Extra Info

Getting there

The Pig Paddock is on Silverstream Valley Rd next to the Silverstream/Whakaehu carpark. It’s about 20 min drive from the centre of Dunedin and 13 minutes from Mosgiel.

Click on the map below for directions…

The quickest way is down Three Mile Hill Rd towards Mosgiel then turn right at the bottom and travel up Silverstream Valley Rd. The last km is gravel.

Carparking for participants and support crew will be available inside the Pig Paddock gate. It’s suitable for 2 wheel drive vehicles.

The Pig Paddock is not suitable for caravans or camper vans. Drive these through the gate to the left and follow Silverstream Valley Rd to park outside the gate at the top end of the Pig Paddock.

Here’s a map of the site…

  • Spare shoes and socks – there are a few water crossings. Even a sock change can help protect the feet.
  • Water – heaps for you and your support crew
  • Food – several meals worth including some hot options
  • Equipment like a gas burner or stove to heat your meals and hot drinks
  • Amazing costumes for relay teams (not for 2022 – [insert sad pig emoji])
  • Gumboots – it might rain…
  • Lots of warm clothes including beanies, puffer jackets, fluffy socks. It may get cool at nighttime.
  • Lights for night time (and spare batteries) – to light up your tent and head-torch/torch to find your way around the venue and course
  • Toilet paper (in case we run out)
  • Big black sack or similar to chuck all your wet gear and rubbish in
  • Camp chairs/stretchers for your breaks or for your support crew to enjoy the food and live music while you are doing each lap
  • Fully charged powerbanks to charge your phones and watches
  • Blankets and your favourite cuddly toy
  • Basic first aid kit

All the Rules

  • Runners must finish the lap within 1 hour
  • The next lap starts on the hour every hour after that
  • Participants must be in the starting corral by the start time on the hour
  • Warnings will be given at 3, 2, and 1 minutes prior to start
  • Runners may not leave the course until each loop is completed (once started you must complete a loop before any support is given/taken)
  • No non-competitors on the course (including eliminated runners).
  • No personal aid/support during a lap (the one aid/support location is the event base)
  • No artificial aids (including poles!)
  • Slower runners – please allow faster runners to pass
  • The winner is the last person to complete a lap when all others have given up
  • All others are technically DNF
  • If no runner can complete one more lap than anyone else, there is no winner
  • Please report to the timing area when you decide you can no longer go on

Health and Safety

  • Please be aware this is a trail running event. It’s not just a walk in the park. You are responsible for your own well-being so don’t be stupid.
  • The course includes hazards such as:
    • Stream crossings with slippery rocks
    • Trails with tree routes
    • Uneven ground
  • If you see another runner in trouble please stop and help.
  • If you can’t help the runner then please let staff know when you return to the corral.
  • Littering of any kind is prohibited. Please respect the natural beauty of our trails and the right of everyone to enjoy them.
  • Runners must refrain from any act of bad sportsmanship.
  • Smoking is not permitted on any section of the coursel. Anyone who smokes on the Course will be removed from the Paddock. 
  • Any runner who is unable to finish the run must personally inform the timing official at the finish of their decision to withdraw and make sure their race number is recorded.
  • Runners who leave the course without turning in their race number will be classified as “lost,” thereby activating a search. Time spent searching for any such runner will be billed to the runner.
  • Be respectful of other users of the track – such as recreational walkers, runners and mountain bikers.
  • Event staff have all rights and can eject runners or support crew if their behaviour detracts from or interferes with the event.
  • Although a fun party atmosphere is encouraged, drunkenness is not permitted. Any person drinking in excess will be ejected from the Paddock. 
  • The course will be marked with signage like this…

Timing

  • Ultra runners have a timing chip on the back of their race bib. This must be worn on the front at all times and please do not fold the timing chip/sticker as it won’t work and you’ll have no laps/time recorded.

Live Results

  • Results will be published live here when the race begins

Phone/Internet Coverage

  • There’s pretty much no cell coverage anywhere on the Pig Route.
  • We will have a satellite providing wifi internet throughout the Paddock for posting to social media and following the live feed.
  • Please tag @pigsbackyardultra on Facebook and Instagram.
  • Please no uploading or downloading of videos or other data-rich stuff or we will be forced to turn it off!