A popup running and walking event across Wanaka’s challenging Skyline track is being organised for next Saturday (April 10).

The event has been put together by Wanaka local and freeride skier Craig Murray, who said the purpose is to create an event suitable for a range of people, from fit and motivated youngsters to experts or even just “friends taking on the trail for the first time to share the views”.

“With events being cancelled and postponed more than usual, I thought why not give Wanaka a smaller event for the calendar. It's close to home with beautiful revealing views and an opportunity to get out before winter sets in,” he said. 

The main 23.5k race, the Full Gritt, includes a vertical climb of 1530m over Mt Alpha and Roys Peak, from the starting point at Spotts Creek car park, on the Cardrona Valley Road, to the finish at the Roys Peak carpark, on Mt Aspiring Road.

There are also Full Gritt categories for veterans (50+ years) and those younger than 19-years-old, as well as a fun three kilometre short course for ‘Little Gritters’ aged under 14-years-old, which starts and finishes at the Roys Peak car park.

Craig Murray PHOTO: Supplied

Free buses will be provided for Full Gritt competitors from the registration area at Roys Peak to the starting point at Spotts Creek.

For the competitors’ safety six marshals will be stationed along the course, complete with first aid provisions, radios and satellite phones, and a course tail-end Charlie will be carrying extra nutrition, a radio, first aid kit, water, a personal locator beacon and a satellite phone.

Entries are open and there’s already good interest in the event from New Zealand and South Island running groups and early indications suggest the event will attract between 100-150 attendees, Craig said. 

Craig has secured permission from the landowner of a paddock near the Roys Peak car park as the venue for the event’s food, drinks and music; B.Effect is sponsoring the event and there will be a food van provided by Sea2You. 

Registration for the Full Gritt is between 7:00am-8:00am at Roys Peak car park on Saturday April 10. Buses then depart the car park for the start of the Full Gritt at 8:30am with the race beginning at 9:15am.

More information and details can be found here.

PHOTO: Supplied