INFORMATION

• DATES
  Saturday, 21 December 2024
  Saturday, 20 December 2025
  Saturday, 19 December 2026
  Saturday, 18 December 2027
  Saturday, 16 December 2028

START TIMES

• Hooksie’s Hero’s 5:15 AM
• Half Ironman, SUFFER 78 – MEN 5:45 AM
• Half Ironman, SUFFER 78 – WOMEN 5:50 AM
• Half Ironman TEAMS 5:50:00 AM
• Aquabeer 5:50:00 AM.
• Quarter Ironman – everyone 6:00 AM
• Run: 21.1 KM and 10.5 KM Run 7:30 AM
• Pick n' Mix 5:45 AM Men, 5:50 AM, Women.

CHOP DOWN DISTANCES HERE OR LET US KNOW YOUR NEW START TIME

You can chop down distances or change your swim start here.

Note these changes will only come into affect when we close of registrations in December - that ‘s when we make all the changes.

To change distances or start times, you will need your ORDER ID from your confirmation EMAIL and go to the contact us page on this website.

• Bike course REFER MAPS
• 0 KM START, LEFT INTO TARAWERA RD
• 6 KM RIGHT SELWYN ROAD
• 6.7 KM LEFT ILES ROAD
• 7 KM RIGHT WARWICK DRIVE
• 7.4 KM AHEAD BASLEY ROAD ROUNDABOUT
• 7.4 KM AHEAD MORLEY ST BECOMES PORIKAPA ROAD
• TURN BRENT ROAD ROUNDABOUT, RETURN SAME WAY BLUE LAKE
• 29.2 KM  RETURN TO HQ
  1 LAP.

Cut off times for the Quarter

• There are no cut-offs for the Quarter.

Cut off times for the Suffer78

• Suffer 78 must complete their two bike laps by 10 AM.

Cut off times for the 21KM and 10KM runs

• There are no cut off times for the run only events.

Cut-off times for the Half and Aquabeer:

• There is the minimum pace requirement estimated at 21.5 km/h for the 90 KM
  Bike.
• Runner cut-off times are below and calculated at a pace of 6 km/h.

Time Checkpoints and Cut-offs for Bike Leg: Important
Guidelines

To ensure a smooth and safe event, please note the following time checkpoints and cut-offs for the bike leg:

Start Time Considerations

• If your swim time exceeds 50 minutes, please start with Hooksie's Hero's at 5:15 AM.

There are two start time options based on average speed:

• Starting at 5:15 AM, you must maintain an average speed of 20.5 km/h to complete the 87 km course.
• Starting at 5:45 AM, you must maintain an average speed of 23.2 km/h to complete the 87 km course.

Average Speed Targets

• To achieve a 4:15 hour bike leg, maintain an average speed of 20.47 km/h.
• To achieve a 3:45 hour bike leg, maintain an average speed of 23.2 km/h.

Half Ironman Cut-off Times

The following checkpoints have specific cut-off times:

1 Lap: Aim to complete the first lap between 7:10 AM and 7:30 AM.

2 Laps (Cut-off): You must complete two laps by 9:00 AM.

Basley Road Turnaround (Cut-off): This is a hard cut-off at 9:15 AM. Riders approaching this point after 9:15 AM will be turned around by the ride director and allowed to continue without penalty.

Return to Blue Lake on way out to Tarawera (Cut-off): You must reach this checkpoint by 9:45 AM. If missed, proceed directly to transition and continue the event without penalty.

Turn at Tarawera (Cut-off): This is a hard cut-off at 10:00 AM. Riders approaching this point after 10:00 AM will be redirected by the ride director and allowed to continue, no penalty.

Finish Line: The bike leg must be completed by 10:20 AM.

Time Checkpoints and cut offs for Run Legs:

• 8 Mile Gate (Cut-off): 11:20 AM. Anyone still approaching this point at
  11:20 AM will be turned around by the run director and allowed to continue.
• 2nd Lap of Lake (Cut-off): 12:20 PM. Any runners starting their second lap
  after 12:20 PM will be directed to the finish line.
• Lookout Aid Station closes at 1 PM.

Aid station at HQ (BIKE)

One Foot Down Rule:Important Information: Please be aware of the one-foot-down rule: Athletes are required to have one foot down (either left or right, your choice) at all times while receiving outside assistance.

