REGISTRATION-
registration will begin at 8:30 am on sunday morning at Up the Creek River Centre. Here you will get your competitor pack, course outline and bib. A Brieffing at 10am will answer any questions or assist with explanations of any day changes to the courses.

Volunteers...please arrive around 10:15 to Up the CReek River Centre for further instructions and thank you for your help!

Categories

Event
Team or Individual

Division
Open Men
Open Women
Open Junior (under 17)
Under 12 (biathlon only)
Veteran (36+)

Courses

Long
The LONG COURSE is NOT available this year. Sorry,
but that river is LOW!!!

Short
Cycle - The short course kicks off with a 13km cycle down the Kawhatau Valley Road over the old Mangaweka Bridge to the campgrounds. All on tar seal.

Kayak - The kayak race starts at Mangaweka campground and takes racers 7km down to the Mangarere Road Bridge.

Run - Up the hill to State Highway One, the 5km run takes its course through Mangaweka township and down to the Mangaweka Camping Ground to the finish line.

Biathlon
Cycle - The biathlon course kicks off with a 13km cycle(same as the short course competitors) down the Kawhatau Valley Road, over the old Mangaweka Bridge to the campgrounds. All on tar seal.

Run - 5km run up Ruahine Rd, turning off at top to the turnaround point then back down to campground to the finish line.

Featuring the popular Rangitikei River, the Weka Wildthing is a run cycle kayak event held in the rugged hill country around Mangaweka, many say one of the most beautiful multi sport locations. Basing itself at the Mangaweka Camping Grounds, there are three choices of race in the Weka Wildthing,long course, short course and biathlon, with several catergories and reasonable entry fees.

The Weka Wildthing is organised by the team at MAC. It started as a fun way for locals to celebrate the river and over the last 13 years it has grown into a popular annual event. It helps to fundraise money for local Outdoor Education and organisations and raises district awareness.

MAC takes every opportunity to organise kayak instruction before the race date, for those not so confident on the water. Plus, with available kayak hire, there is no need to go purchase one. If you are in need of other items, MAC can assist in finding the extra person for the leg you need or even with race support. Online entry is available or you can have one sent your way! If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.

Where is Mangaweka?

Mangaweka is 25kms south of Taihape. Most famous for the DC-3 tearooms, it is becoming a popular stop on St Hwy 1! Mangaweka is also known for the rugged hills surrounding the town and the towering Papa cliffs the nearby Rangitikei River has formed.

The running and cycling legs of the Weka Wildthing are raced down the beautiful Kawhatau Valley, running out to the east of Mangaweka to the base of the Ruahine Ranges through the Auputa Reserve. The kayaking legs take athletes through numerous Grade 2 rapids amid the Papa and Sandstone Gorges on the Rangitikei River.

Entry Fees

There are teams categories, biathlon options and age sections. Heres how they stand: