TERMS AND CONDITIONS

  • Promoters: Southern Lakes Ultra Limited are the organizers and promoters of the Southern Lakes Ultra.

  • The Event is a 6-Staged, 7-day, self-supported foot race held in New Zealand. Southern Lakes Ultra covers an approx. distance of 250km and around 8,000m elevation.

  • The race is open to Runners and Fast Walkers.

  • Unsupported Competitors will carry their own race pack containing food, sleeping bag, mat and other mandatory equipment specified by the Southern Lakes Ultra Team.

  • Supported Competitors will carry a day pack with all Mandatory equipment specified (excluding Sleeping Bag and Mat) and daily food.

  • There is to be no outside help to any athlete, unless at the discretion of the Race Director or Medical Team.

CATEGORIES OF COMPETITORS

  • Competitors must indicate on entry, the category they wish to race in.  Supported or Unsupported. The following Individual Categories will be used for placing Competitors and awarding prizes.
    Male Overall – 1st, 2nd and 3rd (Supported and Unsupported)
    Female Overall – 1st, 2nd and 3rd (Supported and Unsupported)

  • Self Sufficient. Whilst, competitors can select to compete as Supported or Unsupported, ALL competitors are considered Self Supported, meaning, every competitor is responsible for carrying, utilizing and having full knowledge, of all equipment, clothing and nutrition required for the full event. Cold Water is provided at check points, Hot and Cold Water is provided in camp. Limited Electrolyte Capsules and Sun Block will be provided at Check Points. Tents will be provided for all competitors and crew. All athletes must provide all medical supplies required for the week, with full knowledge of how to use.

  • Southern Lakes Ultra, will provide updated information (via email, website, and / or zoom, or similar), have a private athlete Facebook page, a Frequently Asked Question page on this website, and be available on email (info@southernlakesultra.com) to answer any questions you have in the lead up to Southern Lakes Ultra.

CONDITIONS OF ENTRY

  • All Competitors that take part in this event are to understand that this event is an outdoor event in sometimes very remote parts of New Zealand. Competitors are expected to have a good understanding of outdoor survival skills and have a good knowledge of their gear and how to use it.

  • Southern Lakes Ultra Course is on formed tracks, trails, farm and public roads. You do not need to navigate with a Compass. Each Competitor will have a Race Manual (and/or App) which must be carried / downloaded. (offline, onto a mobile device, with course details, including visual and written descriptions).

  • The course will be marked at key locations where there are turns, multiple options or extra special car required.

  • All Competitors will be provided with either / both a mandatory hard copy course manual or App. PLBs if required must be carried as directed.

  • Southern Lakes Ultra is an Outdoor Event Activity. Whilst all care is taken, athletes are ware and agree on entering, that partaking in Southern Lakes Ultra, exposes them to the outdoor environment, including, but not limited to, weather, terrain, trail conditions.

  • Competitors all agree on entering Southern Lakes Ultra, to Personal Responsibility – see further note below.

  • Competitors must be 21 years of age, or older, at the start date of the Event.  Special permission may be granted if you are under 21 at the race organisers discretion.

  • By completing the online entry form, you are agreeing to the Terms and Conditions as per this website and acknowledge no conversation will be engaged further once the terms and conditions are accepted.

  • Southern Lakes Ultra, reserve the right, if necessary, to consider taking deformation action against any person or organisation, who acts against the terms and conditions as outlined in this website. (www.southernlakesultra.com).

  • All Competitors taking part in Southern Lakes Ultra, acknowledge that the event will be physically demanding, with medical, physical and emotional risks involved. There is a very real risk of serious injury or even death from participation in events such as Southern Lakes Ultra, including, but not limited to, fatigue, exhaustion, injury, heat stroke, hypothermia, equipment failure, spectators, vehicles.

  • Competitors are solely responsible for your own individual training and preparation. Competitors must make sure they have a thorough understanding of the course and requirements to complete and ensure they turn up to Southern Lakes Ultra fully prepared for the adventure to be undertaken.

