Middle-earth Halfling Marathon™ FAQs

Included in your registration for the Middle-earth Halfling Marathon is entry into the race distance of your choosing, a specially designed finishers medal, an exclusive branded souvenir Stein and a collapsible reusable water cup for use at the water stations across the course. Please note: there will not be any single use cups or plastic at the water or aid stations to reduce our waste for the 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. 

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.

It is advised that you wear comfortable shoes on the course. Be sure to prepare for the elements event day may bring by wearing sun protection and bringing along some wet weather gear. 

We look forward to seeing the amazing costumes we know many participants will choose to wear on event day. We would like to kindly remind you that due to safety we only allow soft props on the premises, no weapons or accessories that have the potential to harm are permitted. 

The cut off date for pre-purchasing merchandise has now passed. There will be limited merchandise available to purchase on event day in the Halfling Event Village and during early check in on Friday evening. 

If you pre-purchased merchandise, you will need to collect this during event check in on Friday or event day. 

Yes, we have a free, dry and secure bag check available. Keep an eye out for bag check signs on your way to the start line.

Bags need to be tagged with your bib number and name, tags are available at check in. Bags should be dropped at the Bag Check Tent, located across the road from the Halfling Event Village near the finish line. 

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. 

Hobbiton Movie Set are operating scheduled tours the morning of event day. Access to the Movie Set is only possible via a tour booking with Hobbiton Movie Set or for event participants during the event as part of the course. 

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.

Parking at The Shire’s Rest is limited and only available for participants who have confirmed a parking pass along with their registration. If you’re bringing supporters and spectators, please ensure they’re travelling in the same vehicle with a parking pass.

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.

An exclusive Hobbiton Tour experience with limited tickets available was offered to Middle-earth Halfling Marathon participants at an additional cost during registration. These experiences are currently fully booked, and the waitlist is closed.  

You are welcome to check tour availability via the Hobbiton Movie Set website here. Please note there are no discounts for Hobbiton tour bookings.

No, during registration, we asked how many supporters would be accompanying you on the day to help us plan for transport requirements. If you have a parking pass, please ensure any supporters travel with you in the same vehicle. If utilising free return transport from Matamata or Cambridge, please ensure that any supporters (including any children or babies) are included in booking/seat numbers that have been confirmed by the Halfling Event Team.

Spectators are invited to view both the start and finish lines, and enjoy the Halfling Event Village, which will have food, beverages, and entertainment available throughout the afternoon. The Movie Set, including the Green Dragon Inn, is only accessible to event participants, as part of the course.

No, the event is sold out, and there are no opportunities to purchase tickets on the day or during early check in. 

No, sorry. 

The Halfling Event Village will have a variety of food trucks and food and beverage options as well as our onsite café The Shires Rest.

Our good friends at Good George will be onsite with a range of alcoholic & non-alcoholic (water, electrolyte and soft drinks) beverages available for purchase at the event.

Cash is king though some of our food suppliers will have eftpos options available.

Prizegiving will take place at the Halfling Event Village at 6.00pm on race day, 28 March 2026. 

During prize giving, there will be prizes for 1st place male and female in each event category along with best dressed and other spot prizes randomly drawn by the event team. 

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. 

If you are unable to make it for the event, please reach out to info@halflingmarathon.com to begin the cancellation process. 

Cancellation of registration will incur a $20 administration fee per participant, provided that the cancellation is requested by email to info@halflingmarathon.com by 7:59 am on Monday, 23 February 2026. No refunds will be given where participants cancel after 8:00 am on Monday, 23 February 2026.

Click here for more information.

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.

Parking at The Shire’s Rest is strictly limited and only available for participants who have confirmed a parking pass along with their registration in Events Plus. An official parking pass will be issued to participants who select this option before the event and must be presented on arrival on the event day.

Parking passes will be emailed by our event team by the end of February.

You will be able to check in for the event at The Hub, located across the carpark from The Shire's Rest, 501 Buckland Road Matamata, from 3pm-8pm on Friday 27 March 2026, or on race day from 9am-1 hour before your event start time, on Saturday 28 March 2026.

You will be able to check in for the event at The Hub, located across the carpark from The Shire's Rest, 501 Buckland Road Matamata, from 3pm-8pm on Friday 27 March 2026, or on race day from 9am-1 hour before your event start time, on Saturday 28 March 2026.

If you have checked in on Friday then you do not need to re-check in on Saturday morning. Arrive at least 45 minutes before your race start time, to allow time for parking, a quick warm up & the race briefing.

If you selected parking at The Shire's Rest during registration, you will be sent a parking pass via email closer to event day. Please note, parking at The Shire's Rest is limited and you must print your parking pass and display it on the dashboard of our car.

If you are unsure or would like to check or change which parking/transport option you requested as part of your registration, you can do this by logging into your Event Plus account, or you can contact our team at info@halflingmarathon.com.

No, the event is sold out, and there are no opportunities to purchase tickets on the day or during early check in.