True West Adventure Race
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True West Adventure Race
True West is an adventure race held on the West Coast of New Zealand. The event runs multiple timed formats and is organised as a team navigation challenge across remote and variable terrain.
Races are offered in several formats including schools events and timed formats of 3 hour, 6 hour, 24 hour and 48 hour. Teams of adventure athletes race non-stop and navigate using map and compass. A team’s ranking requires completing the entire course with every team member present at the end.
The organisers measure stages by expected time rather than by distance. Time expectations account for terrain, elevation and other factors that affect how long a stage will take. Stages may combine different disciplines and can be spread across multiple segments within a single race.
The event includes disciplines such as mountain biking, hiking and packrafting. Example guideline distances and typical stage durations by race format are provided to help set expectations.
- 3 hour: MTB 20-25 km; hiking 5-10 km
- 6 hour: MTB 20-40 km; hiking 9-15 km
- 24 hour: packraft 8-12 km; MTB 35-50 km; hiking 12-25 km
- 48 hour: packraft 20-35 km; MTB 40-80 km; hiking 30-50 km
Teams must combine navigation, outdoor skills and endurance to complete the course and secure a ranking. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.