The Goat Tongariro Info

2025 Wave Start Times.

From the very top of Bruce Road, the event start is via a series of small wave starts, with the first wave (wave 1A) departing the top of the Bruce Road at 9:00am.  The last wave (wave 6C) departs at 9.54am. The staggered start of entrants over 54 minutes is necessary to preserve and protect the pristine environment of the Tongariro National Park and enhance the runner experience in the early stages of the event.

Wave allocation is based on both times submitted by athletes to complete a flat road half marathon, and our stats held on previous Goat finish times. The athletes we predict will be the fastest and have a chance of winning the event will be wave 1A.

The winning male and winning female will be the first to cross the line so if you believe you have a strong chance of winning the overall event please ask the organisers to consider moving you to wave 1A (if you are not there already). All age category winners are based on net time, so your starting wave will not determine your age category placing. The minimum age for participation in the event is 16 years on event day.

Wave 1. A@0900hrs, B@0903hrs, C@0906hrs
Wave 2. A@0909hrs, B@0912hrs, C@0915hrs
Wave 3. A@0918hrs, B@0921hrs, C@0924hrs
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Wave 4. A@0930hrs, B@0933hrs, C@0936hrs
Wave 5. A@0939hrs, B@0942hrs, C@0945hrs
Wave 6. A@0948hrs, B@0951hrs, C@0954hrs

Event Cut-Off Times
The Goat Alpine Adventure run is an exhilarating, challenging, yet achievable alpine run traversing the side of spectacular Mt Ruapehu. The nature of the mountainous terrain with its ascent, descent, twists and turns is measured at approx 20km. The Goat has not been designed as a walking event. Participants need to enter with the intention of running the majority of the distance.

Cut-off point #1. 6.3km mark – 11.29am
Key event marshals will be positioned at the 6.3km mark of the course. All participants will need to reach this cut-off point within 1 hour 35 minutes after their respective wave start time (i.e wave 6C has until 11.29am to reach this point). We strongly believe that unless you reach this point within 1 hour 35 minutes, you will not reach the finish line in time (by 4.29pm which is approx 6 1/2 hours after the Wave 6C starts). Participants who do not make the cut off time will be turned around.  While it is disappointing for the handful of people who have been turned around, continuing as an event athlete is NOT an option if you miss the cut-off. Anyone who is turned around will be accompanied by course personnel back out to the Bruce Road where transport will be arranged to take them to the finish area at Turoa. Those that miss Cut-off point #1 will recieve a DNF on thier timing results.

Cut-off point #2. Finish line – 4.29pm
We strongly believe that unless you reach cut-off point #1 within 1 hour 35 minutes, you will not reach the finish line by 4.29pm –  which is approx 6 1/2 hours after the Wave 6C starts. This event is tough (no doubt about it) so even those who sneak through Cut-off point #1 but have a slower second half of the course than we expect can exit onto the road after our course cut-off for the finish line.  Some entrants who emerge off the track after 4.29pm may be allowed to proceed up the road (depending on our traffic management requirements) to finish “the course”, while others may retire at the Mama’s Mile carpark or be required to retire from the event there.  All entrants who finish after 4.29pm have finished “the course”, but not “the event” as such, and are therefore marked as a DNF in the timing results.

2025 Registration Timeline
Event registration for the Goat Tongariro event participants will take place at the following three times:

1. Friday 17th January. 3.30pm – 9.00pm the night prior to the event at the Powderhorn Chateau, bottom of the Ohakune Mountain Road in Ohakune.

2. Saturday 18th January. 6.00am – 6.45am on event morning at the Powderhorn Chateau, bottom of the Ohakune Mountain Road in Ohakune.

3. Saturday 18th January. 8.00am sharp on event morning at the Start Line, top of Bruce Road, Whakapapa.

(To assist us with our pre event registration staffing requirements please be sure to select the box that most likely represents when you will register for your specific event on event weekend in your online registration)

2025 Registration Rules.
1. You cannot collect race numbers for others.

2. You cannot transfer your race number or wristband to others after picking it up.

(Anyone in breach of the above requirements will be issued a ban from future Goat events – we issued bans in 2017 and we hope to not issue any bans in future events).

2025 Registration Process

1. Your compulsory gear will need to be sighted by our event crew (this includes your sparkly clean & dry shoes)
– At this point your hand will be stamped.

2. Your personal ID will need to be sighted by our event crew (personal ID details must match the details we have for you in our registration system. Our event safety team needs to have the correct details of everyone we release out onto the Goat course).
– At this point your event number/transponder plus any dinner tickets/bus transport wristbands will be issued by our event crew (please don’t lose!), plus your compulsory gear approval wristband will be placed on you.

3. Before you exit please review the up-to-date weather conditions and ask any last minute questions you may have.

Please read this information prior to entering and again prior to event week/arrival at the event to avoid disappointment.