This means you must be completely stopped before accepting any assistance, such as bottle swaps, food, or other items. Failure to comply with the one-foot-down rule may result in disqualification.

Supporters can now provide bottle swaps and pass nutrition to athletes at the start of the second and third laps of the Half Ironman bike course.

This service is not available for the Quarter Ironman.

Neville No Friends Triathletes:A dedicated table will be provided for you to leave your own personal nutrition items.

ALL AID STATION SUPPLIES, INCLUDING BIKE
We will also provide, water, Coke, and R-Line - but you must stop to refuel on bike.

WHAT TIME DOES PARKING OPEN?

From 4:00 A.M .

WHERE DO WE PARK?

We are parking all cars directly above transition until 5:45 am or the carpark fills. As you come down the hill towards the lake, there may be vehicle queues in front of you so please slowdown as you start your approach to the lake.

CAN I FOLLOW MY MATE ON THE BIKE COURSE?

No need to now aye!

BIKE RACKING
1. No Racking on Friday.
2. All racking on race morning.
3. Racking is first up best dressed.
4. Family and friends are welcome in our transition before 5:45am.
5. Transition will be cleared of all competitors and supporters including teams from 5:45 a.m. so please make sure you have everything ready by that time.
6. Give the early swimmers a hearty cheer and plenty of room.
7. Some of them will be out before the main start.

WILL THERE BE ENOUGH BIKE RACKS THIS YEAR?

Yeah, probably not. Find a place on the ground or a fence if late. If it was good enough for Gomez, it’s good enough for you.

Those who will take longer than 7 hours. This start is completely optional.

ENTRY FEES:

Refer to the entry page.

REFUND POLICY

THE ROTORUA HALF HAS A NO REFUND POLICY.

At time of registration, you were given the option to purchase transfer insurance to the next year. This allows you to transfer your registration to the next years event. The policy lapses 14 days prior to race day. Only those who have purchased transfer insurance are eligible for a transfer.

If you didn’t choose this option, your entry will NOT be transferred (fair's, fair mate). Our policy is no refund nor no changes to another person regardless of circumstance. Someone can collect your awesome race pack on the Friday or Saturday.

Who are Hooksie’s Heroes?

The short answer, all of triathlon’s heroes – those that take on themselves and the course but are going to be out there are long time.

If you feel you will take over 7 hours, go in the 5:15 wave. Honestly, it’s the best experience ever.

REGISTRATION
• AT LAKE FROM4 P.M. TO 8 P.M. FRIDAY
• HOOKSIE’S HEREOS - 4P.M. TO 8 P.M. FRIDAY PLEASE.
• TIKITAPU (Blue Lake) Saturday Morning from 4 A.M.
RACE PACKS
• No race packs are being couriered.
• Everyone must collect their race packs.
• A friend can collect your packs without ID – just let us know.
• There are no swim caps.
• Transponder on race numbers.
• You need a race belt. Do not wear race belt under your wetsuuit or you will not get a time.
• 21 KM and 10.5 KM only will get pins only for race numbers.

LATE ENTRY
• Walk-up registrations will be taken on Friday from 4-8 P.M. at the lake - CASH ONLY

10k run - $100.

Half marathon run - $120.

Aqua beer - $250.

Half Ironman - $350.

Quarter Ironman - $200.

Quarter Ironman team - $270.

Half Ironman team - $350.

TRANSPONDERS AND RACE NUMBERS – TRIATHLON ONLY
• IMPORTANT.

• Your transponder is on your race number.

• Wear on RACE BELT. Do not wear race belt in swim or you will not get a time.
• There is one race number in your pack. It must worn FORWARD on the run and BACKWARD on the bike.

• If you don’t use a race belt, do not wear garment under wetsuit or wear number in swim. have your number facing forward for the bike and the run.
• RACE BELTS ARE COMPULSORY for the individual triathlon only.

TEAMS TRANSPONDERS AND RACE NUMBERS

• Teams don’t get an ankle transponder.
• Teams gets one race number.
• The Runner gets one and wears it facing forward.
• The swimmer doesn't get one.

TEAM CHANGE OVERS
• The runner tags the swimmer at waters edge.
• The runner runs to the bike rack and tags the cyclist.
• The cyclist does the ride and tags the runner at their bike rack.

RUN 21 and RUN 10 RACE NUMBERS
• Wear number facing the front.

