PONY EXPRESS
For the Packies, Cooks, Cowboys, Wranglers & the BOY!
64km
distance
1389m
Climb
1671m
Drop
Race Information
THE DEPT OF CONSERVATION HAS RENEGED ON THEIR CATEGORICAL STATEMENT AND PROMISE THAT THEY WOULD HAVE A REPLACEMENT MACARTHUR BRIDGE IN PLACE BEFORE XMAS! Therefore we have been forced to cancel the 2024 Pony Express!
The Pony Express should be back for 2025! With an extra aid station and a small change to the course – i.e. staying on the cycleway down to Lake Guyon turnoff before crossing the Waiau….
the James Ground Effect Pony Express is a shorter 64km MTB XCM adventure option to the Epic XCM race. Competitors will experience the full range of Epic St James station high country landscapes – mountain passes, high country lakes, sweeping tussock high country, beech clad braided river valleys, river crossings, swing bridges and superb single track…
64km
distance
1389m
Climb
1671m
Drop
Entry Fees
Individual: Earlybird – $170.00. General – $200.00. Late – $215.00
Entry Cutoff
Cancelled for 2024!
Earlybird entry is now open for 2024 until Jul 31st. General entry closes on 20th Dec which is also the cutoff for entries if you want one of our engraved competitors dog whistles, as well as personalised number plate and other goodies in your registration bag. Whistles in particular need to be ordered now due to christmas holiday closures, so get in now or you will miss out.
All entries close 6th Jan.
Restrictions
The “James” Alpine Adventure race is an R15 event.
Start Times
Race start 9:00am start with briefing at 8:45am.
Competitors will be able to camp onsite at Lake Tennyson – there will be strict DoC rules in place. Briefing will be on the beach – be ready to start immediately after!
Average Times
- Womens 5:08:33
- Mens 4:49:06
- Overall 4:52:29
- Average expected finish time: 2:30pm
- Earliest finish expected: 12:30 pm
Course Map
Course Elevation
Course Notes
The race will start at 9:00 am (race briefing 8:45 am) from the Lake Tennyson car park area and follow the 4×4 track (think “Dual Single Track” – DST) to the top of Malings Pass, from where riders can enjoy a solid 5km downhill descent to the Waiau River. From here the course follows the St James Cycleway down to the Lake Guyon turnoff, turning right to cross the Waiau and onto the 4×4 track and the new Aid Station.
Passing around below the Homestead riders traverse across the lower Ada flats to cross the Ada River and enter the lower Henry Valley. Crossing through Delta Creek riders will cross the Henry River and join the stock track up over the Zigzag and down the Waiau Valley to cross the lower swing bridge.
Joining the DST, riders will climb up the Waiau terraces and up over Charlie’s saddle to follow the 4×4 track up the Edwards valley (crossing the river 3 times) where (at around the 60km mark) they will have one last short-sharp climb up out of Bull Gully before decending down to the Edwards gate at the Clarence where they will follow the road back to the finish at the St James homestead.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
GPS Live Tracking by TrackME NZ
Live tracking is included for the first 180 entries (across all races except the Mad Cow & Homestead Half). So all your mates can watch your progress online at home – https://trackme.kiwi/eventgroup/54/stjameshanmer
e-Bikes
we are accepting e-bike entry for a non competitive class only.
Be Prepared!
Competitors can expect very hot conditions – be prepared and stay adequately hydrated. There will be marshal stations at various points (including three major stations on the MTB stage, with EM’s goodies, R-Line, water, banana’s, sunscreen & crampstop) but this is remote country so all competitors will need to be self-sufficient – all rivers & creeks should be ok to drink from directly. You will come through transition twice on the run.
Minimum Gear Requirements
All competitors will be required to carry a minimum amount of safety/emergency gear – it can go from hot sun to heavy snow in a matter of hours even in the height of summer. By preference race organisers require all riders to use hydration packs and not water bottles – these are too often lost/dropped from bikes and left on the track. As with any littering any competitor caught dropping rubbish will be intantly disqualified.
Race Briefing
All Competitors must attend the race briefing – All bikes & gear should be in place in the 1st transition area before this!. Solo competitors are required to have one nominated support crew who will be responsible for their gear (including placement of gear in the transition zone) and shall have access to the transition zones for that purpose and to assist the competitor if required. No other people will be allowed in any of the transition zones!
Anyone who is unable to meet these conditions should notify The Yeti (theyeti@stjamesmountainsports.co.nz) to make other arrangements.
Choose Your Challenge
Confirmed Entries & Results
Course Records
Womens
Ingrid Richter 3:23:40 (2015)
Mens
Tony Hopkins 2:55:00 (2014)
