Prepare for an enchanting off-road trail running journey through the bucolic landscape of the Shire™, as seen in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies.

The immersive and unique Middle-earth™ Halfling™ Marathon allows runners and walkers to explore the picturesque rolling green hills and storybook landscapes of the Waikato countryside. This course is all about the views!

You will begin your journey at Buckland Landing with breath-taking views across the valley and the mighty Kaimai Ranges in the distance. You will then twist and turn through the farmland, following the trails created by the farm’s inhabitants, with a couple of steep inclines to keep even the most seasoned runners honest.

You will soon arrive at Hobbiton where you’ll wind your way through half the village and pass numerous hobbit holes tucked into the hillsides. Don’t worry though, you’ll be back soon to see the other half! You leave the village and head back onto the farm, through paddocks, around ponds, and taking in the amazing views of the valley below.

You’re in for a treat when you arrive at the Watering Hole, past Halflings have enjoyed a refreshing dip at this point in their journey and you are more than welcome to do so too. The best thing about this is, you’ll be back here after a 2km loop. Halfway around this loop, make sure you pause at the highest point on the course and take in another breath-taking view of the valley. From here you can see all the way there and back again.

Your adventure is close to coming to an end, through more farmland before you wind your way through the other half of the Hobbiton village. Before you leave the village, how about stopping for a quick tipple to quench your thirst at The Green Dragon Inn?

Only a few kilometres left on this amazing journey and adventure before you’ll venture up one final climb to arrive at the finish line across from The Shire’s Rest, where your fellowship of supporters will be waiting.

Elevation gain: 526m

Aid Stations at 4.9km, 6.9km, 9.5km, 11.5km, 16.5km, and 19.3km.

Explore the Halfling Marathon course here. 

Prepare for an enchanting off-road trail running journey through the bucolic landscape of the Shire™, as seen in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies.

The immersive and unique Middle-earth Halfling Marathon™ allows runners and walkers to explore the picturesque rolling green hills and storybook landscapes of the Waikato countryside. This course is all about the views!

You will begin your journey at Buckland Landing with breath-taking views across the valley and the mighty Kaimai Ranges in the distance. You will then twist and turn through the farmland, following the trails created by the farm’s inhabitants, with a couple of hills to keep even the most seasoned runners honest.

You will soon arrive at Hobbiton where you’ll wind your way through half the village and numerous hobbit holes tucked into the hillside. Don’t worry though, you’ll be back soon to see the other half! You leave the village and back onto the farm, through paddocks, where you will arrive at the Watering Hole, past Halflings have enjoyed a refreshing dip at this point in their journey, and you are more than welcome to do so too. Before making your way through the other half of the Hobbiton village. Before you leave the village, how about stopping for a quick tipple to quench your thirst at The Green Dragon Inn?

Only a few kilometres left on this amazing journey and adventure before you’ll arrive at the finish line across from The Shire’s Rest, where your fellowship of supporters will be waiting.

Elevation gain: 242m

Aid Stations at 1.8km, 3.8km, 6.4km and 9.3km

Explore the Eleventy-first course here.

Aid stations will be supplied with water, hydration, chips, lollies, and fruit.

To minimise waste and our environmental impact we will have no disposable cups at the drink stations. All entrants will receive a complimentary Middle-earth Halfling Marathon branded collapsible reusable water cup to use at the drink stations. You are also welcome to bring your own bottle or hydration pack if you wish. The stations are equipped for you to refill these and we will have volunteers ready to help you fill your vessel as quickly as possible.

Toilets are located at the 6.9km, 9.5km, 11.5km, and 19.3km aid stations. (3.8km, 6.4km and 9.3km for 11.1km)

First Aid will be available on the course by a roving Peak Safety team member. Basic first aid kits will be available at each aid station.

All courses are marshalled and signposted. The courses are not suitable for wheelchairs and all entrants must complete the same course. Please obey marshals at all times.

No dogs on the courses please. Supporters and spectators must not accompany runners and walkers at any stage during the event.

Children aged 16 and under are not able to participate in these events without prior approval.

The Middle-earth Halfling Marathon is an off-road trail running adventure. The terrain for both the 11.1km and the 21.1km course varies from grassy fields and dirt farm tracks, to compacted dirt/clay tracks with some scattered cobblestone areas on the Movie Set. Many areas of the course cover uneven ground and some narrow tracks, including some low-level steps on a steady incline on the Movie Set. The course offers some spectacular viewpoints well earned by some steep inclines. All runners and walkers must follow the same path for their chosen distance. 

The courses will not take participants through Bagshot during the event. 

If you would like to experience the interior of the new Bagshot Row development, you are welcome to book a Hobbiton Movie Set Tour. Check your event confirmation for further details. 

Due to this event being an off-road trail run, the terrain of the courses are not suitable for wheelchairs. All entrants must follow the same path for their chosen distance.

Of course, we would love for you to bring your fellowship along to support. Supporters and spectators will be able to access the Halfling Event Village at The Shire’s Rest throughout the race duration and will be able to access the start and finish lines at set times. Only race participants will be able to access the Movie Set and surrounding farmland during the race. 

Not during the event. Only event participants will enter the Movie Set as a part of their event course. Spectators will be able to access the Halfling Village at The Shire's Rest, and the start and finish line zones at Buckland Landing. 

We will be offering a range of special exclusive tour experiences for spectators and participants on the Sunday to enjoy a visit to the Movie Set on the Sunday, or the opportunity to join one of our regularly scheduled tours at a special rate. You will be sent information on how to access these exclusive deals within your event confirmation. 

Due to the terrain of the courses the Middle-earth Halfling Marathon and Eleventy-first courses are not suitable to be completed with prams or baby carriers.This is to ensure the safety of all participants. 

Dogs are not permitted on the event course or at the Event Village unless they are service dogs.

Certified service dogs are welcome in the Event Village under the following conditions:

• The dog must be on a leash at all times and wear an identification tag with the owner's name, address and telephone number
• If asked, you must be able to provide proof that the dog is a certified service dog from an organisation recognised by the NZ Dog Control Act

*Please note that we can not ensure that this message gets to everybody who may come to spectate or enjoy the Event Village. We kindly ask that you please let any spectators or supporters who may be joining you on event day know this.