The 'big dog' of the event, the Full Nugget Multisport Race is a must-do on every multisporter's calendar. Road bike, kayak, trail run, and mountain bike your way from downtown Waihi to Waihi Beach, Homunga Bay, and back to our spectacular finish line at Waihi's iconic pumphouse.
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The race takes in the highlights of this great outdoor playground and can be entered as an individual or enjoyed with friends as part of a team.
Race Details
| Total Distance | 72 km |
| 23 km Road Cycle | |
| 10 km Kayak | |
| 7 km Road Cycle | |
| 10 km Coastal Trail Run | |
| 22 km Mountain Bike | |
| 400 m Final Solo/Team Run to the finish | |
| FRIDAY | |
| Registration Venue | Waihi RSA - 71 Seddon Ave, Waihi |
| Registration Time | 4.30 pm to 9.00 pm |
| Full Race Briefing | 8.00 pm. Waihi RSA - 71 Seddon Ave, Waihi |
| SATURDAY | |
| Late Registration | 6.00 am at Waihi i-SITE by prior arrangement |
| Transitions open | 6.00 am T1, T2 & T3. 6.30 am T4. Open for equipment drop-off |
| Race Start Location | At the Poppet Headframe - 138 Seddon St, Waihi |
| Final Race Briefing | 7.45 am at the start line - all Individuals and Team Cyclists |
| Race Start | 8.00 am |
| Cut-off Times | Kayak: 12.00 pm at T1 - Bowentown Park |
| Run: 1.30 pm at T3 - Ngatitangata Rd | |
| MTB: 3.00 pm at the MTB midpoint | |
| Final: 4.00 pm at the Finish Line | |
| Prize-giving Venue | Waihi Memorial Hall - 41 Seddon St, Waihi |
| Prize-giving Venue Open | 6.00 pm for drinks and meals |
| Prize-giving Starts | 7.15 pm |
Course Description
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LEG 1 - 23 km ROAD BIKE
The Full Nugget kicks off nice and easy with a ‘downhill’ road cycle leg. We use a controlled ‘parade start’ from under the massive poppet headframe at the top of Seddon Street. Once the lead vehicle lets you go, it’s all on.
The course leads you through quiet country roads, with only a couple of small climbs, before dropping down through the Beach Gorge. At the bottom of the Gorge you'll turn south along Seaforth Road to T1 at Pios Beach. Here you’ll transition from your road bike to your kayak.
The ride descends 110 m overall, is draft-legal, and a fantastic way to kick off the big event.
BIKE-KAYAK-BIKE TRANSITION (T1) MAP
ROAD BIKE LEG COURSE PROFILE
Profile: LEG 1 - 23 km ROAD BIKE
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LEG 2 - Ruahine Kayaks - 10 km HARBOUR PADDLE
The harbour kayak course starts and finishes near the Bowentown Boating Club at Pios Beach. It takes you on a safe and scenic paddle, south via Blakenys Channel to Tanners Point and return. You’ll paddle past the boat moorings and around to the head of the Tuapiro estuary, where you'll turn around and return via the same route to T1, the kayak-bike transition.
The paddle is very scenic and generally calm in most tides and weather conditions. If you're unlucky enough to take a dip, you will always be very close to shallow water or a sand bank, and there will be plenty of marshal boats out on the water to assist you.
The course will appeal to all kayakers. Race leaders will find it provides a good challenge if they push hard, but those new to paddling will enjoy a safe and picturesque paddle.
You're welcome to paddle Waka Ama and SUPs, but there are no separate divisions for these craft. Note that if you are in a team, your Waka must be a single person vessel.
A Personal Floatation Device is compulsory for the kayak leg.
BIKE-KAYAK-BIKE TRANSITION (T1) MAP
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LEG 3 - 7 km ROAD BIKE
This short road bike leg will take you from T1 to T2, the run transition at Coronation Park, Waihi Beach. It’s a flat ride that’s lots of fun and you’ll make short work of the fast 7 km of tarmac.