Why Compulsory Gear?
The Goat Tongariro team take the safety of our competitors, marshals and event staff very seriously. During the event course individuals can become up to 8 kilometres away from the nearest access roads as they traverse very rugged alpine terrain in an environment that is incredibly changeable and can be incredibly harsh. Due to the rugged environment and variable weather conditions, it is imperative that all competitors, marshals and event staff on course carry or wear the right gear at all times.

What Compulsory Gear Do I Need To Have?
Regardless of predicted weather conditions all of the following 8 items must be taken to event registration prior to being able to collect your race number/transponder.

1. Clean dry footwear
2. Thermal long sleeved top
3. Thermal beanie
4. Thermal gloves
5. Thermal/survival BAG (Note: survival blankets are not acceptable)
6. Whistle
7. Drink carrying device (Note: due to the isolated environment there are no aid stations on the course.  At the time of year this event is scheduled to take place, and factoring in the type of terrain to be traversed, we would recommend carrying approx 3 litres of water)
8. Suitable SEAM SEALED weather barrier jacket. (Note: Read more information about the jacket required here…)

Consider checking out our sponsors, Opus Fresh for your thermal tops, gloves, and beanie!

You might also want to think about the following items:
– Off road running shoes (instead of road shoes)
– Thermal short sleeved top
– A first aid kit
– Sunscreen
– Sports glasses
– Running cap
– Ankle length gaiters

The majority of the event is off road with surfaces varying from compacted soil, mud (if track is wet), loose and exposed base rock to boardwalks, steps, streams with boulders and the forest floor. Be prepared to get your feet wet and perhaps, at times, a little muddy. There are also some very steep climbs on this event course so some sections are not for the faint hearted!

Do I Need To Take All Of This Compulsory Gear On The Course?
Yes.

At the compulsory pre event briefing (if not before), organisers will notify competitors if the compulsory gear rating for the event will be a Level 1 or a Level 2 event.

A Level 1 event means all compulsory gear shown at pre event registration needs to be taken on your Goat journey but you can make your own decision as to what compulsory gear you will wear on the start line and what compulsory gear you will carry in your pack. (Since the event has moved out of its original December date, all events have been Level 1 events)

A level 2 event means all compulsory gear shown at pre event registration needs to be taken on your Goat journey plus you will only be allowed to move into the start area if you are wearing certain items, which will be announced at or prior to the compulsory pre event briefing in the start area by our event safety team.

Do You Take Compulsory Gear Seriously?
You bet! Random spot checks will also be conducted prior to the start to ensure compliance. Competitors showing non compliance will have their race number and transponder taken from them and will not be permitted to start the event.

Bus Booking Deadlines
Due to planning requirements user pay bus tickets must be booked via the Event Plus store prior to 3.30pm on Tuesday the 14th of January, 2025, so please organise yourself well in advance of this date and avoid disappointment.

Do I Need A Bus?
Only you have the answer to this question.

Supporters attending the event are free to drop entrants off near the START area at the top of Bruce Road and watch the event start.

Supporters are free to collect entrants from the FINISH area from the top of Ohakune Mountain Road.

For those without supporters, user pays bus transport is available.

User Pays Bus Transport Options:

1. Round Trip (Ohakune to Start, plus Finish to Ohakune) – $49.00
2. Pre Event Only (Ohakune to Start) – $39.00
3. Post Event Only (Finish to Ohakune) – $29.00

The buses travel from Ohakune to Iwikau Village, Whakapapa Ski Area (for the START of your adventure) and from Turoa Ski Area (the FINISH of your adventure to Ohakune). The busses do not make stops along the way.

Bus tickets MUST be booked in advanced through your EventPlus account – click here. 

Details of the Saturday Morning Pre Event Bus.

Waves 1-3
For waves 1-3 inclusive, the time to be on the footpath outside The Powderhorn (corner Old Station Road/Mangawhero Terrace) is 6.45am, ready for a 7.00am departure.   You must have pre booked to board.

Wave 4-6
For waves 4-6 inclusive, the time to be on the footpath outside The Powderhorn (corner Old Station Road/Mangawhero Terrace) is 7.15am, ready for a 7.30am departure.   You must have pre booked to board.

Most entrants taking bus transport to the start line will have close to an hour long bus ride from Ohakune.

Details of the Saturday Afternoon Post Event Bus.
Bus transport for Goat entrants leave Turoa (the top of Ohakune Mountain Road) post event at least event 30 minutes from 11.45am through to 4.30pm (the final trip down the mountain).  You must have pre booked to board. All post event buses drop entrants down to the Powderhorn Chateau at the bottom of Ohakune Mountain Road.

