
Wellington Festival
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WHAT: XTERRA Wellington Festival
WHEN: January 29, 2022
WHERE: Queen Elizabeth Park, Wellington, New Zealand
Welcome to the newest and most exciting XTERRA Triathlon on the planet! XTERRA Wellington is a completely unique, off road triathlon, duathlon and trail running experience. There is no other coastal triathlon like it in NZ or indeed the world.
The XTERRA Wellington Festival embraces the rugged coastal landscape of Kāpiti, just 50km from Wellington, New Zealand, linking the beach to the mountains in a wickedly West Coast way.
On a good day this course is ready to be taken apart, but underestimate her at your own peril. This rugged New Zealand beach offers an unpredictable sea, a mountain bike trail with 800m of climbing and a great mix of gravel racing and single track downhill that'll make your legs burn on the way up, but make up for it with all the thrills of the ride down. And the run courses...oh, the run courses. The views will inspire you but with the wrong wind, they might just break you, too.
IT’S CLASSIFIED AS A REAL RACERS COURSE:
- A two-lap sea swim (can be choppy, but not big and adds to the flavor)
- The MTB is not super technical. It features one grade-three downhill, two big climbs, a great mix of single and gravel 4WD tracks which allows for good racing, but you have to be on your game. Downhills are fast and the forest and views are spectacular.
- The run is through coastal dunes. Not big hill running, but very undulating and hard to find rhythm which keeps you on your toes.
The majority of our field will be made up of people wanting to take on the challenge and enjoy XTERRA for what it is — a family and lifestyle. There's something for everyone at every level and we welcome visitors to compete with the elites in the main event or take part purely for the enjoyment with options including the Super 6km Trail Run, 31K mountain bike race, duathlon, or sprint events.
Triathlon prize money - NZD10,000 along with 19 slots into the XTERRA World Championship.
RACES
XTERRA Wellington Full Distance Off-Road Triathlon
Date: January 29, 2022
Location: Queen Elizabeth Park, Wellington, New Zealand
Distances: Swim: 1 km | Mountain Bike: 31 km | Run: 10 km
XTERRA Wellington Short Distance Off-Road Triathlon
Date: January 29, 2022
Location: Queen Elizabeth Park, Wellington, New Zealand
Distances: Swim: 0.5 km | Mountain Bike: 14 km | Run: 6 km
XTERRA Wellington Duathlon
Date: January 29, 2022
Location: Queen Elizabeth Park, Wellington, New Zealand
Distances: Mountain Bike: 31 km | Run: 10 km
XTERRA Wellington Mountain Bike Race
Date: January 29, 2022
Location: Queen Elizabeth Park, Wellington, New Zealand
Distance: Mountain Bike: 31 km
XTERRA Wellington 21km Trail Run
Date: January 29, 2022
Location: Queen Elizabeth Park, Wellington, New Zealand
XTERRA Wellington 14km Trail Run
Date: January 29, 2022
Location: Queen Elizabeth Park, Wellington, New Zealand
XTERRA Wellington 6km Trail Run
Date: January 29, 2022
Location: Queen Elizabeth Park, Wellington, New Zealand
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
THURSDAY, February 11, 2021
15:00 - 19:00 Registration - Bivouac Outdoors: 39 Mercer St, Wellington
FRIDAY, February 12, 2021
16:00 - 21:00 Registration - Venue TBC: Paraparaumu
SATURDAY, February 13, 2021
06:00 - 09:00 Registration - Queen Elizabeth Park
8:03 - 14km Run/Walk
8:03 - Half Marathon Run/Walk
8:20 - 6km Run/Walk
9:35 - 31km MTB Ride
9:35 - Duathlon (Bike/Run)
10:00 - XTERRA Individuals – Short Course
10:00 - XTERRA Teams – Short Course
11:30 - XTERRA Individuals – Long Course
11:30 - XTERRA Teams – Long Course
*NB: Times may change before event at Director’s discretion.
16:00 - All Awards
4:00pm – All Awards
*XTERRA Wellington Award ceremony is not just an awards. It is the perfect conclusion to a perfect Kāpiti event. Thanks to Wellington Stretch Tents sit back to enjoy a cool glass of Tuatara Aotearoa Pale Ale and enjoy our local music, food, hospitality, spot prizes and award presentation. All in the shadow of our glorious Ramaroa Rooms. All spot prizes will be drawn at the awards. You must be in attendance to claim your prize.
