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 2026.
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 2026. 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 won’t 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.