The Races
You can choose which direction you run the main race, but so the front of the field is racing the same course, one direction is set as the podium direction. For 2027 the podium direction is Jumbo→Holdsworth (anti-clockwise).
To place on the podium and qualify for category prizes you need to enter the Jumbo→Holdsworth race. Final results include every runner, with your direction noted, and every competitor is eligible for spot prizes. The Hooper Loop runs in one direction only, and all its runners qualify for that race's podium and category prizes.
24km Main Race
Date: Saturday 30th January 2027 (Auckland Anniversary Weekend)
Registration opens: 6:30am
Race briefing: 7:45am at the gate
Race start: 8:00am
Distance: 24km
Elevation: ~1500m
Entries: max 130 per direction
Cut-offs (J→H): Atiwhakatu Hut 1hr 10min, Jumbo Hut 2hr 20min
Cut-off (H→J): Powell Hut 1hr 50min
Minimum age: 18 as at 30/01/2027
Map & profile: Download PDF
No entries on the day.
12km Hooper Loop
Date: Saturday 30th January 2027
Registration opens: 7:45am
Race briefing: 8:45am at the gate
Race start: 9:00am
Distance: 12km
Elevation: ~500m
Entries: 300 max across all races combined
Minimum age: 14 as at 30/01/2027
Map & profile: Download PDF
No entries on the day.
The Courses
24km Jumbo→Holdsworth — Podium Direction
The classic circuit, run anti-clockwise. Graded tracks lead you in before a steep climb out of the bushline onto exposed ridges. Once you've traversed from Jumbo to Holdsworth, graded paths take you downhill to the finish. Suits those who like a flat, fast start with a VERY steep, tough, technical climb. Strict cut-offs; for fit competitors with reasonable mountain and trail experience.
The race starts at 8am from the Mt Holdsworth HQ carpark and heads through Donnelly Flat to join the undulating Atiwhakatu track to Atiwhakatu Hut (7.5km). From here the steep Rain Gauge track climbs to Jumbo Hut (10km, 1105m) and on to the Jumbo summit (1405m). At the summit, turn left at the marshalled sign and head south along the undulating main range to Mt Holdsworth Trig (14km, 1470m). From the Trig turn left again and descend via Powell Hut (15.7km, 1160m) and the well-graded Gentle Annie track to Holdsworth Lodge and the finish.
24km Holdsworth→Jumbo
The clockwise version. You climb steep graded paths until you break out onto the exposed ridges above the bushline, traverse from Holdsworth to Jumbo, then descend a rugged path to the valley and finish along a fast, flat river track. Suits those who enjoy technical downhills and a smooth, flat finish. Also starts at 8am — your course splits off at the Gentle Annie turnoff, where Holdsworth→Jumbo runners turn left and Jumbo→Holdsworth runners continue straight on to Donnelly Flat. Strict cut-offs apply.
12km Hooper Loop
Keeping mainly within the bush, this circuit follows graded tracks with a reasonably steep climb in the middle section. It suits everyone from novice to elite, and is the race to choose if you may not make the cut-offs on the big course. Starting at 9am from the Mt Holdsworth HQ carpark, it heads through Donnelly Flat along the Atiwhakatu track for 4km, turns left onto the River Ridge track to climb to the Gentle Annie track junction (650m), then descends the Gentle Annie track to Holdsworth Lodge and the finish.
Maps & profiles: 24km courses (PDF) · 12km Hooper Loop (PDF)
All events are in the mountains, which carry a large element of risk — weather, underfoot conditions and the strenuous nature of the event can all cause problems. Familiarise yourself with the course, check your gear meets the mandatory list, and get fit and confident. The cut-offs are there for everyone's safety and are very strict.
Race Categories
Placings are only given in the podium direction (anti-clockwise, Jumbo first). If there are insufficient entries, categories may be combined.
- Junior Women & Men — under 21
- Senior Women & Men — 21 to 39
- Vet Women & Men — 40 to 49
- Super Vet Women & Men — 50+
Other prizes
- Powell Hut Sub 60 Club (men) and Sub 70 Club (women) — reaching Powell Hut in under 60 / 70 minutes
- King and Queen of the Mountain — first to summit the first mountain (Holdsworth or Jumbo) in each direction
- Midpacker prize — the woman and man closest to the average of the fastest and slowest times on either main course
Mandatory Gear
All of the below is MANDATORY — no exceptions. Mountain weather can change very quickly, so we place a lot of importance on your gear. All competitors have their gear checked at registration before they can start.
