Red Rocks

The Coastal Warm-Up (0 km – 3 km)
The course kicks off near Owhiro Bay with a deceivingly gentle start. You’ll get about 3 kilometers of flat, runnable coastal trail heading west toward Te Kopahou. Enjoy the rugged South Coast ocean views and use this section to get your legs turning over – you’re going to need them.

The First Big Push (3 km – 7 km)
Right around the 3 km mark, the flat running ends and the real work begins. The route takes a sharp turn inland and punches straight up into the exposed hills of the Te Kopahou Reserve. Over the next 4 kilometers, you’ll grind out a massive, sustained climb up to the ridgeline, peaking at over 400 meters of elevation.

The Ridgeline Rollercoaster (7 km – 15 km)
Once you’re up in the hills, the course doesn’t let up. You’ll navigate a series of deep descents and steep, punchy climbs as you weave through the reserve’s trail network, reaching up toward the Hawkins Hill area. This middle section features a second major summit around the 14 km mark. It’s a demanding, technical stretch that will test your climbing legs and pacing.

The Final Descent (15 km – 18.5 km)
After conquering the final major peak, you’ll bomb back down toward the coast. There is one last small, cheeky bump in the elevation profile just before the 17 km mark to drain whatever energy you have left. From there, it’s a steep, final descent back down to the start/finish line at sea level.

The Verdict
This is a gritty, demanding route. With over 1,100 meters of climbing packed almost entirely into a 12 km middle section, it requires strong uphill hiking legs, confident descending skills, and the mental toughness to handle back-to-back summits.

The Coastal Warm-Up (0 km – 3 km)
Just like the long course, you kick things off with a flat, runnable stretch along the rugged South Coast. You get 3 kilometers of ocean breeze to find your rhythm and warm up the legs before the trail turns inland and points to the sky.

The Big Grind (3 km – 7.5 km)
The real work starts here. Taking a sharp right into the Te Kopahou Reserve, you will begin a massive, sustained 4.5-kilometer climb. You’ll gain nearly 400 meters of elevation as you work your way up the exposed ridges toward the Hawkins Hill area. There is a very brief plateau around the 6 km mark to catch your breath, but pace yourself—it’s a long haul to the top.

The Mid-Course Dip and Second Kick (7.5 km – 10.5 km)
What goes up must come down. After cresting the high point of the course, you are hit with a sharp, quad-burning descent. Enjoy the gravity, but don’t get too comfortable. Right around the 9 km mark, the trail kicks fiercely back up for a second, punchy climb, summiting at about 250 meters of elevation just past the 10 km mark.

The Final Descent (10.5 km – 12.8 km)
Once you conquer that secondary peak, it is all downhill to the finish. You’ll get a fast, steep descent dropping straight back down to the Owhiro Bay start/finish line at sea level. Empty the tank and let gravity carry you home!

The Verdict
A classic “earn your turns” route. It packs a serious punch with a heavy climb right out of the gate, but rewards you with sweeping views and a fast, thrilling descent. It is perfect for runners who want a heavy dose of vertical challenge without the commitment of the longer loops.

The Coastal Warm-Up (0 km – 3 km)
Matching the other courses, you kick things off with a flat, runnable stretch along the rugged South Coast. Enjoy the ocean breeze and use these 3 kilometers to warm up your legs and find a comfortable rhythm before the trail turns inland.

The Ascent (3 km – 6.5 km)
At the 3 km mark, the flat running ends and you take a right turn up into the Te Kopahou Reserve. This climb is a bit more forgiving than the longer routes, stepping its way up rather than going straight to the sky. Over the next 3.5 kilometers, you’ll steadily gain just over 200 meters of elevation, navigating a few smaller dips and rises as you weave through the lower ridges.

The High Traverse (6.5 km – 7.5 km)
Once you hit the highest point of the course around the 6.5 km mark, you are rewarded with about a kilometer of rolling, scenic ridgeline. The hard climbing is behind you, so use this section to catch your breath, pick up the pace, and take in the panoramic coastal views.

The Final Descent (7.5 km – 8.64 km)
The final stretch is a fast, sharp drop back down to the coast. You’ll lose all that elevation you just gained over a quick kilometer, dropping straight back down to the Owhiro Bay start/finish line at sea level.

The Verdict
A punchy and highly accessible loop. It gives you a fantastic taste of the reserve’s rugged terrain and iconic coastal views without the massive mileage or extreme climbs of the longer courses. It is perfect for newer trail runners testing the waters or seasoned speedsters looking to go all-out from start to finish.