Welcome to the Great Naseby Water Race

The Great Naseby Water Race is a unique New Zealand Ultramarathon event held in Central Otago.The 2009 race was a great success, thanks in no small part to the support of our sponsors, and 2010 promises to be even better.

This year, in the pre-dawn gloom at 6:00AM, runners in the 100km event will leave the start line and head through the forests around Naseby. The route they will follow largely parallels a waterrace built to supply the goldfields of the 1870's. By 10AM the last entrants, competing in the 50km individual race, will be on their way as well, treading in the frosty footsteps of the earlier starters. We hope that you'll be among them because we know that you'll enjoy the day as much as we do.

Competitors can choose to enter in 50km, 80km or 100km individual events or a 60km two person team event. There are open, masters 35+ and masters 50+ classes for men and women plus a mixed team category. If you are up to the challenge we are keen to see you here.

Naseby is a wonderful town, rich in gold mining history, set in the scenic Maniototo plains. It hosts New Zealand's only Ice Luge (open to the public) and the only dedicated indoor Curling venue in the country. If you try your hand at Curling and don't show any talent you can always console yourself with a dram at one of the local hotels afterwards!

Less than an hour from Alexandra, or an hour and a half from Queenstown, Naseby is a great jumping off point for a trip to the adventure playground that is Central Otago. With the Cardrona, Coronet Peak, Remarkables, Treble Cone and Waiorau Ski-fields all close at hand this is the perfect opportunity to combine an Ultra-marathon with some breathtaking sightseeing and outdoor adventure.

You can find information about the race format, its location, the surrounding area, past events and race records here. You can also enter online or contact us with any questions and view a gallery of images from previous years ultramarathon events. For links to tips on Ultramarathon preparation or participation you can look here.

If we've missed something out, or you need help organising your trip, please let us know.