Dismount your bike at T2, and prepare for the awesome coastal trail run leg...
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LEG 4 - 10 km COASTAL TRAIL RUN
The run leg is a gem, and has everything you could possibly want from a trail run. You'll start at T2, Coronation Park and head north along Waihi Beach for about a kilometer before hitting the Orokawa Track which will take onto some of the most scenic trails around.
The course carves its way along the coast on undulating single track, under the pohutukawa canopy at Orokawa Bay and on to secluded Homunga Bay. Save some energy for "The Nugget Climb of Death" as you then tackle the 200 m ascent up to T3. Run done! You've made it to the mountain bike transition at Ngatitangata Road.
This is a stand-out run course that will always leave you breathless.
Local knowledge - tips for the run.
"One of the better short trail runs in New Zealand. It has everything and is by no means fast. Steep, pinchy climbs, technical sections, drops, places you can only walk, butt-clinching passes around cliff edges and awesome scenery. Whatever you do, save a good proportion of your energy for the last 20 minutes, it's a tough climb up to the transition"
Garry Towler
10 km COASTAL TRAIL RUN - COURSE PROFILE
Profile: LEG 4 - 10 km COASTAL TRAIL RUN
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LEG 5 - 22 km MOUNTAIN BIKE
This ride's got it all. You’ll build into your bike legs early on great farm tracks that lead to a really fun descent. A couple of cattle races, some more great farm tracks, and two stream crossings later you’ll arrive at the MTB park for some sweet, flowing single track.
And for dessert! We've saved the best bits for last... so it's up Le Grinder, down through Jaws and Rollercoaster, along Flat-Sticks to Riverdance before hitting the fast and sweeping Riverbank Terrace Track.
The Waihi MTB group is always busy over summer adding new 'twists' and maintaining the park’s trails, so there's always plenty of sweet single-track ready for the Nugget.
After the MTB Park, the course leads you through the historic gold mining features on Union Hill before finishing on the scenic Pit Rim Walkway which then takes you for an exclusive trip inside the gold mine gates and around to T4, your final transition.
MTB-FINAL RUN TRANSITION (T4) MAP
22 km MTB - COURSE PROFILE
Profile: LEG 5 - 22 km MOUNTAIN BIKE
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LEG 6 - 400 m TEAM / SOLO RUN TO THE FINISH
If you're part of a team, then this is where you and your team-mates come together and you all complete the final run together and share the glory of finishing the Full Nugget.
If you're tackling the race solo, then you’ll throw on your runners, do your hair, and wipe your nose before your final push to the cheering crowds at the finish line, just a few tough minutes away... but you can hear the music and smell the sausages...
The final short, flat run takes you from T4, along a mine road to the finish chute on the edge of the huge Martha gold mine and the finish line at the shadow of the Cornish Pumphouse - mission complete!
Extra (Important) Information
AID Stations
You should prepare to be self sufficient for the duration of your race or leg(s). You will need to organise your own fluid and nutrition at each transition and then carry enough to get you through each leg.
There are no Aid Stations on the run course until you reach T3, at the end of the run leg. There are three on the MTB course; at about 5 km, 8 km & 18 km. These are intended as a top-up supply only.
Note that all Aid Stations are accessible by road, so it is possible for your support crew to meet you to supply you with extra fluid and nutrition. This must only be done at the official Aid Stations. See the Support Crew Map for Aid Station locations.
Cups will not be provided at any Aid Stations. Please BYO cup/bottle or carry your own hydration needs to help us reduce our event waste.
Support Crews
Support crews are not mandatory for individual athletes, and will probably have no impact on your race result. However they will make your logistics easier and are recommended if you are doing the Full Nugget or the Half Nugget solo.
- On the first road bike leg, support crews must either travel ahead of the lead vehicle or wait, and travel behind the 'Tail-end Charlie'. For safety and congestion reasons, do not follow your rider in your vehicle.
- We ask supporters and spectators to travel via SH-2 and Waihi Beach Road to get to T1 please.
