Mt Isthmus Traverse 2026

Mt Isthmus Traverse is an off-road running event on Glen Dene Station near Lake Hawea, New Zealand. Active QT organizes it, with four race options: a 42.2km Mountain Marathon, a 27km Hill Run, a 10km Trail-Hill Run, and a 5km Trail-Hill Run. The longer races start in the morning from Dinner Flat, while the shorter trail-hill races start later from the same start and finish area. The course uses mountain trails, single track, ridgelines, and 4WD farm tracks, with open views over Lake Hawea and the Southern Alps. The marathon is the hardest option, with 2,175m of climbing and big alpine climbs and descents; the 27km race still packs in 1,529m of gain on rugged hill terrain. Even the shorter races are not flat: the 10km has 652m of climbing, and the 5km loop still climbs 310m, so this series suits runners who want hills rather than a fast road-style effort.