Mt Lyford Challenge is a mountain race over spectacular high country terrain.  Designed to cater for all levels of fitness and skill, you will find a race to suit from the 3 race lengths that make up the Challenge: the Youth Challenge, Bushline Challenge and Classic Challenge.  Runners and walker categories.

The Mt Terako Challenge is a mountain racers dream with ridge running, 4 amazing screed slopes, rock hopping, and waterfalls.  Rated as “NZ’s Most Extreme Mountain Run”.

Next Race Date: Sunday 10 November 2013 (tbc)

2012 Race information and Terms and Conditions 

Races start and finish at Mt Lyford ski road toll gate just above Mt Lyford Village.
Registration opens Friday 16th March 7.30 -9.00pm and Saturday 17 March from 7.30am
Race briefing and start times vary - see race information
Prizegiving is at 2.15pm at the Toll Gates

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MT LYFORD CLASSIC CHALLENGE
3 walking and running races to choose from ... 

1. Mt Lyford Alpine Resort Challenge … 9km with a 865m climb. This challenge is Canterbury’s premier adventure race, designed for experienced runners or walkers and new comers to adventure mountain racing. A good level of fitness is required for this challenge.

2. De Kikker Vijver Lodge Bushline Challenge… 4km with a 400m climb. The De Kikker Vijver Bushline Challenge is designed for newcomers to adventure mountain racing. Average fitness required.

3. MACPAC Junior Challenge… 3km with a 130m climb. This is a great way to introduce 7 – 14 year olds to mountain running and adventure racing. This cross-country challenge is run on well formed tracks.

VASQUE Mt Terako Challenge

Recognised as New Zealand's most challenging adventure run. This is adventure running at its very best, in fact
“This is the most technically challenging adventure run under 30kms in New Zealand”.

Are you looking for a technical race that includes screed slopes, boulder hopping, bush routes, ridge running, creeks, waterfalls and an element of navigation?  We believe that the Terako Challenge is the only short course in New Zealand offering all these elements. Run over a course of 20km with a 2040m climb, much of the uphill route follows the mountain ridge with the downhill through bush, creek valleys usually inaccessible to the public. The Vasque - Mt Terako Challenge is for the experienced only.  If you are an adventure racer, rogainer, orienteer, mountain runner or 'fast trampers' you will love the challenges this race offers.

Merivale Paper Plus Schools Challenge

What a great opportunity for your school. There are 1st, 2nd and 3rd place Paperplus Merivale vouchers based on the number of people who select to support your school. Children, parents and adults connected to your school and competing in any of the Mt Lyford Challenge Races will be counted towards your school. Note: You must register your connection to the school before the first race starts.

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Positioned in the stunning Mt Lyford resort area, the event is just a short 1 ¾ hours’ drive from Christchurch or 55 minutes from Kaikoura, with spectacular 360° views of the Kaikoura and Amuri Ranges, the Pacific Ocean and down the Waiau Valley. It’s a great idea to make a weekend of it, staying in your very own Log Cabin in the Mt Lyford Village just 1 or 2 km’s from the start / finish area. Now is the time to get your family / friends together and book a night or weekend away to be part of Mt Lyford and Mt Terako Challenge.

“We would like to acknowledge the support of the landowners (Mt Lyford Alpine Resort, Mt Terako Station and DOC) for the Mt Lyford Challenge. At their request we ask that participants do not use the race routes for practice prior to the race start”.

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Your entry into these events acknowledges that you have read the race rules and conditions (download from this page).

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