ABOUT The Event

Marsh Glenorchy Grind

The most scenic gravel adventure in NZ

Glenorchy Grind is a grassroots cycling event in Glenorchy, near Lake Wakatipu, 40 minutes from Queenstown. Founded in 2023, it celebrates connection to nature and community through gravel adventure riding. The event offers rides for all levels, from family-friendly routes to tough challenges in the Southern Alps. The inaugural race, organized in just two months, supported the Glenorchy Trails Trust and attracted 90 riders and volunteers.

The 2024 event advanced with a new start/finish line, improved logistics, and the Twin Rivers 86km course, maintaining its grassroots feel. Riders enjoyed a unique aid station at Paradise Trust, riding private land in iconic New Zealand scenery. Around 150 riders braved sun, wind, and Southern elements. For 2025, we expect more riders, enhanced logistics, safety upgrades, new sponsors, and a new website by Fluid. It promises to be our biggest, smoothest event yet! Are you ready to grind?

Cyclists in colorful gear taking a selfie during a race, with many other cyclists and a forested background.

MORE THAN JUST A RACE

At its heart, Glenorchy Grind is a not-for-profit fundraiser supporting the Glenorchy Trails Trust, a volunteer-led organisation dedicated to building a safer, more connected trail network in the region. Funds raised through the event help bring to life long-term visions like linking Glenorchy to Queenstown by trail, and creating safe access for walkers and bikers to the iconic Mt. Judah track without needing a car. Every rider entry supports these projects — making a lasting impact well beyond race day.

This is more than a race — it’s a celebration of community. Local volunteers help bring it to life, kids come out to cheer, and the finish line is packed with families, laughter, and muddy high fives. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or just in it for the ride, Glenorchy Grind welcomes anyone with a sense of adventure and a love for the outdoors.

Glenorchy Trails Trust

The Glenorchy Trails Trust exists to create safe, scenic walking and cycling trails that connect the communities at the head of Lake Wakatipu — and the people who live and visit here — with the incredible landscapes that surround us. Our vision is to separate walkers and riders from busy roads for safety, enjoyment, and the wellbeing of all, while also building world-class trails that showcase the beauty of Glenorchy, Kinloch, Paradise, and the Rees–Dart valleys. We aim to complete the missing link in the Te Araroa Trail between Queenstown and the Greenstone Valley via Glenorchy and Kinloch, and to develop purpose-built singletrack mountain bike trails for everyday use by our community. This is trail-building for connection — with nature, with one another, and with the land we call home.

Group of cyclists in a mountain landscape during daytime, riding along a paved road with snow-capped mountains in the background.

2024 Results

FAQ

  • Both events cover a bit of sealed road and the rest is all on gravel roads, with no single tracks. You don’t need a gravel bike. If you have a gravel bike, great! If not, any mountain bike will do just fine.  If you only have a road bike, you are in for a true adventure, we recommend you have previous experience riding your road bike on gravel roads.

  • E-bikes can be used for the Paradise Dash only and are not allowed on the 2 longer courses. You can choose which bike you are using during registration. Results will be split depending on bike type.

  • For more information on the Glenorchy Gravel Grind terms visit Withdrawal, cancellation and race rules.

  • Please contact us on info@glenorchytrailstrust.org.nz to cancel. For more information on the Glenorchy Grind terms & conditions, read the withdrawal, cancellation & race rules.

  • No deferrals to future events are possible. For more information on the Glenorchy Grind terms & conditions, read the withdrawal, cancellation & race rules.

  • Yes, you can transfer to someone else through the registration system. Log back in and choose Transfer. There will be a fee to pay. Transfers are permitted until 30th Sept 2025.
    For more information on the Glenorchy Grind terms & conditions, read the withdrawal, cancellation & race rules.

  • Yes, you can change to another event distance by logging back into the registration system. Changes can be made until 10th October 2025. No refunds are provided if you change to a shorter event.

  • Glenorchy is around 60 mins drive from central Queenstown with several single lane roads. Please leave plenty of time for your journey and take care on the windy roads. It’s recommended to stay in Glenorchy overnight so you don’t need to rush in the morning.
    The Event Hub is based at Glenorchy Golf Club which is easy to find on the main road into town; located on the corner of Mull St and Oban St.

  • The Event Hub has lots of free parking and there will be volunteers helping to direct traffic in the morning. The Event Hub is based at Glenorchy Golf Course on the corner of Mull St and Oban St.

  • Be prepared to be self-sufficient for the entire race. There will be aid stations with water, tailwind and some snacks if you really need it.
    There are toilets near or at each aid station and at the Event Hub.

  • Of course! We have a coffee cart at the Event Hub and a selection of food options for after the event - including our famous venison sandwiches!

  • The course is mostly gravel roads with a few sealed roads in there leading away from town. The Paradise Dash is achievable for everyone with some training through winter! For the longer courses, make sure you do some longer training rides closer to the date and have suitable fitness to safety complete the course. For the 160km distance you could be out there for quite a few hours.
    Lastly, it’s Spring so could be rain and cooler temperatures; it’s a good idea to do some training rides in similar weather to test out the gear you need to stay comfortable!

  • Yes, there will be a bag drop at the Event Hub where you can leave all your gear while you’re racing. Please leave any valuables in your locked car.

  • Yes, for the Twin Rivers Ride and Glenorchy Grind distances, we will deliver any bottles to the aid station at Paradise Trust. Please leave any drop bottles with the info desk before the race and clearly label your bottles.

  • We wont have live tracking available to track riders. However, we do have timing mats at all road ends (Greenstone, Chinaman’s Bluff, Rees Valley) and these times will update in our system as soon as they are brought back into reception as athletes move through the course.

Cyclists riding on a gravel path along a lake with snow-capped mountains in the background, surrounded by lush trees and greenery.

Sign up for race updates

Subscribe to GGG Newsletter