The Nelson Half 2023 – Race Information
GENERAL
The half marathon and 10km run and walk is being held on a course that is almost entirely on the walkway systems around Stoke and the Great Taste Trail. The TBI Health 2.5km and 5km fun run and walk will take in a single or double circuit of the Saxton Field complex, respectively. The race venue is the Suburbs Football Clubrooms, almost opposite Saxton Oval. Prizegiving will be held at the Suburbs clubrooms as soon as practicable after the last athlete has finished (approx 12.15pm)
START TIMES:
7.30 am – Half marathon walk and Half Marathon runners slower than 3 hours
8.15 am – Half marathon run
9.00am – 10km walkers and runners
11.00am – TBI Health 2.5km and 5km Fun Run runners and walkers
Participants must be at the race venue at least 30-45 min before their race start and attend the race briefing.
Access Saxton Field
Access Saxton Field from Main Road Stoke then via Saxton Road on Sunday. Only the entrance from Saxton Road will be open on the day of the run, the southern entrance off Main Road Stoke will be closed from 7.00am to 12noon for the half marathon event.
PARKING:
Parking will be available in a number of locations within the Saxton Field complex – at the netball and hockey field areas. THERE IS NO PARKING PERMITTED IN SUBURBS FOOTBALL CLUB CARPARK – THIS IS RESERVED FOR OFFICIALS. This also allows athletes to pass safely through this area to the finish line.
COURSES
HALF MARATHON
The half marathon course commences on the start finish line and proceeds north, turn right onto the cycleway adjacent to the main road and then north around 120m before a hard right, doubling back a short way to pass through the underpass beneath Main Rd Stoke to the Whakatu Drive walkway system. Proceed straight ahead to pass through the Orphanage Creek underpass beneath Whakatu Drive and turn right onto the Whakatu Drive walkway. Continue along the walkway to Point Rd at the Honest Lawyer, and then proceed along the footpath to Monaco peninsula. Stay on the left to the end of Point Rd, turn right into Martin Rd and stay on the left side of the road to do a clockwise circuit of the peninsula. Keep on the left on the return journey and cross back to the Point Rd footpath at the crossing point at the Monaco Reserve toilet block. Re-enter the walkway at the Honest Lawyer and head south back the way you came. However, on reaching the Orphanage Creek underpass, veer left over the underpass and carry on southwards towards Richmond on the cycleway. At the Champion Rd underpass turnoff, keep left and soon after turn hard right to enter the Great Taste Trail cycleway. Follow this around the estuary margin all the way to Headingly Lane, up Headingly Lane for 200m and then turn right to continue along the Great Taste Trail to Sandeman Reserve. After a clockwise lap within the reserve, retrace your steps on the cycle trail to Headingly Lane and eastward back along the Great Taste Trail to the Whakatu Drive sealed cycleway. Turn left, head north to the Orphanage Creek underpass, turning very hard left, back through the underpass, along the walkway, veer right to pass through the Main Rd Stoke underpass, hard left on emerging on the road. On reaching the playing fields, veer left and then immediately right and continue south on the elevated grass mound on the western edge of the fields, looping the field to finish outside the Suburbs Clubrooms. A wet weather alternative finish will be advised if necessary.
10Km COURSE
The 10km course follows almost the same course as for the half marathon above. The start is on the start finish line, proceed south turn left then right onto main internal road and then turn right at the southern roadway entrance onto the footpath heading north. Continue north over the Orphanage Creek pond outlet for 80m and then turn hard right and double back to pass through underpass beneath Main Rd Stoke. Proceed straight ahead to pass through the Orphanage Creek underpass beneath Whakatu Drive and turn right onto the Whakatu Dr walkway. Continue along the walkway to Point Rd at the Honest Lawyer, and then proceed along the footpath on the left down to the end of Point Rd. DO NOT CROSS Point Rd but continue to the end of the footpath and for another 40m straight on to the turnaround point in the Point Rd “extension”. Proceed back the way you came, enter the walkway at the Honest Lawyer and continue south to the Orphanage Creek underpass. Veer right, go back through the underpass, veer right again to go through the underpass on Main Rd Stoke. Turn hard left on reaching Main Rd Stoke. On reaching the playing fields, veer left then immediately right and continue south on the elevated grass mound on the western edge of the fields, looping the field to finish outside the Suburbs Clubrooms. A wet weather alternative finish will be advised if necessary.
