The Possum Goes Wild!
New Zealand’s most loved night-time trail run and walk is off to Kinloch, Taupo for 2023 and we think you are going to love the change. Cyclone Gabriel caused major damage to both the old event village – Wairakei Resort Taupo and to the old Possum trails in the Craters Mountain Bike Park. After hunting far, but not too wide, we came up with Kinloch as a fantastic event venue.
The Kinloch Domain will be transformed into a bright and noisy event village for easy parking, registration, expo, and delicious hot food available from food trucks. DJ Alexi will be on the decks with his funky take on some old classics and of course what is hot right now. Then look to the sky because our audio visual company AVP will be lighting up the night and the surrounding trees in the Kinloch Domain.
And the trails we have chosen are well, simply magnificent.
The 21km runners and walkers are first to depart at 5pm from Kawakawa Bay Road (after a short bus ride) then onto the winding single track of the Orakau trail which gently descends to Kawakawa Bay. Grab some fluids and food from the night time aid station, then take a deep breath you hardy folk, because you will need some oxygen to climb out of Kawakawa Bay to the top of the ridge before descending into Kinloch. With a stroke of luck the stars will be out reflecting off the lake views.
12km runners and walkers, you also take a short bus ride to the start of the Otaketake trail. The good news here is that you are on a gentle descent for much of your mission back to Kinloch to finish down the finish chute of fame.
5km runners and walkers are in for a real treat on the Whangamata Stream track. This nearly flat course winds its way up one side of the stream up to the redwoods section at half way. A pumping aid station will have drink and lollies for maximum sugar to power everyone back down the other side of the creek to the finish.
So yes its different, yes it is wild, but we know you are going to enjoy every bit of the 2023 Ledlenser Possum. Entries are limited to 1500 and are selling fast so if you want to be part of New Zealand’s favourite night run, enter now!