COURSE INFORMATION
XTERRA Wellington Full Distance Off-Road Triathlon
Distances: Swim: 1 km | Mountain Bike: 31 km | Run: 10 km
1000m two lap swim. The sea in Kapiti is pretty tame however with the wrong swell the waves get up and the chop comes in. This sea doesn’t get dangerous but does get rough. The course will take you along the shore and a 100m run back to transition. This swim will work well for the aggressive swimmer but is just as enjoyable for a first timer.
The Mountain bike has a fast start and it will do you well to get into some space. A wonderful winding path out of the park gets you onto the single link track to Campbell’s Mill road. The link is a good climb but the best of us will push hard up here. Campbells mill is a 4WD track with plenty of places to attack and you will have climbed for about 7km by the time you get to the top. If you have time take a stop and enjoy the view. It is worth it. The track then pushes over into the Akatarawas where you will be surrounded by New Zealand bush as you race down Whakatiki. Watch your step here it is fast and the corners can pounce. The far section of the course will split the pack. Small undulations, river crossings and a strong ride up the valley leads to the final climb. Save some energy for this one it can get rocky and steep. Drive your way to the top however and you are set for a glorious ride home down Campbells Mill. The final pièce da résistance is Red Tape, a fast downhill where the brave will make up some good time. The ride home follows Yankee trail with a chance to stretch the legs back into transition.
Once you exit transition you will find 10km of undulating dune bliss. No serious climbs but the constant undulation can make this run quite tricky. Plus look out for the wind on a bad day. The pain will slip away as you enjoy amazing views at every turn. Definitely stop to enjoy the view if you get some time.
XTERRA Wellington Short Distance Off-Road Triathlon
Distances: Swim: 0.5 km | Mountain Bike: 14 km | Run: 6 km
500m ocean swim. The sea in Kapiti is pretty tame however with the wrong swell the waves get up and the chop comes in. This sea doesn’t get dangerous but does get rough. The course will take you along the shore and a 100m run back to transition.
Once you are on the bike you will enjoy a stunning 12km MTB with a mix of gravel trails and single track fun. Wind your way out of the park, under the expressway and into Whareroa Farm. Here you will find a superb trail that climbs through the beautiful regenerating bush before making your way down Red Tape. A fast twisting, turning, technical downhill and back. A few ponds and the Yankee trail brings you back to the beach.
Our 6km run winds its way along the beautiful dunes of Queen Elizabeth park. Its beautiful views will make up for the undulation in this quintessentially coastal New Zealand run and that is why we love it. You will wind your way back through transition before your final 2km so can feel the buzz and the atmosphere to spur you on those last couple of K’s.
XTERRA Wellington Duathlon
Distances: Mountain Bike: 31 km | Run: 10 km
This is one of the best Bike Runs you will do. It’s tough, technical and outright fun. Set up to have something for everyone come prepared and you will be smiling from start to finish.
The Mountain bike has a fast start and it will do you well to get into some space. A wonderful winding path out of the park gets you onto the single link track to Campbell’s Mill road. The link is a good climb but the best of us will push hard up here. Campbells mill is a 4WD track with plenty of places to attack and you will have climbed for about 7km by the time you get to the top. If you have time take a stop and enjoy the view. It is worth it. The track then pushes over into the Akatarawas where you will be surrounded by New Zealand bush as you race down Whakatiki. Watch your step here it is fast and the corners can pounce. The far section of the course will split the pack. Small undulations, river crossings and a strong ride up the valley leads to the final climb. Save some energy for this one it can get rocky and steep. Drive your way to the top however and you are set for a glorious ride home down Campbells Mill. The final pièce da résistance is Red Tape, a fast downhill where the brave will make up some good time. The ride home follows Yankee trail with a chance to stretch the legs back into transition.
Once you exit transition you will find 10km of undulating dune bliss. No serious climbs but the constant undulation can make this run quite tricky. Plus look out for the wind on a bad day. The pain will slip away as you enjoy amazing views at every turn. Definitely stop to enjoy the view if you get some time.
XTERRA Wellington Mountain Bike Race
Distance: Mountain Bike: 31 km
The Mountain bike has a fast start and it will do you well to get into some space. A wonderful winding path out of the park gets you onto the single link track to Campbell’s Mill road. The link is a good climb but the best of us will push hard up here. Campbells mill is a 4WD track with plenty of places to attack and you will have climbed for about 7km by the time you get to the top. If you have time take a stop and enjoy the view. It is worth it. The track then pushes over into the Akatarawas where you will be surrounded by New Zealand bush as you race down Whakatiki. Watch your step here it is fast and the corners can pounce. The far section of the course will split the pack. Small undulations, river crossings and a strong ride up the valley leads to the final climb. Save some energy for this one it can get rocky and steep. Drive your way to the top however and you are set for a glorious ride home down Campbells Mill. The final pièce da résistance is Red Tape, a fast downhill where the brave will make up some good time. The ride home follows Yankee trail with a chance to stretch the legs back into transition.
