Shunters and Grunters Relay 2025

2025 Shunters and Grunters Relay Results

2025 results

Event Programme

Shunters and Grunters Booklet 2025 v2 Download

Poster

You are invited to take part in a social fun day for members and non-members.

WHAT

This is a 4-person relay along the Historic Otago Central Rail Trail.

Enter Here

Enter online here. Entry is free.

Entries close at 7:00 pm on Monday, 1 September.

WHERE

The start of the relay is from the old Hyde Railway Station to the Waipiata Railway Station (Tavern).

GETTING THERE

We will all meet outside the HCU Clubrooms on Logan Park Drive at 9:00 am. We will then carpool to the Hyde Railway Station together at 9:15 am; please bring your car, if you have one.

Regardless of whether you get there via Middlemarch or Palmerston, you will end up driving along State Highway 87 (Hyde-Middlemarch Rd). Turn left immediately after the Hyde Hall onto Newtown Rd. This is before the Hyde Township.

This link is to a Google Map with the journey to the Hyde Railway Station and through the course, with the stops mapped out. Please note, that these stops are where vehicles should go, not necessarily exactly where the start of the leg is from (see below).

WHEN

Saturday 13 April, Meet at 9:00 am at the HCU Clubrooms, Leaving Dunedin at 9:15 am, 11:15 am Start time. Returning to Dunedin at 2:00 pm (leaving Waipiata).

HOW

We will be looking to utilise members’ vehicles. Anyone wishing to volunteer to drive would be appreciated. Please let us know if you’re able to help when you complete the online entry form.

YOUR INVOLVEMENT

We need people to register interest as soon as possible by completing the form here: https://forms.gle/wdTi3pPap7Q9FjvA7

We will allocate teams so that all teams finish as close as possible to each other. Allocated teams shall be mixed between clubs and unregistered athletes.

If you wish to enter your own team/run it individually, or cycle it, then you will not be eligible for the title of champion Shunters and Grunters.

The aim of this event is to have fun and experience one of Otago’s most stunning running environments.

We will hold the prize giving at the infamous Waipiata Tavern, where people can have a drink and a snack.

Lap 1

Hyde Railway Station to Tiroiti, 8km, Flat with gentle rise to the finish.

Leg 1: https://www.strava.com/routes/2954943655011953574

Run 1.6km to Hyde township. Care must be taken crossing the road at 1.5km just past the Otago Central Hotel Hyde before the small bridge. A Marshal will be in attendance to signal runners when to cross. Continue over the small rail-bridge.
After covering 5.3km negotiate through a 151-metre-long slightly curved rail tunnel (lights are encouraged). The basalt based Hyde Tunnel is the only completely bricked tunnel on the Trail.

At 6km, cross a 91-meter-long viaduct/ bridge (32 meters above the Taieri River). Carry on until the Capburn Railway/ Tiroiti Bridge (at 7.8km); it is 40 metres in length and 7 metres in height.

The first change is reached shortly after running over the Capburn Railway/ Tiroiti bridge and arriving at the shed positioned just after the intersection of the main road with Horseburn Road.

Lap 2

Tiroiti to Daisybank, 5.0km, mainly flat, some slight undulations.

Leg 2: https://www.strava.com/routes/2954956901018830600

There are several single-width gates to run through.

Extreme care must be taken when crossing the road. A Marshal will be in attendance to signal participants when to cross.

Finish the lap by crossing the main highway and changing alongside the ‘Beware’ sign. The second change is shortly after the road crossing by the car park area along the Rail Trail.

Lap 3

Daisybank to Kokonga, 4.2km, flat with some uphill and downhill undulations.

Leg 3: https://www.strava.com/routes/2954941390789899962

At the 3.2km mark, you’ll spot the small Kokonga Railway Station (resembling an open shed) on the left.

Observe the pitted volcanic rocks blown from the extinct Flat Cap Volcano beside the trail. The second of these gates marks the completion of the lap.

Lap 4

Kokonga to Waipiata, 9.3km, Mainly flat with gradual 500m climb before downhill descent to finish.

Leg 4: https://www.strava.com/routes/2954941727131022088

Those with a passion for bridges will enjoy fast footing it across the 97-meter-long Waipiata bridge before tackling the only challenging uphill section of the entire relay.

The 97m long and 6m high Taieri River Rail Bridge is the only crossing of the Taieri River on the Rail Trail.

The relay ends at the rail head opposite the Waipiata Tavern.