  • By submitting your entry form, you agree, that you are physically, mentally and emotionally capable of completing the event and agree that Southern Lakes Ultra Events Limited, the crew, volunteers, staff, agents, sponsors, suppliers, affiliates, contractors, medical advisors are not responsible or liable in the event of your death, or for any injury or illness that you may suffer as a result or in connection with your participation in Southern Lakes Ultra.

COMPETITORS WITHDRAWALS, CANCELLATIONS, ROLL OVERS AND REFUNDS

  • Southern Lakes Ultra offer an opt in, with your Entry, for Entry Protection Insurance, provided by X Cover (third party).  There is NO other Refund option.  Further details under INSURANCE.

  • Southern Lakes Ultra offer no “roll over” of your entry to a future year.

  • Southern Lakes Ultra do not allow your entry to be transferred to another athlete.

  • Any athlete who wishes to withdraw through out the Event, is able to do so.  Southern Lakes Ultra will transport to the nearest bus station, or back to Rydge’s Hotel in Queenstown, at the earliest convenient time for Southern Lakes Ultra crew.  Any costs incurred are payable by the athlete.

  • Once an athlete withdraws from Southern Lakes Ultra Event, Southern Lakes Ultra holds no responsibility for that athlete.

  • Please note, any purchases through Southern Lakes Ultra, such as, but not limited to, additional awards tickets, merchandise, are non-refundable.

  • Any purchases, such as, but not limited to, merchandise, must be collect at Race Registration. Items may be posted out to athletes, if requested in writing to Southern Lakes Ultra (info@southernlakesultra.com). Full payment, including postage must be received prior and Southern Lakes Ultra accepts no responsibility for damage or loss during post. Southern Lakes Ultra also accept no responsibility for any sizing issues, all measurements will be provided, and it is individuals responsibility to ensure the correct sizing is ordered.

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • All competitors and crew will complete a medical declaration. You confirm the information you provide about your medical history is accurate to the best of your knowledge. You acknowledge that the purpose of collecting this information is to ensure that all existing and/or past health conditions are declared prior to competition to allow risks to be assessed. You agree to accept responsibility for any failure to disclose or properly describe any existing or past health conditions. You undertake not to hold the race organizers and/or medical team liable for any claims and/or damages arising from, or relating to, my disclosure.

  • Southern Lakes Ultra is a self-supported event. Irrespective of which category you are entered into (supported / unsupported), athletes must be responsible for their own medical Supplies, Care and Safety during the event. You should train, race and prepare as if there is no medical support. This means you must carry ALL medical and safety, first aid supplies and equipment, with full knowledge of how to use. Southern Lakes Ultra will have medical personal as crew; however, they will be acting as Support. For any further Medical Care, athletes will be removed from Southern Lakes Ultra, at their own expense, and seek further Medical Care, from local hospital , or equivalent.

  • All athletes must be aware that Southern Lakes Ultra, is an outdoor event, run in parts in remote, high country, mountainous terrain, with often multiple river crossings. A full knowledge of Medical and Safety Equipment and how to use, including but not limited to, GPX Files, PLBs, Safety Bags / Bivy Bags and have an understanding of potential hazards in such terrain and conditions, including but not limited to, Blisters, Sprains, Strains, Broken Bones, Heat Stroke, Hypothermia etc.

RACE RESULTS

  • As soon as possible, after the final finisher for each stage has finished, we will notify of results, via the Facebook event page (Southern Lakes Ultra). Please note, that we will be spending some time in remote locations with limited / no internet service. In these cases, we will be posting results, as soon as we have internet service available. It is our intention to notify via Facebook of any athletes withdrawing, as and when, from the event. Our priority is on the Health and Safety of our athletes; however, we will be doing our best to communicate as fast and efficient as we can.

COVID 19 (PANDEMICS)

  •  If Southern Lakes Ultra is unable to commence, due to a government directive, or we believe we will be putting athletes, organizers, volunteers, supporters at undue risk, which we cannot control, then we reserve the right to cancel Southern Lakes Ultra for 2026 and roll the event to 2027, or cancel the event in full. (see details above).