XTERRA Wellington 21km Trail Run
Starting at Whareroa Beach wind your way out of the park, under the expressway and into Whareroa Farm. Here you will find a superb trail through the beautiful Kohekohe and gum forest then up a mountain bike link track before making your way down a fantastic twisting, turning downhill and back. A few ponds and the Yankee trail brings you back to the beach. Once you get back to transition the journey is not over as you will wind your way through the dunes enjoying wonderful trails, spectacular views where the undulation takes some focus to get a rhythm you can work with.
XTERRA Wellington 14km Trail Run
Starting at Whareroa Beach wind your way out of the park, under the expressway and into Whareroa Farm. Here you will find a superb trail through the beautiful Kohekohe and gum forest then up a mountain bike link track before making your way down a fantastic twisting, turning downhill and back. A few ponds and the Yankee trail brings you back to the beach where glory awaits.
XTERRA Wellington 6km Trail Run
Date: April 1st, 2020
Location: Queen Elizabeth Park, Wellington, New Zealand
Our 6km run winds its way along the beautiful dunes of Queen Elizabeth park. Its beautiful views will make up for the undulation in this quintessentially coastal New Zealand run and that is why we love it. You will wind your way back through transition before your final 2km so can feel the buzz and the atmosphere to spur you on those last couple of K’s.
CONDITIONS
- In the case of the event being cancelled for safety reasons or a natural disaster, entry fees will not be refunded or transferred.
- For the XTERRA Individual and Team events you have to be 14 years of age or older on race day to compete.
- For the 21km event you have to be 14 years of age or older on race day to compete.
- For the 6km and 14km events there is no age requirement, but all kids under 10 years of age, must be accompanied by an adult.
- Pro athletes will not be eligible for age group awards and will only be able to qualify for Pro slots at the XTERRA World Championships in Maui, Hawaii.
- All entries are non-refundable and non-transferable
- Late Entry fee of an additional $10, will apply as of Thursday, January 30 at 11:55pm
PRIZE INFORMATION
Maui Qualifying info
Qualification places for the world championships in Maui is for the XTERRA Coastal Triathlon only.
Athletes looking to qualify must enter the standard wave. Athletes looking to compete for the prize money and professional qualification spots must enter the pro wave when registering.
Qualifying Spots by age group from the XTERRA Wellington Championships to the World Championship race will be issued as below.
Qualifying Spots will be awarded on XTERRA World Tour requirements of age as of December 31, 2021
XTERRA Wellington has the right to roll down slots to the next qualified applicant in the event. To claim your spot or for more information contact Carrie on Carrie [at] barefootsport.co.nz.
Pro athletes will not be eligible for age group awards and will only be able to qualify for Pro slots at the XTERRA World Championships in Maui, Hawaii.
SLOTS ARE TBD
ACCOMMODATION
DESTINATION KAPITI
We have partnered with Destination Kapiti to allow you to maximise your stay on our shores. Check out their website for all the info on where to stay, what to do and the best places to eat.
PAEKAKARIKI HOLIDAY PARK
For a truly unique Kāpiti experience check out our accommodation partners Paekakariki Holiday Park and camp 10 minutes walk from transition and the after party. Quote XTERRA on booking for an XTERRA Discount.
AIR BNB
Plus you will find HEAPS of Air BnB's that are the perfect spot to relax after a race.
DIRECTIONS
Looking for info on how to get here? It's easy as bro! Kāpiti is 55 minutes by train from Wellington City. Just a hop skip and a jump really.
You can fly direct from Auckland to Paraparaumu Airport & Air Chathams will sort you out with all the info you will need.
Not in Auckland? Don't worry. Fly directly into Wellington Airport from all over the globe. They have direct flights from Singapore, Melbourne and Brisbane.
But the best way to get here? Hire a car throw your bike on the roof and enjoy all that NZ has to offer.
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY










RACE DIRECTOR
CONTACT
Tel: 021 775 432
E-mail: bengy [at] barefootsport.co.nz
Address: 3 Martin road, Paraparaumu, NZ
2022 EVENT CANCELLED DUE TO COVID