Here is the 2025 schedule for the top of Bruce Road:
0800hrs – Late registration opens (if you have advised us you are registering from the top of Bruce Road)
Approx 0800hrs – Buses with Wave 1-3 entrants arrive top of Bruce Road.
Approx 0830hrs – Buses with Wave 4-6 entrants arrive top of Bruce Road.
Approx 0845hrs – Race start area commentary & race countdown begin.  Final briefng notes delivered.
0900hrs – 0924hrs – Wave 1-3 entrants depart.
0930hrs – 0954hrs – Wave 4-6 entrants depart.

What happens pre race starts?
Once at the top of Bruce Road, we like to give you the time & space to do the things you need to do. Most entrants who take bus transport will have an hour to stretch, use the toilet facilities, rearrange your packs for the 10th time, place unwanted gear on our gear bus (which will be transported back to a secure area at Turoa for you) and prepare your thoughts for what is ahead.

Gear Service (Bring your own bag).
On board the gear bus in the start area there will be gear tags, rubber bands and vivids. Please bring your own small bag to place any of your unwanted gear onto.  Grab a tag, tie it to your bag and write your race number on the tag.  The gear bus departs ahead of the first wave (8.59am) so please make sure you have all the gear you want on the gear bus prior to this.  Gear can be collected inside the Café post event up at Turoa.

YOUR SATURDAY AFTERNOON & EVENING TIMELINE

Midday onwards – The first post event bus drops entrants outside the Powderhorn Chateau. Don’t forget to park up at the Powderhorn Chateau for some snacks and hard earned beverages.

4.30pm – Course closure on The Goat Tongariro course.

approx 4.45pm – The final event bus drops entrants outside the Powderhorn Chateau.

4.50pm – ‘The Kid Tongariro’ Event 

Approx 5.40pm to 6.25pm – Event Prizegiving (45 mins)

The Event Prizegiving will be held immediately at the conclusion of The Kid Event on Ngāti Rangi’s Te Urunga property (a 2 minute walk from the Powderhorn Chateau).

Don’t forget to bring the tag from the bottom of your event number to place in the prize draw bin to be eligible for spot prizes. Feel free to come dressed in our After Party theme.

Directions to prizegiving: From the corner of the Powderhorn Chateau, head up Ohakune Mountain Road approx 200m.  You’ll pass over Railway Row and go past the Ngāti Rangi office before turning right into a driveway which leads to the prizegiving venue on grass – if you’re too tired just follow our arrows 😉

If wet, please note that the event prizegiving will be the Ruapehu College School Hall from approx 5.30pm.  It’s a 2km walk away from the Powderhorn Chateau (via Mangawhero Terrace, Shannon Street & Tainui Street) so it may be best for some to drive/carpool if you can.  Entrance is off 30 Tainui Street (almost opposite Puka Lane).

from 6.30pm until late – Powderhorn Chateau (the only place to be!)
Again, don’t forget to park up at the Powderhorn Chateau post prizegiving for some snacks and hard earned beverages, even if you haven’t purchased one of the bbq dinner tickets.

6.30pm – Sitting #1 Barbecue Dinner at The Powderhorn Chateau.
Due to planning requirements user pay barbecue dinner tickets must be booked via the Event Plus store prior to 11:59pm on Thursdsy 9th January 2025 (unless sold out prior). Tickets will not be available after this time so please organise yourself well in advance of this date and avoid disappointment. For more information, prices, and to buy tickets click here.

7.45pm – Sitting #2 Barbecue Dinner at The Powderhorn Chateau.
Due to planning requirements user pay barbecue dinner tickets must be booked via the Event Plus store prior to 11:59pm on Thursdsy 9th January 2025 (unless sold out prior). Tickets will not be available after this time so please organise yourself well in advance of this date and avoid disappointment. For more information, prices, and to buy tickets click here.

from 9.00pm until super late – The Infamous Goat After Party
An institution of The Goat, again at the Powderhorn Chateau – enough said.
The 2025 After Party details will be released here soon.

The Goat Tongariro traverses some awe-inspiring wilderness and we need to make sure nothing we do will damage or alter this natural habitat. The pristine streams and rivers within the World Heritage Park are the home of the rare NZ Whio (blue duck) and will be forever changed if freshwater pests like Didymo become established.

To compete in this event you must have clean gear before you start. Please arrive with clean, dry footwear otherwise you will have to wash your shoes at registration. The Department of Conservation will have CCD cleaning equipment available.

– All competitors must have clean dry shoes – this means they have been dry for at least 48 hours prior to the race. If not dry then please clean & soak with a 5% detergent solution for 1 minute.
– The organisers reserve the right to implement any other Check Clean Dry precautions as they see fit.
– We ask that you Check Clean Dry your shoes post event, prior to entering any other fresh waterway.
For more information go to www.biosecurity.govt.nz/cleaning

Please direct your Goat queries to the following email addresses:
For entry and event transport related queries please email entries@thegoat.co.nz
For general event queries please email info@thegoat.co.nz