HELMET STICKER AND SWIM CAPS
• There are no helmet stickers or swim caps. Wear your own swim cap. 

CUT OFF TIMES

Bike course closes at 10:30.

• 11:15 a.m. 8 Mile Gate
• 12:30 p.m. Hot Corner Aid Station

WHAT ARE THE QUARTER CUT OFF TIMES

There are no cut off times for the Quarter.

BRIEFING

• There are no pre-race briefing for any started, only the written briefing below.

• We will make courtesy announcements over the P.A. pre-swim start on each day.
ON RACE MORNING

• The race morning announcements will NOT cover off the bike or run course.
• It will however cover off the swim course along with any other race day changes (if any).

• Update on road conditions and notify of glass, potholes etc.

5:15 STARTERS.

All competitors that have signed on to the 5:15 AM swim must have completed all registration formalities or by courier BY Friday night. You guys must be ready to go come Saturday morning. You must have your race pack and transponders already sorted out.

BYO HEADLAMPS.

• Wear headlamps as it will be dark when you first arrive onto site.

SWIM. IF IN ANY DOUBT - DO NOT ENTER THE WATER.

• We will be putting flashing lights on swim cans to assist you with navigation. It will be barely light when you start but is the coolest, bestest swim in triathlon. It’s epic.

BIKE
The following is crucial for your safety.

We have decided that all volunteers on the cycle course that have the responsibility for directing you will not be standing in the centre of the road, they will be on the side pointing. In terms of direction, that is where it ends for us.

Remember though, over every second of the bike course:

YOU AND YOU ALONE DECIDE WHETHER IT IS SAFE TO ENTER AN INTERSECTION. PLEASE, APPROACH ALL INTERSECTIONS, HANDS-ON BRAKES, RIDING DEFENSIVELY AND PREPARED TO STOP.

The traffic controllers will do everything they can to get you safely through the intersections without stopping – BUT. It isn’t up to them it’s up to you to make all turns safely.

RIDE DEFENSIVELY AND BE PREPARED TO STOP.

If you have to stop, appreciate for those few seconds that our traffic management team has done the job and delivered to you a safe race.

So remember, the Marshalls will be wearing bright orange jackets and will point you in the right direction but they will be standing on the sides of the road and not in the middle of it. Please look behind you for motorists as you make the move to the centre of the road to turn right and

NEVER CROSS THE CENTRE LINE

Remember, at all times you must obey the road rules, the roads are open at all times to traffic and you must never cross the centre line.

Obey all road rules.

Major intersections have traffic management but will not be until 6 AM.

Again, we stress you to study the maps and know with complete competency the correct way to get out of town.

RULES OF THE ROAD.

Nothing changes. Every single cyclist, not just those in the early waves must comply with road rules.

KNOW THE COURSE

This is rule one of triathlon. This rule applies to the elites and to you as well. It is the responsibility of competitors to know the course. It is not the responsibility of marshals or other officials to direct you. You and you alone must know the correct course. We advise you to get into town early drive over the course, even a ride through the residential section of town could be greatly beneficial to you.

WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER

You guys, look after each other out there, okay. Help each other, support each other and just get round the course.

KNOW WHERE TO TURN.

Quarter turn on a slight uphill and there is no water to your left.
Half turns next to a lake.

HOW NOT TO GET CLEANED UP AT THE QUARTER TURN

Take extra caution at the quarter turnaround.

At this one point, there will be a genuine mix of novice beginners making the U-turn and more experienced triathletes heading straight on. Again, our advice needs to be heeded.

Quarter riders - use your voice to cyclists around you. Shout out “quarter turn, quarter turn”.

Half riders -be vigilant. Listen for a call and never, under any circumstances pass a cyclist on the right at any point of the quarter turn.

While you are at it, wish you novice little brothers and sisters a “good ride back” because we are all in this wild gig together.

EVENT RULES FOR A COMPETITOR ARRIVING AT A BIKE CRASH SCENE.

