The Martinborough
Skyline Challenge & Family Day

The Martinborough Skyline Challenge & Family Day

Sat 29 March, 2025 (Tickets available from 17 January 2025)

Two new long courses for 2025 -> 20km and 28km

Try them out – Run, ride your own mountain bike or hire a bike from Green Jersey (standard or electric)

There are some changes for 2025 but as usual, Skyline offers something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for:

• A serious run or bike ride in some of Wairarapa’s best hill country
• A scenic walk or run in beautiful surroundings to complete (or counteract!) a Martinborough weekend of great food & drink
  • A family day out with sun and open-air exercise with some of the best views in the region…

…then come alive in ’25 with Skyline.

With the promise of a great summer this year, get your tickets early and maybe make a weekend of it in beautiful Martinborough.

The changes for 2025 are:

1. Earlier date: We are holding the event a few weeks earlier this year to make great weather on the day even more likely
2. New long courses: We have replaced the two longest (34km & 19km), most-difficult courses with new alternative courses (28km & 20km) that, while still very definitely presenting challenges, cover better terrain including using more formed tracks and laneways, less-steep climbs and drier surfaces. We’ve achieved this while still keeping great views and fast downhill sections and making the courses easier for marshals to manage.

Set on the private hill farmland of the historic Huangarua and Puruatanga farms, this family-friendly event offers participants of varying abilities a chance to experience the local Martinborough hills and views while mountain-biking or cross-country running. There is a fabulous scenic walking opportunity as well.

The courses are designed to make the most of the hilly terrain for the expert athletes, provide a challenge for weekend athletes and an easier course for novices or the whole family. There will also be a kids’ course over flat terrain for riders 8 years of age and under. The walk provides stunning autumn views over the Martinborough Wine Village and beyond to the mountains. Add music, food and other refreshments and you have the perfect day out for everyone!

Please note that all courses, including the walk, do provide a challenge and some advance practice/training is advised for all participants.

The Martinborough Skyline Challenge 2025 will start and finish at:

276 Ponatahi Road
Martinborough

The event is held on farmland which is opened to the public just once a year.
It passes through two historic sheep stations Huangarua and Puruatanga (now re-named Martinborough Station) together with Awatane, all three being part of the original Martin family land-holdings.

Directions: From the church at the corner of Princess Street and Kitchener Street head north along Princess Street (towards Masterton) and 276 Ponatahi Road is located 2.76 kilometres from the church on the right-hand side. The base camp and start/finish areas can be seen from the road.