Back Paddock Off
Road Challenge
17 October 2021
The Platinum Homes Back Paddock Off Road Challenge
is an unique off road multi-sport experience in an absolutely stunning Central Hawkes Bay location with both family-friendly and challenging disciplines to suit EVERYONE.
Solo swim, solo walk/run, solo mountain bike options for kids and adults plus aquathlon and short and long course Duathlon and Triathlon. When we say "something for everyone" we mean it!
NEW in 2021 is the "Clash of the Corporates" Challenge. Get your workmates together and enter a 2 person Duathlon team or a 3 person Triathlon team in the Short Distance events, bring a marquee and make a day of it! Trophies and bragging rights on the line. Every finisher gets a medal and a meal!
They say a picture paints a thousand words, so check out the video from the 2020 event!
The event venue and background
Situated on a private farm on the Takapau Plains (15 min south of Waipukurau) family, friends and good times is at the core of the Backpaddock Lakes team. From humble beginnings, one day it was decided that it could be a good idea to dig up the back paddock of the family farm and try their luck at building a lake. A lake where family and friends could spend summer days enjoying each other’s company around the BBQ. Thankfully the water came and the team at Backpaddock Lakes have gone on to create a facility where kids can run wild and people from the community can enjoy an authentic lakeside experience like no other.
To see more of what Backpaddock Lakes is all about please click HERE
The Event
The majestic and forever-changing Ruahine Range acts as the perfect backdrop for these awesome lakes and our off road events. The native wetlands are constantly changing through the seasons and provide a peaceful retreat from the busy activities on the two water sports lakes. The dedicated native wetland area is approximately two hectares and includes seven islands made up of channels and open water separated by native plantings and local wildlife. This makes for the unique experience like no other and the perfect location for our swim, mountain bike and trail run courses. Water quality is regularly tested and surpasses all health and safety requirements for swimming and the lake is kept warm as it is only 2 metres deep.
Due to Covid Alert Level 2, we have had to make changes to our schedule and start times (at bottom of page). We know this is an inconvenience, but we still think we can offer an amazing athlete experience in a stunning location and keep everyone safe under the current Covid guidelines. The only other option was to cancel, but then everyone misses out so please understand why these changes have been made.
Solo Trail Walk/Run
Whether you want to walk/run and enjoy the scenery or want to be a bit more competitive and aim for a personal best, it is all about being out there and getting involved. It is a 2.5km trail, mostly flat multi-lap course and will follow the perimeter of the lake, finishing back where you started in the event village.
Distances include -
5km Trail Walk/Run - 7 years +
10km Trail Walk/Run - 12 years +
(NEW) Solo Lake Swim
This year we are excited to be able to offer a swim-only discipline as requested. This is a safe lake that is 2 metres deep and only 100 metres wide with a dedicated water safety team on the lake to ensure you are well supported at all times. No tides, currents or waves to worry about and you are close to the waters edge at all times.
Distances include-
500m Swim - 12 years +
1km Swim - 14 years +
Solo Mountain Bike
The mountain bike events are on a specifically designed, unique, mostly flat off road course (no big hills!). Starting in waves, the course follows the outer perimeter of the lake (not on the run course) with multiple distances which makes this a family friendly course, but also a very competitive one for those racers out there.
7km Mountain Bike (1 Lap) - 12 years +
21km Mountain Bike (3 Laps) - 14 years +
Aquathlon
Ok, so you aren't sure about the mountain bike and swimming and running is your thing - then we have added an Aquathlon distance for you. Come and be part of the fun!
1km swim and 10km run - 14 years +
Duathlon - Individuals and Teams and Clash of the Corporates
Don’t feel like getting your feet wet? The Duathlon is the perfect option to blast it out on the wetlands of Backpaddock Lakes.
Minimum ages to apply. If you would like to register someone younger please email events@trihb.kiwi for approval.
Short Distance Duathlon 12 years +. Clash of the Corporates Distance.
7km Mountain Bike
5km Trail Run
Long Distance Duathlon 14 years +. Due to COVID restriction distances have been changed
14km Mountain Bike
7.5km Trail Run
Off Road Triathlon - Individuals and Teams and Clash of the Corporates
If one discipline isn’t enough then let’s put it all together and do all three!!
The swim will start on the shoreline and will be a 1 lap course in the clear waters of the spring-fed lake directly from the Ruahine Ranges. We will be offering 2 distances and will consist of a fresh water swim, mountain bike and a trail run at the end just to keep you honest. This is multi-lap course so your supporters will get to cheer you on to the finish.