1. Ensure your own safety first. Try and make sure no further accident occurs and only then...

2. Flag down the next cyclist through the accident scene.

3. Scene declared an "accident" scene. Attend to cyclist only when safe to do so.

4. Locate a phone and call 111 - AMBULANCE and state BIKE ACCIDENT and the location.

5. Follow instructions of the operator.

6. Call the emergency number on your race number and repeat the incident information.

MANAGING THE ACCIDENT SCENE

1. One of the (at least) two stopped cyclists must go forward of the accident scene - towards the field of cyclists

2. Stand safely to the side of the road.

3. Cross arms above chest and loudly yell at all competitors "ACCIDENT AHEAD - SLOW DOWN"

4. A member of the public or marshal can also use the same instructions to declare the scene and accident scene (FOR RACE PURPOSES ONLY.)

ACCIDENT SCENE = 20 KPH FOR COMPETITORS

As soon as any competitor declares the scene an accident, the race is immediately neutralised and the following rules apply.

Cyclist must:

1. Immediately drop and maintain speed to 20 km an hour

2. Ride with left hand on drop

3. Raise right hand to indicate to cyclists around they are travelling through an accident scene

4. Maintain the speed until they are well clear the accident scene

RAISE RIGHT ARM. DECLARE AN ACCIDENT

Any cyclist can declare the scene of an accident at any stage by raising the right arm and yelling "accident" to all competitors around them. All cyclists must then drop speed and maintain a slow pace and ride with extreme caution, riding with the right arm raised and left hand on the drop until safely through the accident scene.

RULES TO BE ENFORCED

1. Any cyclist that deliberately right faster than 20 km an hour through an accident scene - will have the number recorded and be immediately disqualified from the race and face a possible BAN from future events.

2. Any cyclist that passes another cyclist through the accident scene will also receive immediate disqualification.

3. Competitors are encouraged to record the numbers of cyclists that blatantly ignore the speed through an accident scene rule.

4. Any competitor(s) that stops and renders assistance will suffer no time penalty as a result of stopping. These competitors need to instruct the timing team who will deduct the appropriate amount of time from the overall time.

SWIM

The swim course is two laps for the Half Ironman.

The swim is one lap for the Quarter Ironman.

It starts in front of the terraced area

Swim 450 m, turn left. Swim 100 m, turn left. Return 450m.

The wearing of flippers is legal for any swimmer that can prove their last Ironman swim was over 1:45.

TRAINING ON THE SWIM COURSE

After meeting with the harbour master and local council event support staff, we all thought it prudent to reinforce to all competitors training for the swim, to do all your swim training in the correct section of the lake.

The lake has different designations. The main body of water, directly in front of the water ski club and boat ramp is designated completely for power boats. This makes this section of water a 100% no go area for swim training. At all times. I will say this again, do not swim, ever, in the main body of water directly in front of the water ski club and the boat ramp.

The lake has two designated "passive" areas for swimmers. Always check the maps on display at the lake to see where the passive areas are displayed.

NEVER, AT ANY STAGE SWIM AROUND THE BUOYS AND BEGIN SWIMMING INSIDE THE ZONE DESIGNATED TO MOTORISED BOATS.

Thanks in advance.


BIKE COURSE DISTANCE / TURN / ROAD

6 KM RIGHT SELWYN ROAD
6.7 KM LEFT ILES ROAD
7 KM RIGHT WARWICK DRIVE
7.4 KM AHEAD BASLEY ROAD ROUNDABOUT
7.4 KM AHEAD MORLEY ST BECOMES PORIKAPA ROAD
9 KM LEFT WHARENUI ROAD
9.5 KM RIGHT TE NGAE ROAD (SH 30)
16 KM RIGHT SH30
22 KM RETURN QUARTER TURN
30 KM AID AID STATION LAKE ROTOMA (WATER)
45 KM RETURN HALF IRONMAN
60 KM AID AID STATION LAKE ROTOMA (WATER)
74 KM LEFT TE NGAE ROAD (SH 30)
81 KM LEFT WHARENUI ROAD
81.5 KM RIGHT PORIKAPA ROAD
82.5 KM AHEAD BASLEY ROAD ROUNDABOUT
83 KM LEFT ILES ROAD
83.2 KM RIGHT SELWYN ROAD
84 KM LEFT TARAWERA ROAD
90 KM FINISH BLUE LAKE

RUN COURSE

Refer maps page.

WETSUIT DIPPING

We take the physical health of the beautiful lake we swim in seriously. What follows is a really simple definition of exactly who needs to get their wetsuits dipped.

WHAT ARE THE RULES ABOUT WETSUIT DIPPING?

If it is completely dry, you do not need to get your wetsuit dipped.

