Choose your mission.

Mission Mt Somers at Staveley in Canterbury on 1 November 2025 has 42km marathon, 21km half marathon, 10km & 5km trail run events.

42k's of Somers Marathon

The marathon event begins and finishes at the legendary Staveley Village Store located in the heart of one of New Zealand’s tight-knit rural communities, where the culture is warm, the atmosphere is friendly and the pace is “just like life should be.”

On this one day of the year however the pace is a little hotter! On leaving the store the course will follow gravel road and farm tracks until it meets the start of the South Face Route of the Mt Somers Loop.  This track is technical single track initially climbing to 1080 metres, before levelling out and contouring through a mix of open grassland and forested catchments. With most of the marked single track being not more than ten years old the track provides plenty of technical running.

On reaching the Bus Stop track junction, competitors will follow a steep jagged descent to the Woolshed Creek carpark where they will join the half marathon course which they will follow to the finish, this will also be the first of three drink stations.

The marathon consists of predominately technical single track, with nearly 2000 metres of vertical to climb - it is a challenging course. Be ready to add a couple of hours to your road marathon time, this is an adventure run! The average time for the marathon is 6.5 hours and the half is 4.5 hours. If you are running the marathon you must be at the half way point (Woolshed Creek car park) by 11:30am to meet the cut-off. If you make this you are good to carry on. There is no cut off time for the half marathon - once you are on it, the only way out is by foot! 

There will be a drop box at the Hall that will be taken to the half way point, and then bought back to the start/finish at the Hall.

Registration: 6am - 6.40am (The Staveley Hall)

Briefing: 6.45am (Start Line)

Start Time: 7.00am (The Staveley Hall)

Prizegiving: 2.00pm approximately (The Staveley Hall)

You must attend the prize giving to receive prizes - no prizes will be sent out.

MMS Half Marathon

The Mission Mt Somers half marathon competitors will begin in the Woolshed Creek Carpark where they will follow the Miners track to Woolshed Creek hut (second aid station). On reaching the Woolshed Creek hut the courses major climb begins to the Mt Somers saddle 1170 metres. From here it is a technical single track descent to Pinnacles Hut. Keep one eye on the track and the other looking out for the native kārearea amongst the stunning rock formations.

From Pinnacles Hut runners will descend out of the sub alpine environment into the black beech forest. The track is a continual undulating single track until runners reach the Sharplin Falls carpark where they join the 10km course track over farm land to return to the township of Staveley and the finish line.

Please not there is absolutely no room for cars at the start of the half marathon, which is why the price of the shuttle bus is included in your entry fee.

Once you register at the Staveley Hall, you must catch the bus at Staveley Hall which will take you to the start of the half marathon. 

You cannot drive to the start. If you miss the bus you will have to drive 20minutes and then walk the 5km to the start line - so don't be late! 

There will be a drop box at the start of the half marathon for you to drop any extra clothing off for us to return to the finish line. Please have this equipment clearly named (Enduranz Events takes no responsibility for lost or damaged property). 

Registration: 6.15am - 7.30am (The Staveley Hall)
Once registered go and jump on a bus, once each bus is full it will leave 7.40am

Briefing: 8.15am (Start Line)

Start Time: 8.30am (Woolshed Creek Carpark)

Prizegiving: 2.00pm approximately (The Staveley Hall)

You must attend the prize giving to receive prizes - no prizes will be sent out.

Staveley 10K Off Road Run/Walk

The Staveley 10 kilometre run will be the ultimate introduction into off-road running. The run consists of a loop which will depart from the iconic Staveley Store following Bowyers stream and taking competitors past the quaint winter Staveley ice skating rinks.

Once exiting the skating area competitors will have a taste of hill climbing with a 40 metre altitude gain allowing for stunning views of the Canterbury Plains and a taste of Canterbury foothill beech forest running at its best. From this high point it is all downhill past the historic Staveley lime kilns and back to Staveley store for some well-deserved country fare!

Registration: 9.00am - 9.40am (The Staveley Hall)

Briefing: 9.45am (Start Line)

Start Time: 10.00am (The Staveley Hall)

Prizegiving: 12.00pm approximately (The Staveley Hall)

You must attend the prize giving to receive prizes - no prizes will be sent out.

5km Introductory Off-Road Run/Walk

New in 2016, the 5km track is aimed at our aspirant runners of the future. This year you will be shuttled to the start of the 5km race (Staveley Ice Rink), and will run the second half of the 10km loop, exiting the skating area before getting a taste of hill climbing with a 40 metre altitude gain allowing for stunning views of the Canterbury Plains and a taste of Canterbury foothill beech forest running at its best.

From this high point it is all downhill past the historic Staveley lime kilns and back to the Staveley Hall. Do it with your kids and give them a taste of off-road running, or do it yourself as a good excuse to get outdoors and amongst nature

This race can also be walked, however there is no separate walking category.

Please note all competitors catch a shuttle to the start of the 5km race at Staveley Ice Rink. There is no access for spectators, but there are plenty of marshalls overseeing the competitors at the start line. Parents can grab a coffee at Staveley Store and wait eagerly at the finish line, or run with their child for free (no need for parents to enter).

Registration:  9.00am - 9.40am (The Staveley Hall)

Briefing: 10.15am (Start Line)

Start Time: 10.30am (The Staveley Hall)

Prizegiving: 12.00pm approximately (The Staveley Hall)

You must attend the prize giving to receive prizes - no prizes will be sent out.

MMS FAQs

We do get asked a lot of questions. Here's some frequently asked questions and answers.

Compulsory Gear

All marathon and half marathon runners must carry a day pack with the following compulsory equipment: (clothing must fit the competitor), spare polypropylene/wool top and hat (unless worn), Waterproof jacket (unless being worn), Food and drink, First aid kit which must contain: a roll of 5cm width crepe bandage, a roll of 2cm strapping tape, 10 band aid strips, a triangular bandage, small scissors, a survival blanket and a map or screenshots of the area if they have not been through the run before. There will be spot bag checks at registration and briefing - no equipment, no race. 

Aid Stations

Aid Station 1: Woolshed Creek carpark (marathoners) will have water, lollies, bananas and PURE electrolyte hydration. There will be no cups - you will have to fill your drink bottles. Drop box facility if you want to restock your bag or do a bag swap out. 

Aid Station 2: Woolshed Creek Hut (marathoners and half marathoners) will have water, bananas, lollies and PURE electrolyte hydration. There will be no cups - you will have to fill your drink bottles.

Aid Station 3: Just past Sharplin Falls carpark (5km to go). Will have water, lollies and PURE electrolyte hydration. 

We will not be supplying cups this year, so you will need to bring your own vessel to fill up at the aid stations.**

Prizes

Marathon - Open Women Winner $ 500 & Open Men Winner $ 500
Half Marathon - Open Women Winner $ 250 & Open Men Winner $ 250

Bonus Prizes - $200 bonus to the fastest half marathon individual who can break 2 hours.

If you ran the race last year, there is a prize up for grabs for the athlete that shaves the most time off their last years time.

Race Transfer

If you're not quite as fit as you'd hope to be, we are happy to transfer your entry from the full to half marathon - or vice versa if you want to upsize to the marathon.

Showers

There are no showers available at Staveley, however there is a refreshing stream just up the road.

Massage

There will be no massage therapist present at MMS 2025

ATMs

Staveley is located in the whops, there is only a cafe there. No ATMs.

Merch

Limited edition Enduranz Events caps in a variety of colours will be for sale on the day for $30 (RRP $40).Cash only.

Coffee

Staveley Store will be open early for your caffeine fix, and food.