24km Main Race
- Map of the course or GPS unit with topo map installed*
- Survival blanket or survival bag
- Waterproof over-trousers OR polyprop/wool long johns
- Polyprop/wool top
- Wool hat or appropriate buff
- Decent warm gloves
- Seam-sealed jacket with a hood — rain AND wind proof
- Cup or bottle for water (no cups at the huts)
12km Hooper Loop
- Map of the course or GPS unit with topo map installed*
- Polyprop/wool top
- Wool hat or appropriate buff
- Decent warm gloves
- Seam-sealed jacket with a hood — rain AND wind proof
* GPS units are accepted at the gear checker's discretion. Copies of maps will be available.
Race referees may refuse entry to, or disqualify, competitors who do not carry the correct gear and comply with safety requirements.
Also recommended: sunscreen, sunhat, good trail shoes, and your own water and food if you expect to be out a while. Bring cash for coffee and massage. Poles are permitted but should not be used along the valley floor when there is lots of runners in close proximity. Nutrition during the race is your responsibility.
Aid Stations
Marshals are positioned at junctions around the course and at the huts. Jumbo Hut, Powell Hut and Atiwhakatu Hut are marshalled with radios and record your split times. All three huts have water tanks and lollies to eat or take with you. There are also marshals on the peaks of Jumbo and Holdsworth, a tail-end charlie on each course, and a roaming medic.
Water availability at the huts depends on seasonal conditions and will be confirmed at race briefing.
Start, Finish & Getting Here
The race starts from the gate at the end of the Mt Holdsworth DOC campsite (Google Maps) and finishes at Holdsworth Lodge, 500m up the road from the gate.
- Registration is under the shelter to the right of the gate; briefings are at the gate.
- Toilets are by registration at the start and by Holdsworth Lodge at the finish, with more throughout the campsite.
- Coffee is available to buy at the start and finish — cash only.
- A free light lunch is offered to competitors from 11:30am at the finish.
- Prizegiving is held as soon as possible after the last competitor finishes, or from around 1pm if there's a delay.
- Camping is available overnight at the DOC campsite (bookings required and DOC fees apply) — see the DOC website.
Race Rules
The Jumbo-Holdsworth Trail Race has an AdventureMark-certified safety plan. Please follow these rules to help us keep the event as safe as possible.
- Competitors must carry the mandatory gear listed above.
- Race referees reserve the right to withdraw any competitor deemed to be at risk.
- Jumbo→Holdsworth: strict cut-off of 2hr 20min at Jumbo Hut. Anyone taking longer will not be allowed to continue. Competitors who don't reach Atiwhakatu Hut within 1hr 10min will also be withdrawn there.
- Holdsworth→Jumbo: strict cut-off of 1hr 50min at Powell Hut. Anyone taking longer will not be allowed to continue.
- You are responsible for the safety of other competitors. If you find someone in difficulty you must offer assistance and notify the nearest race official. A time adjustment will be given for your help.
- Jumbo→Holdsworth runners may have to wait at the first swing bridge — one person at a time. Marshals will move people across as quickly as possible.
- Runners arriving at that swing bridge together that aren't in a queue (i.e racing within sight of each other) should wait for the other to cross before racing again.
- Stay on established tracks — don't damage vegetation by setting your own course.
- Display your race number clearly at all times, especially at checkpoints and the finish.
- Pack in, pack out. Anyone reported deliberately discarding rubbish will be disqualified. Please pick up any rubbish you see.
- If you pull out after the start for any reason you MUST report to the race director or timing tent at race control before leaving the park.
- Tararua Forest Park stays open — be careful and considerate of other track users.
- Main race competitors must be 18+ and Hooper Loop competitors 14+ as at 30/01/2027, or at the organisers' discretion.
Complaints or incidents: if you have a complaint or witnessed an incident during the race, please email the race director at race@jumbo-holdsworth.co.nz with as much detail as possible.