Middle-earth Halfling Marathon™

The Eleventy-first 11.1km course is $230 to enter, and the Halfling Marathon 21.1km course is $280. 

Registration includes:

• Finishers medal 
• Entry to Hobbiton Movie Set as part of the course*
• Branded Event Stein with a finish line drink
• Branded Event reusable water cup
• An exclusive Hobbit Southfarthing drink at The Green Dragon Inn during the race
• Aid stations along the course with water, toilets and first aid
• Race Photography
• The opportunity to win spot Prizes
• Access to the Halfling Event Village, where prizegiving will be held and food and drinks are available to be purchased 

*Please note: Bagshot Row interior Hobbit Holes are not accessible during the Middle-earth Halfling Marathon event.

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. 

We want each one of you to enjoy the event without pushing yourself beyond your limit, so we have put together some points below to help you decide which adventure is best for you. 

We recommend the 21.1km Halfling marathon to those who:

• Have completed half marathons in the past and are looking for a challenge 
• Take part in off road trail running events of this nature

We recommend the 11.1km Eleventy-first to those who:

• Have not taken part in an event of this nature before
• Are beginning the sport of trail running 
• Are looking to take the event at a lower pace and enjoy the scenery 

Both the Halfling Marathon and the Eleventy-first courses offer spectacular view points well earned by some steep inclines on the journey through the unspoiled Waikato farmland. All participants will visit sites and scenes from the epic trilogies including the village of Hobbiton and The Green Dragon™ Inn which serves as the final aid station and a brief refreshment stop before the final leg of the adventure to the finish line across from The Shire’s Rest™.

We recommend all participants look at the course information below, taking note of the course description and elevation levels.

Learn more about the course here.

Yes. When you enter the event, you can choose to either enter the Run or Walk category for each distance. The start times for the Walking category will be staggered slightly, please take note of your chosen categories start time upon registration and in the lead up to the event. Participants in the Walking categories are required to walk the full distance, and cannot run a portion of the course. 

The Middle-earth Halfling Marathon has two race distances and all participants will be running together without any divisions for age or gender.

Registrations are open to ages 16+ for both race distances.

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.

We will be offering free return transport options for Participants and their supporters from Matamata Information Centre and across the road from the Cambridge town hall. There will be ample parking available at each location. 

Please ensure your transport details are correct within your Event Plus account, including updating if you will be travelling to the venue with someone else who has a parking pass and how many spectators are joining you on event day.  To check and update details, log into your Event Plus account and select ‘Edit Details’ under Registrations and Transport and Parking.

Further transport information, including confirming departure times from Matamata and Cambridge, will be sent to registrants by our event team by the end of February.

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.

Outside of participating in the Middle-earth Halfling Marathon, access to the Movie Set is only available as part of a booked guided tour experience. 

The 2028 Middle-earth Halfling Marathon event date will be announced shortly after the 2027 Middle-earth Halfling Marathon event takes place. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date.