Starting at South Bay Racecourse you will race alongside the beach on the grass/sand verge to the end of South Bay domain take the Peninsula walk path that has a short steep climb to bring you on top of the Peninsula. Then you will follow the path across the Peninsula with its amazing views to the northern side at the Seal colony, a short (1 km) stretch along the boardwalk and road to climb back to the top of the Peninsula. Follow the road on top of the Peninsula to St Pauls track and steep descent down a path known as "The Stairway." 

 

Full marathon racers will continue on along the bike track of gravel and sand south towards the Kowhai River. This amazing track has been made with the hard work of the Kaikoura Cycle Club and varies in width and substrate – gravel, sand and dirt. Runners follow this track heading up the Kowhai River toward Mt Fyffe, until their turnaround points at the Mt Fyffe car park and a return journey on a gravel roadway back to the Kowhai River Bridge.

 

The elevation is gradual with short steep parts but climbing all the way.  On the return to South Bay runners go past the RaceCourse to the stile at the end of the grassed area (where housing starts on the ocean side of the road), turning back to the entry to the racecourse, around the back of the racecourse to the start finish line.