MULTISPORT LONG COURSE

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The Long Course begins with a kayak section out in the bay. You start at the North end of the beach and then run along the beach to your kayak. There you will have to get your gear on, get in your boat, and make your way through the break out into the open water. 

The Long Course is similar to the Short Course, except you will go further out in the bay towards the heads. You will experience more ocean conditions than the Short Course, as it is less sheltered as you head further away from the beach. You will navigate your way around the markers in a U-shape course of the bay, paddling under cliffs and enjoying the unique coastline and wildlife before heading back to the beach. 

You will leave your kayak there and run to the bike transition at Le Bons Bay Domain. 

The Long Course bike section follows most of the 16km that the Short Course takes, but has an out-and-back section on Cameron's Track up to the junction at Summit Road. The mountain bike section has some sealed road, but is mostly gravel. 

The bike course begins with some flat, sealed road, moving into a gradual ascent as you move further from the beach. You then turn right at Panama Road and get onto the gravel. This road includes a very steep gnarly section - it is expected you will be pushing your bike on foot at this point! This road is actually the steepest on the Peninsula, with a gradient in one section that is 45 degrees. 

Once you reach the Aid Station at the top of this track, you will then turn left and head up Cameron's Track. At the junction of Summit Road you will turn around and head back down the hill, passing the Aid Station at the top of Panama Track again. The descent allows you to enjoy sweeping views of the area; including Lavericks Bay, Le Bons Bay, and the South Pacific Ocean. You will then get back on to the sealed, flat road and make your way back to the Le Bons Bay Domain. 

Once back at the transition point you will head off on foot. The 15km Adventure Trail Run section of the Multisport event sees you running to the Estuary which you will cross (it will be low tide so expect water up to your calves only), and then head up to private farmland, Totara Point Farm. The track up to the farm is steep and sees you following the old route that settlers took from Le Bons Bay Wharf up to the farm.  

The course then takes on a greater loop of the farm than the 10km course. You will get to spend more time running on farm tracks, crossing through gullies and bush, and marvelling at the uninterrupted views of the South Pacific Ocean. You pass through ancient Totara Forest before visiting the only working Lighthouse on Banks Peninsula. You then head along the tops of the cliffs before descending steeply back down towards the waters edge. 

You will then run or walk along a farm track that sits above the ocean, allowing you to hear the waves crashing on to the rocks below. Once you near the beach you will take the final descent back to the Estuary, which you will cross once more before taking a forest trail back to Le Bons Bay Domain.   

This 15km course is a great way to end the Multisport Long Course - tired legs adding to the challenge factor!