Lay Of The Land

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: 603m

Aid stations are at 5.6km, 7.6km, 10.8km, 15.6km, and 19.3km

Toilet facilities are at the 7.6km, 10.8km, and 19.3km aid stations

Prepare for an epic off-road trail running journey through the lush landscapes 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: 298m

Aid stations are at 1.8km, 3.8km, 6.4km, and 9.3km

Toilet facilities are at the 3.8km, 6.4km, and 9.3km aid stations

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 7.6km, 10.8km, 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.

If you are participating in the 21.1km Halfling Marathon, a course cut-off will be enforced at the 13.7km point at 5.45pm, approximately 3 hours and 35 minutes into your run or 3 hours and 25 minutes into your walk, that's 15mins/km or 4km/h. You will still be able to finish the event and get your medal, for your own safety our course team will just send you on a shorter route, we don’t want you finishing in the dark!

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 this event.

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

Please note, your registration for the Middle-earth Halfling Marathon Event does not include a tour of Hobbiton Movie Set. If you would like to experience the interior of Bagshot Row, you are welcome to book a Hobbiton Movie Set Tour.