Minimum ages do apply. If you would like to enter someone younger please email events@trihb.kiwi for prior approval.
Short Distance Triathlon - 14 years +. Clash of the Corporates Distance
500m Swim
14km Mountain Bike
5km Trail Run
Long Distance Triathlon - 16 years +.
1km Swim
21km Mountain Bike
10km Trail Run
(NEW) Kids and Family Events Due to COVID restrictions the schedule of these events have changed to Saturday 16 October. Please see below for more details.
The Back Paddock Off Road Challenge team want to make the event an affordable experience for the whole family especially because the courses have all age groups in mind.
We are super stoked to announce this year we will have kids individual disciplines for those aspiring young athletes in the family. If your child is a little nervous, we also have options for a registered guardian to join them on the bike and/or run for support. These kids events are designed as an introduction to multi-sport and no times will be taken. This is about participation and fun and the kids will get a medal!
Distances - 7 - 14 years. Can be accompanied by one registered adult.
1.30pm 3km Mountain Bike
2.30pm 2.5km Walk/Run
Please click on appropriate event (on the right) for pricing. All registrations will incur an online registration fee (5% + $1 NZD). Entries for this event will be very limited, so don't miss out, get your entry in early. If not sold out, entries will close at 11.59pm on Monday 11 October, 2021.
Course Maps (please click on apppropriate map below)
500m Swim map
1km Swim Map
Trail Run Course
MTB Course
Entry to this event includes:
Race Bib (except solo swimmers)
Finishers medal (all distances - including kids events)
Medical support/assistance
Aid stations with water, electrolyte sports drink and nutrition plus toilets and first aid
Post-event recovery area at the finish
All registered finishers will receive their medal and a complimentary packed meal at the finish line.
Loads of sponsor giveaways and spot prizes to be distributed randomly at the finish.
Due to Covid Alert Level 2, we have had to make changes to our schedule and start times. We know this is an inconvenience, but we still think we can offer an amazing athlete experience in a stunning location and keep everyone safe under the current Covid guidelines. The only other option was to cancel, but then everyone misses out so please understand why these changes have been made.
Event Schedule 16 October 2021 - Alert Level 2
2.30pm – Registration for kids/family events
3pm - Start Kids/Family 3km Mountain Bike
3.45pm - Start Kids/Family 2.5km Trail run
4.30pm - Course closed. Spot prizes will be randomly allocated at the finish line.
Spectators are permitted at the kids events, but must stay in the allocated areas.
Event Schedule 17 October 2021 - Alert Level 2
8.30am – Registration open Duathlon, solo mountain bike and solo run events
8.30am – Transition open for bike racking (Duathlon only)
9.15am – Race briefing for Duathlon, solo mountain bike and solo run events
9.25am - Start Duathlon and solo mountain bikers (wave starts)
9.35am - Start solo runners (wave starts)
11.45am - Course closed. All athletes to leave venue with medal and packed lunch.
11.45am - 12.15pm VENUE DEEP CLEAN
12.30pm - Registration open for triathlon, solo swim and aquathlon events
12.30pm - Transition open for triathlon bike racking and aquathlon gear set up
1.15pm - Race briefing for triathlon, solo swim and aquathlon
1.30pm - Start triathlon, solo swim and aquathlon
4.30pm - Course closed. All athletes to leave venue with medal and packed meal.
Please note details for the all events including maps are subject to change and will be updated accordingly.
Unfortunately due to Covid Alert Level 2 there are NO SPECTATORS PERMITTED on Sunday October 17, 2021.
We need to seperate entries into 3 bubbles of less than 100.
Bubble 1 - Kids events on Saturday 16 October afternoon (2.30-5pm Sat)
Bubble 2 - Duathlon, solo mountain bike and solo run (8.30-11.45am Sun)
Bubble 3 - Triathlon, solo swim and aquathlon (12.30-4.30pm Sun)
And these bubbles can't mix.
We are just as disappointed as you that we can't offer the full experience with more entries and spectators, but this is a way where we can still facilitate the event, in a safe way and offer athletes a great experience. We thank you for your understanding.
Covid 19
Full event health and safety plans are in place along with a full Covid Activation Plan including contact tracing, QR codes, hand sanitiser at the event. Back Paddock Off Road Challenge will be held in Alert Level 1 or Alert Level 2. In Alert Level 2, changes will be made to timings and numbers will be strictly limited.
If the Covid Alert level suddenly changes to Level 3 or 4 the event will be postponed to 21 November, 2021.
So get involved and register today!