A wet wetsuit from ocean swimming does not need to be dipped.

If your wetsuit is wet from swimming in Lake Taupo, Lake Karapiro, other lakes around Lake Rotorua, or river - you must get your wetsuit dipped.

TEAM CHANGEOVER

Runner tags the swimmer at shore edge (cause they are wearing the transponder).

All cyclists must wait RACKED at their bikes for their runner to tag.

All Runners must wait in the transition for their cyclist.

TEAMS TRANSPONDERS AND RACE NUMBERS

Teams don’t get an ankle transponder.

Teams gets two race numbers.

The Runner gets one - facing forward.

The swimmer doesn't get one.

The cyclist gets one - facing backward.

Make sure the runners tag crosses the mats.

Award Times and Categories - All Saturday at the Lake

10:00 am

• Quarter Ironman Prize Giving
• 21K and 10K Prize Giving
  

Midday

• Aquabeer Prize Giving
• Teams Prize Giving
• Half Ironman Prize Giving

Half Ironman Categories

• Overall Winners
• Male: 1st, 2nd, 3rd
• Female: 1st, 2nd, 3rd
• Age Group Winners
• Men: Under 20, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+
• Women: Under 20, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+

Aquabeer Categories

• Overall Winners
• Male: 1st
• Female: 1st

Half Ironman Teams Categories

• Fastest Team

Quarter Ironman Categories

• Overall Winners
• Male: 1st, 2nd, 3rd
• Female: 1st, 2nd, 3rd
• Age Group Winners
• 40+: Male and Female

SUFFER 21KM

• Overall Winners
• Male: 1st
• Female: 1st

SUFFER 10KM

• Overall Winners
• Male: 1st
• Female: 1st

BIKE AID STATION

The aid station is at the 30 KM and 60 km mark on the bike.

Please approach the aid station with hands on brake levers and WATCHING, please no riding on your aerobars through the aid station.

The aid station will have the following:

Your own pre packed special bags that we have collected at registration on Friday night.

There is no aid station on the bike for the Quarter.

QUARTER TURNAROUND

There is just one turnaround point on the Quarter bike. 5.2 KM along SH 30. (Enter 516 State Highway 30, Tikitere 3074 into Google Maps if you are going out for a looksie)

HALF TURNAROUND

Put 507 State Highway 30, Rotoma 3074 into the Google. If you hit Whakatane, you've gone too far.

RUN AID STATIONS

There are 3 aid stations - one at the waterski club, one at Hot Corner and one at the Green Lake Turn. Here is the order of aid stations on the run.

Waterski Club 100m

Hot Corner 3.5km

8 Mile Gate 9.0km

Hot Corner 13.35km

Waterski Club 15.5km

Hot Corner 18.85km

WHAT'S ON THE AID STATION

Water, Coke, R-LINE Electrolyte Hydration

DRAFTING ZONE

The draft zone is a10 metre GAP and no riding two wide.

IS THERE A BOX

There is no "box". It’s 10 metres. One more than 9.

WHERE DO I SIT ON THE
ROAD?

All cyclists will be
expected to sit hard left on the road.

The next bike will be
a further 10 metres back and so on.

 It will look like a
giant pace line with all competitors 10 metres apart.

HOW DO YOU PASS?

If you pull into the
road, you'll be considered to be in a passing manoeuvre. 

A passing manoeuvre
is considered DELIBERATE AND OBVIOUS, you need to be travelling at a speed that
is "obviously a passing speed".

The marshals will be
using a mixture of cars and bikes.

The official will MAY OR MAY NOT stop you or inform you of your penalty.  4 minutes will then be added to your overall
time. 

HOW DO I GET DQ’D?

Two drafting infringements equal disqualification.

WHAT DO THE DRAFT MARSHALS LOOK FOR?

Don't stress bunching
on the climbs or descents; we will completely leave you alone there.

Our focus is the flat
road out to the airport and also around the lakes once you drop down the Hell's
Gate Hill (Tikitere).   

HOW FAR IS 10M?

10 metres is the length
of two cars.

WHAT ARE THE 3 THINGS THAT GET YOU DQ’D?

 2 drafting offences.

 Littering.

 Being a dick.

CAN YOU APPEAL A DQ?

Sure, write it down
on a $100 bill, give it to Hooksie’s wife and she’ll take care of it.