2.5 km and 5 km FUN RUN
The 2.5km and 5km fun run starts just south of the children’s playground on the corner of the internal road. Proceed south along the western lane of the main internal road, cross to the left beyond the Saxton Oval carpark entrance to do a loop eastward on the concrete pathway. Continue to a turnaround point on the footpath just beyond the bridge, turn left over the bridge and them immediately right to return to the internal road. Turn left and cross the road to the west side and continue south to the Saxton Field south entry. Turn right onto the walkway beside Main Road Stoke and head north towards Nelson. Turn right at soccer field corner near Orphanage Creek. Then for: 2.5km fun runners: Continue turning hard right and continue south on the elevated grass mound on the western edge of the fields, looping the field to finish outside the Suburbs Clubrooms. A wet weather alternative finish will be advised if necessary. 5km fun runners: Continue east on the sealed pathway beside the playing fields back to the internal main road. Turn right into the west lane of the internal road and do a repeat lap of the first lap. On reaching the soccer field corner at Orphanage Creek the second time, turn hard right and continue south on the elevated grass mound on the western edge of the fields, looping the field to finish outside the Suburbs Clubrooms. A wet weather alternative finish will be advised if necessary.
“MUST READ” RACE NOTES
- All race participants will be issued with a timing chip with instructions for wearing on your shoe. On completion of your race, you will be directed into a pen immediately beyond the finish line so that the timing chip can be retrieved. Please do not leave the venue or track without having returned the timing chip. Any chips not returned will incur a $20 fee.
- The course is almost entirely over Whakatu and Great Taste Trail walkway systems in Stoke and Richmond and within the Saxton Field complex. However, streets on the Monaco Peninsula are used (see course description) and footpaths must be used wherever possible. General road rules shall be obeyed at all times.
- ALL WALKWAYS, CYCLE TRAILS AND ROADS ARE OPEN to public use throughout the event. However, while signs and marshals are located at strategic entry points to the walkways to advise participants and other users of the event in progress, not all entry points to the walkways can be monitored. Therefore BE ALERT TO OTHER WALKWAY USERS (PARTICULARLY CYCLES) AT ALL TIMES. KEEP LEFT WHEN ON THE CYCLEWAYS TO AVOID MISHAP!
- All participants must keep to the left of the course wherever practicable (unless otherwise directed), to allow other participants and walkway users to pass without conflict.
- WALKERS : In consideration of other participants and to avoid congestion and collision on the walkways and footpaths – FOR YOUR SAFETY – PLEASE KEEP LEFT AND IN SINGLE FILE ON THE POINT RD FOOTPATH AND ALL WALKWAYS AND CYCLEWAYS, PARTICULARLY ON THE NARROWER GREAT TASTE TRAIL TO SANDEMAN RESERVE.
- All road crossings are marshaled, but do not assume that you have right of way. Check before you cross! Cross Point Rd with care and when safe to do so.
- Race numbers are to be worn on the front and must be visible at all times and especially at the finish line.
- All km marks on the course are indicated by ORANGE painted numbers (1/2 marathon), GREEN numbers (10km) and BLUE (2.5km/5km fun runs)..
- DRINKS & TOILETS: There are 3 drink stations (water and also electrolyte) and several toilets on the ½ marathon and 10km course. Drinks and a portaloo are located on the estuary margin grass reserve on the left immediately past the Honest Lawyer. The is a toilet block on the Monaco Reserve. The second drink station (water and electrolyte) is on the grass verge opposite the ASB pool, inside the entrance to the Great Taste Trail. There is a toilet block on the western side of the Recycle Centre, at the end of Fittal St. A third drink station and portaloo is located in Headingly Lane near the cycle trail entry/exit. A toilet block is located half way around the Sandeman reserve loop. Water and electrolyte are also at the finish. Special drinks are not catered for. SEE MAP FOR LOCATIONS.
- First Aid will be present for the duration of the event and are stationed in the Suburbs Clubrooms carpark. There is also a race Tail End Charlie for the half marathon event. The TEC and course marshalls are able to contact key race and first aid personnel.
- Race entrants must not be accompanied on the course by vehicle, cycle or other means.
- All competitors must follow the course as set out at all times, and adhere to directions given by Race Officials. If you wish to retire from or cannot complete the event for any reason, please return to the race venue and report to the finish line personnel before leaving the course.
- Your entry is not transferable to another competitor without the permission of the Race Organisers.
NOTE AGAIN – ALL COURSES ARE OPEN TO PUBLIC ACCESS
General cyclist and public access to the Whakatu Walkway and Great Taste Trail is NOT CLOSED but only managed during the more congested periods of the event, with key access points sign-posted and marshals posted in strategic locations. However, as there are many access points to the walkway that cannot be controlled, cyclists and other users may be encountered on the course. WATCH FOR CYCLISTS AND KEEP LEFT AT ALL TIMES.
PRIZEGIVING & VENUE
Prizegiving will be at the Suburbs Clubrooms at approximately 12.15pm or otherwise as soon as possible after the last runner/walker has finished. Trophies will be awarded to race winners of the half marathon and 10km and all competitors are eligible for a range of spot prizes. Competitors must be at the prizegiving to be eligible to claim major spot prizes. There will be refreshments available for purchase as well as food vendors. There are showers and toilet facilities in the clubrooms for a post-race refresh, and you are encouraged to stay on after you finish and enjoy the atmosphere.
