotover Moonlight is for you.
For more event details see:
www.facebook.com/shotovermoonlight
About Ben Lomond Station and the Foster Family.
Ben Lomond Station is owned and run by John and Ginny Foster and is one of the few remaining high country stations owned and operated by New Zealanders.
Farming is the primary business on Ben Lomond Station - where Merino sheep are farmed because of their ability to survive the harsh winters and produce beautiful, super fine wool. Around 7000 merino sheep live on the 33,000 acre station along with 200 Angus/Hereford cattle.
The Fosters are committed to the future of the high country and have strived to ensure sustainable farming and to celebrate the rich gold mining history.
John and Ginny’s children are passionate about the outdoors and the family farm.
Their son Hamish, his wife Rachael, and their one year old son Ryder live in Queenstown and are regulars on musters, hosting groups, or out exploring the trails and ridgelines on the property.
Their daughter Megan and her husband Antz live in Alexandra with their two children Alyssa and Toby and their ‘outdoor’ lifestyle is integrated through their family adventures on and off the farm. Megan has competed in the GodZone adventure race, and Antz is a keen trail runner and mountain biker. Both children will often be found out walking, climbing and exploring on hills around Ben Lomond and four year old Alyssa has walked most of the marathon course under her own steam over several days of adventuring.
John and Ginny’s youngest daughter Julia and fiance Sam are currently on their OE in Canada but are due back in New Zealand by the end of 2017, with a family wedding on the farm in early 2018.