- Support crews are only allowed to assist competitors at the start and end of the kayak leg. Support crews can help competitors in and out of their kayaks at the water's edge.
- Support crews will drop kayaks at T1 - Pios Beach and store them in an orderly fashion as instructed by the marshals.
- Support crews are NOT allowed to provide any assistance inside any transition area, and may only enter a transition area when dropping off or collecting equipment.
- Support crews must not touch another competitor's race gear.
- Support crews should collect gear once competitors have gone through transition.
- Please collect ALL of your gear as soon as possible after your race.
Please drive carefully on all roads, especially the narrow country roads and gravel. Allow plenty of time to get to your destination, and expect some delays as there will be lots of extra traffic on the road on race day.See the Support Crew Map for the location of Aid Stations and Transition Areas, plus other essentials like coffee and toilets.
IMPORTANT GUIDELINES AND RACE RULES
ROAD CYCLISTS
- All roads are open. Obey the normal road rules our marshal's directions.
- The start will be neutralised for about 1.5 km. Follow the lead vehicle, and DO NOT overtake the lead vehicle.
- Cyclists should self-seed at the start line according to their experience and fitness level.
- Please don't litter.
KAYAKERS
- LIFE JACKETS (PFDs) ARE COMPULSORY FOR ALL PADDLERS - yes, even Skis, SUPs, Waka Ama and the cool kids.
- Kayakers should be competent at paddling their selected craft, and have the ability to self-rescue in the event of a capsize.
- A vertically raised paddle is the recognised help signal.
- Kayakers should understand basic boating rules and regional bylaws.
- If you must withdraw from the kayak leg, you will be helped back to T1. You will be allowed to continue with the race, but you or your team will not be ranked.
- Please don't litter.
COASTAL TRAIL RUNNERS
- Stay on the marked track at all times. Follow our red on white course arrows.
- There are no aid stations on the coastal run leg. There is a public toilet at the north end of Orokawa Bay, just beyond the William Wright Falls turnoff. Please use it, and not the Conservation Park.
- Please don't litter.
MOUNTAIN BIKERS
- Stay on the marked track at all times. Respect the private farmland.
- Ride within your skill limit.
- There are three Aid Stations on the course, with water, electrolyte drink and fruit; they are at approx. 5 km, 8 km and 18 km. They do not have any cups - we are a cupless event.
- Please don't litter.
FINAL RUNNERS - INSIDE THE GOLD MINE
- It is crucial that you stay on the marked course and follow the marshal's directions. We are privileged to have exclusive access to this vital link track, please respect it.
Cut-Off Times
There will be cut-offs at;
- T1 - The end of the first road cycle leg. 9.30 am
- T1 - The end of the kayak leg. 11.30 am
- T3 - The end of the coastal run leg. 1.30 pm
- The mountain bike leg mid-point. 3.00 pm. NOTE: You can still finish the leg. You will be diverted on a shorter route and you will finish unranked.
- The finish line cut-off is 4.00 pm at the Cornish Pumphouse.
This allows a generous eight hours for competitors to complete the event.
Cut-Off Procedures
If you cannot complete a leg or are forced to stop or withdraw from a leg, the following procedures will be followed:
- For teams who do not make the published cut off times, the next team member will be allowed to continue at the published cut off time, but your team will be unranked.
- Individuals who miss a cut-off may elect to miss the next leg and continue the race unranked.
- You will not be permitted to return to that discipline, but you can recommence the event with the next leg.
- If you have been rescued on the kayak leg, you will be taken to the nearest beach or transition area. Or if you withdraw from the leg by landing on the beach please ensure you advise a race official of your location and condition as soon as possible - this will save us looking for you unnecessarily.
- When you get to the next transition area, advise an official that you did not complete the leg and hand over to your team mate, who can continue the rest of the course unranked.
- All team members should still gather at T4, the end of the mountain bike leg for the final team run to the finish.
- Your team will not be ranked or placed but you can still complete the event.
