About This Event
The Mt Difficulty Ascent presents New Zealand's Central Otago region in its most challenging form, combining technical mountain terrain with the refined hospitality of wine country. Starting from Mt Difficulty Winery in Bannockburn, this adventure run lives up to its name with demanding ascents that require both running fitness and mountaineering skills. The event's defining characteristic is the 500-meter climb over just one kilometer that gives the race its name—an average gradient of 50% that transforms runners into scramblers. Four designated "cautionary" sections demand careful foot placement and occasional use of hands, with course marshals emphasizing safety protocols for loose rock terrain. Beyond the technical challenges, the event showcases the dramatic landscape of the Kawarau River valley and surrounding peaks. Highland Events has maintained this race since 2008, creating a community-focused experience complete with gear checks, comprehensive safety requirements, and post-race hospitality that reflects the region's welcoming character.
Choose Your Distance
25K
A 25K trail race, Bannockburn, Otago.
44K
The 44K extends beyond the 25K turnaround point for additional ridge running and technical terrain. This ultra distance demands sustained focus through repeated technical sections while managing nutrition and safety gear over the full mountain traverse with a 5pm cutoff time.