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. 

The Middle-earth Halfling Marathon starts later in the day compared to other events as the course passes through Hobbiton Movie Set. Our tours operate on the morning of event day and preparing the course for participants to journey through the Movie Set requires additional time. The final morning tour departs from The Shire’s Rest at 11.30am, and once those guests have completed their visit, the team begins preparing the Movie Set for the Middle-earth Halfling Marathon.

We are offering free return transport options for participants and spectators of the Middle-earth Halfling Marathon. Return transfer options will be available from Matamata Information Centre, 45 Broadway, Matamata and the Victoria Street Bus Stop opposite the Cambridge Town Hall. Please select your preferred transport option at time of registration. 

Limited parking is available at The Shire's Rest, 501 Buckland Road, Matamata and must be booked at time of registration. All vehicles arriving at The Shire's Rest for the event MUST have an officially issued parking pass which will be issued and sent to participants. When parking allocations at The Shire's Rest are exhausted, all remaining registrations for the event must utilise the free return transport options from Matamata or Cambridge. 

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.

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. 

There are no discounts available for Hobbiton Movie Set Tours included in race registration.

If you would like to book a tour of Hobbiton Movie Set, you can book via the website here. 

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. 

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.

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 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.

Prizegiving will take place at the Halfling Event Village at 6.00pm on race day, 20 March 2027. 

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. 

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. 

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.