  • Southern Lakes Ultra, will at all times, follow the NZ Government and Ministry of Health Guidelines.

  • Southern Lakes Ultra promoters have the right to change or even cancel the event due to circumstances beyond their control. (this could include a host of reasons, weather, natural disasters, flooding, wars, an act of God, land access, pandemic etc.). In such an event, Southern Lakes Ultra promoters will adhere to the following.

  • If Southern Lakes Ultra need to cancel prior to 11.59pm 31st December 2025 NZ Time, a refund minus admin fee and bank charges, will be offered to all athletes, or the option to roll (non- refundable) (if applicable) to the following years event. An email will be sent to all athletes outlining details.

  • If Southern Lakes Ultra need to cancel post 11.59pm 31st December 2025 NZ Time, all athletes will be rolled (non-refundable) to our Southern Lakes Ultra 2027 event, if such an event is held.

  • All athletes are to ensure they have their own insurance in place to cover any cancellations and additional costs.

NZ GOVERNMENT / MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND SOUTHERN LAKES ULTRA

  • Southern Lakes Ultra will at all times follow the NZ Government and NZ Ministry of Health Guidelines. Your entry into Southern Lakes Ultra, confirms you agree to follow all rules as set out and updates as and when required by both the NZ Government and the NZ Ministry of Health.

TRAVEL TO/ FROM SOUTHERN LAKES ULTRA

  • Your Southern Lakes Ultra entry fee does not cover travel to NZ / Queenstown. How you get to the race start and any requirements is outside of Southern Lakes Ultra’s terms and conditions. You are responsible for all travel requirements and should have appropriate insurance cover in place, should any situations, including by not limited to, disruptions, occur. 

  • We recommend insurance, and offer X-Cover insurance, as an option for all athletes to opt into, when completing their entry application forms.  

  • See further details under Insurance.

DIGITAL DEVICES

  • Athletes may use Ear Pods / iPods or the likes to listen to music. There will be sections of the course such use is prohibited, and athletes will be notified at the daily briefings.

  • Athletes must bring a Mobile phone, if applicable, an event App must be downloaded as an offline version, and a Battery Pack sufficient to keep the mobile charged for use.

  • Mobiles may be used for photography, music, videos, app.

  • GPX Files (if provided) must be downloaded onto a Smart Phone / Watch for use during the event.

DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES / LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

  • Southern Lakes Ultra will not be liable to you for

                    a) Any loss of or damage to your equipment or personal effects

                    b) Any indirect or consequential loss

                    c) Any damage or loss suffered or incurred by you in connection with participating in

                  Southern Lakes Ultra, including, but not limited to, travelling to Southern Lakes Ultra.

  • Except, as otherwise provided by any applicable laws Southern Lakes Ultra Events Limited, maximum liability to you for any claim in contract, tort, or in any other cause of action, arising out of or in connection with Southern Lakes Ultra Event, will not exceed the entry fee for the event. 

  • Southern Lakes Ultra, do not guarantee, represent or warrant that your use of our service will be uninterrupted, timely, secure or error free.

  • Southern Lakes Ultra do not warrant that the results that may be obtained from the use of the service will accurate or reliable.

  • You agree that from time to time we may remove the service for indefinite periods of time or cancel the service at any time without notice to you.

  • You expressly agree that your use of, or inability to use, the service is at your sole risk. The service and all products and services delivered to you through the service are (except as expressly stated by us) provided “as is” and “as available” for your use, without any representation, warranties or conditions of any kind, either express or implied, including all implied warranties or conditions of merchantability, merchantable quality, fitness for a particular purpose, durability, title, and non-infringement.

  • In no case shall Southern Lakes Ultra, our directors, officers, employees, affiliates, agents, contractors, interns, suppliers, service providers or licensors be liable for any injury, loss, claim, or any direct, indirect, incidental, punitive, special, or consequential damages of any kind, including, without limitation lost profits, lost revenue, lost savings, loss of data, replacement costs, or any similar damages, whether based in contract, tort (including negligence), strict liability or otherwise, arising from your use of any of the service or any products procured using the service, or for any other claim related in any way to your use of the service or any product, including, but not limited to, any errors or omissions in any content, or any loss or damage of any kind incurred as a result of the use of the service or any content (or product) posted, transmitted, or otherwise made available via the service, even if advised of their possibility. Because some countries or jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or the limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages, in such countries or jurisdictions, our liability shall be limited to the maximum extent permitted by law.

