During the 1840’s when settlers were establishing themselves in Nelson and Blenheim, notable explorers such as Thomas Brunner, William Fox, Charles Heaphy and J.S.Spooner were pushing deep into the south-east of Nelson Province. John Silvanus Cotterell of the New Zealand Company was surveying a route between Nelson and the Wairau Valley when from Tophouse he noticed a gap in the mountains to the south-west.

It was not until 1843, however when exploring the upper reaches of the Motueka and Motupiko Valleys that he came upon a lake reported by Maori to be in the area, which is now named Rotoiti … previously Rotu iti and Arthur.

Nelson Events began looping the lake back in 1996. Now it’s your turn to discover (or rediscover) one of our jewels as you run around New Zealand’s best alpine lakeland circuit.

The course is an anticlockwise circuit of Lake Rotoiti commencing from the Lake Rotoiti waterfront. Approximately 25km.

The Alpine Lodge Loop the Lake like the Abel Tasman Coastal Classic and Captain Cook’s Landing events is conducted through a concession contract with the Department of Conservation, and is limited to 400* competitors to minimise impact on the trail. Annually the field usually sells out as the reputation of this track and its location, the Nelson Lakes National Park is somewhat renowned. The experience is alpine and bush trail with the possibility that participants will experience all alpine weather conditions during the event – yes, it has snowed before! Brrrrrr!

This one, is a fantastic introduction to trail running – many runners have had their first taste of off road running by completing this one. For more information about the Nelson Lakes area, check out the Department of Conservation website and/or the Nelson Lakes web site www.destinationnelsonlakes.co.nz

Race packs will be available on the morning of the event.

Compulsory clothing/gear will be inspected at check in and then random gear checks thereafter.

Start 9.15am. Compulsory clothing/gear will be inspected at check in and then random gear checks thereafter.

This is compulsory and will take place on the Lake Rotoiti lakefront 15 minutes prior to start.

All food/supplement wrappers etc must be numbered to comply with the track’s pack-in pack-out rubbish policy.

Competitors are advised to carry their own water.

Water packs can be refilled at the head of the lake from natural sources at competitor’s risk, check the DOC website for up to date information on water quality. There are no water stations on the course.

Prizegiving at the Alpine Lodge.

Prizes: Performance and spot prizes will be awarded in all age groups.
(First only – less than 7 entries, 2nd – less than 10, 3rd – with 10 or more)
Runners – Under 40, 40-49, 50-59, 60+

In the event of extreme weather conditions the organising committee reserves the right to set an alternative course or to cancel the event. This decision would be made on the morning of the event, and notification made at Event HQ (the Lake Rotoiti Community Hall).

If river levels deemed too high to cross, a decision will be made by the Event Director as to an out and back option.

*The course changed in 2009 whereby the start was moved to the lakefront, prior to this, the start was outside the DOC Centre.