Middle-earth Halfling Marathon™ FAQs

The Eleventy-first 11.1km course is $209 to enter, and the Halfling Marathon 21.1km course is $259. 

Registrations are full for the 2026 event. For those who missed out, we will have a re-release of any cancelled registrations at 11am NZST on 15 December, 2025 via our website.

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. 

We are not offering corporate or teams discounts at this time.

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.

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
• Exclusive rates for selected Hobbiton Movie Set Tour experiences over the weekend of the event
• 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 

Registrations for all categories are now full. You will have the ability to change distances during the re-release of cancelled registrations on 15 December 2025. Please note this is subject to availability within the category you wish to change into. You can check availability through your online registration, click to amend through your confirmation email. If you can’t locate your registration confirmation email info@halflingmarathon.com Note: There are no partial refunds if downgrading.

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.

No, sorry. There will be no waitlists held for this event. 

Yes, you can purchase Middle-earth Halfling Marathon merchandise even if you are not participating in the event. Please note, all merchandise must be collected in on event day. Shipping is not available, and we are unable to post items before or after the event.

We will be offering free return transport options from Matamata Information Centre and across the road from the Cambridge town hall, there will be ample parking available at each location.

Parking at The Shire’s Rest is limited and only available for participants who select this option at time of registration. 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.

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-1pm 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-1pm 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.

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.

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.

Registrations for all categories are now full. You will have the ability to change distances during the re-release of cancelled registrations on 15 December 2025. Please note this is subject to availability within the category you wish to change into. You can check availability through your online registration, click to amend through your confirmation email. If you can’t locate your registration confirmation email info@halflingmarathon.com Note: There are no partial refunds if downgrading.

Yes, we have a free, dry and secure bag check available. Keep an eye out for bag check signs at the start and finish line.

Bags need to be tagged with your bib number and name, tags are available at check in and at the start line. Bags should be dropped at the start line at Buckland Landing, located across the road from the Halfling Event Village. While you are on the course, bags will be moved by event staff to the finish line to be collected after you have completed your 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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

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. 

The Sunday after the Middle-earth Halfling Marathon, Hobbiton Movie Set will be offering an exclusive experience for event participants, spectators, sponsors and supporters to enjoy a guided tour of the Shire. Check your registration confirmation for details.

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.