ALCOHOL, SMOKING, VAPING

  • Is prohibited while partaking in Southern Lakes ultra event, at any Southern Lakes Ultra Campsite, or in any transport provided by Southern Lakes Ultra.

MEDICAL AND SAFETY

  • All competitors and crew will complete a medical declaration. You confirm the information you provide about your medical history is accurate to the best of your knowledge. You acknowledge that the purpose of collecting this information is to ensure that all existing and/or past health conditions are declared prior to competition to allow risks to be assessed.  You agree to accept responsibility for any failure to disclose, or properly describe any existing or past health conditions. You undertake not to hold the race organizers and/or medical team liable for any claims and/or damages arising from, or relating to, my disclosure.

  • Southern Lakes Ultra, is a self-supported event. Irrespective of which category you are entered into (Supported / Unsupported), athletes must be responsible for their own Medical Supplies, Care and Safety during the event. You should train, race and prepare as if there is no medical support. This means you must carry ALL medical and safety, first aid supplies and equipment, with full knowledge of how to use. Southern Lakes Ultra, will have medical personal as crew, however they will be acting as Support. For any further Medical Care, athletes will be removed from Southern Lakes Ultra, at their own expense, and seek further Medical Care, from local hospital, or equivalent.

  • All athletes must be aware that Southern Lakes Ultra, is an outdoor event, run in parts in remote, high country, mountainous terrain, with often multiple river crossings. A full knowledge of Medical and Safety Equipment and how to use, including but not limited to, GPX Files, PLBs, Safety Bags / Bivy Bags and have an understanding of potential hazards in such terrain and conditions, including but not limited to, Blisters, Sprains, Strains, Broken Bones, Heat Stroke, Hypothermia etc.

INSURANCE - ENTRY REFUND PROTECTION POLICY

  • When you enter Southern Lakes Ultra, you are able to take out Entry Protection Insurance, with X Cover.  (opt in)

  • Southern Lakes Ultra have chosen to offer Entry Protection Insurance, through X Cover to offer full protection for our athletes. 

  • Southern Lakes Ultra are not able to provide any refunds for any situation, any refunds will be covered by X cover if you opt in for Insurance Cover.

  • Southern Lakes Ultra will not be offering a separate Refund Policy / Withdrawal Policy.

  • If athletes choose not to take out X Cover Entry Protection Insurance, you must be aware that there are no other options to receive a refund.

  • Competitors taking part in Southern Lakes Ultra, understand that there is a risk involved. Competitors take part at their own free will; Southern Lakes Ultra is not responsible for any incident or accident.

  • Southern Lakes Ultra has no control over, and accepts no responsibility for, the availability or standard of medical and / or repatriation services and facilities in the area in which the events take place and such services and facilities do not form any part of the contract between you and Southern Lakes Ultra.

  • You are solely responsible for your own equipment and belongings during the event and bear the sole responsibility for incidental or accidental damage (including wear and tear) to, or loss of, your own equipment and belongings.

  • You are solely responsible for your own medical care throughout Southern Lakes Ultra. Southern Lakes Ultra will provide Medical Support, however you must bring all medication and first aid equipment with you and have a sound and capable knowledge of how to use.

  • At all times Southern Lakes Ultra will endeavour to hold our full course, however as we are operating in remote locations, safety may involve us making last minute course changes, reducing or removing a stage or worst case, cancelling the event part way through. You will need to ensure you have adequate insurance cover for any eventuality.

  • Southern Lakes Ultra are not Insurance specialists and cannot provide specific insurance advice on any insurance cover.

  • Southern Lakes Ultra recommend all athletes take our personal insurance to cover any costs outside of your entry fee.