Shotover Moonlight
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Shotover Moonlight Mountain Marathon
The Shotover Moonlight Mountain Marathon follows abandoned 1880s gold mining water races, sheep tracks on razorback ridges, climbs past waterfalls using ladders and passes through an abandoned mining tunnel. The course begins on the beach below the Pipeline Bridge in Skippers Canyon and finishes at Moke Lake near Queenstown.
The route includes a mix of terrain and surfaces, with over 60% described as single track where good footwork and balance are important. The race involves more than 2400 m of climbing and descending across the course.
Trail surface breakdown includes:
- Water race single track: 13 km (about 30%)
- Ridgeline and other single track: 13 km (about 30%)
- Riverbed and river valley: 8 km (about 20%)
- Farm 4WD track: 8 km (about 20%)
Cutoff rules apply for safety. A short-course option is available at a control point located at 24.5 km; runners directed onto the short course will reduce the distance by 6 km and remove approximately 500 m of climbing, resulting in an approximate remaining distance of 37 km. The overall course cutoff is 12 hours; competitors still on the course after this time will be collected and transported to the finish.
The course crosses private high country station land and is not open to public access outside race day. Estimated completion ranges provided by the organiser indicate elite, competitive and casual time bands. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
