Taranaki’s Off-Road Half Marathon Concludes with Final Race

The tenth edition of the popular off-road half marathon in Taranaki will take place this weekend, marking the final event in its history. Organisers confirmed that after launching in 2017, this race will conclude a journey that has seen hundreds of competitors traversing rugged terrain around Lake Mangamahoe, including mountain bike tracks, forestry roads, and gravel paths.

Event organiser Matt Cleaver, who founded the marathon alongside Warren Drought, expressed mixed feelings about the decision to end this beloved event. “We’ve had our fun, we’ve done our community service, and on a personal level for both of us, it’s probably time to free up a bit of extra time,” Cleaver stated.

The marathon evolved from a trail series the duo had been running since 2013. Over the years, Cleaver noted that the event faced increasing challenges, particularly concerning health and safety requirements. Additionally, securing sponsorship became more difficult as the landscape changed. “Every time you lose a sponsor, it takes time and energy to go and get another one,” he explained. Despite having loyal sponsors such as Good Home, Frontrunner, and Body Logic, the financial pressures took a toll.

Cleaver highlighted the event’s role in providing a motivational platform for participants. “I’d like to think it would be missed because it’s a unique event, being an off-road half,” he remarked. The number of entrants peaked in 2021, with a record 595 participants. For this final race, approximately 450 runners are expected to take part.

Reflecting on past events, Cleaver revealed that the most rewarding moments came from witnessing participants achieve personal milestones. “Our biggest highlights are not a single one but just seeing people accomplish something they didn’t think they could achieve,” he said.

As this chapter closes, Cleaver is looking forward to new possibilities. He has aspirations of organising a 50km off-road ultra marathon, similar to notable events like the Tarawera Ultra and the Kepler Challenge, showcasing the scenic tracks and walkways throughout Taranaki. “If anybody’s going to do it, it needs to be us just because we know with ultras it’s off-road and it’s complex,” he said. “We’ve got the environment to do it. We’ll take a bit of time off and see how much we miss it.”

As the Taranaki off-road half marathon takes its final stride, participants and organisers alike will cherish the memories made over the past ten years, celebrating both the spirit of competition and the beauty of the landscape that hosted them.