The Magnificent NZ 2026 (edition 3)
Dec 6 - 12, 2026
Our third event (Dec 6-12, 2026) is open for registration!
With an entry fee of only 5000NZD/3000USD this is maybe the best value expedition race on the planet. We know that NZ is on every international adventurer's bucket list, so join in the fun and come race with us!
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NZ/AUS teams email: ultramentalbook@gmail.com
USA and international email: bendracingor@gmail.com​​​
Schedule
Dec 4-5: Arrive in host city
Dec 6: Check-in Day, Prologue & Pre-Race Breifing
Dec 7-12: MAGNIficent Race
Dec 12 : 6pm: Course Closes
Dec 13: onward travel
Vision
With over 4 decades of racing experience between them (both as athletes and race directors), twin brothers Andy and Jason Magness are beyond excited to work together again. Based on their past expedition forays and mis-adventures across the spectrum of pack-rafting, mountaineering, climbing, bike-packing, and remote exploration they consider course creation as an artform.
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They are supported by a passionate team of experienced racers, volunteers, media professionals, medical staff, course testers and logistical personnel.
Location
The Magnificent will take place on the South Island of New Zealand each year, with the location and course changing for each new edition. The Dec 2026 race will take place in the Southland Region.
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Host city: Te Anau
Nearest Airports: Queenstown, Dunedin, or Invercargill
Course
Distance
500 km
That is
further across than
the entire country.
Yep - it is a big course to explore.
But there is no set route,
so brilliant navigation could shorten it,
bad navigation could add more.
So lets just say you'll do somewhere between 450 -550 km.
Ch. 3 Disciplines
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Mountain Bike - paved path, dirt roads, singletrack. Riding will include technical descents
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​Trekking - trail, roads, and lots of off-trail mountain terrain.
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​Pack rafting - some flat water, lots of moving water, and optional grade 3 technical whitewater
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​Navigation - Challenging map and compass navigation with plenty of route choices, as well as micro-navigation and the popular 3D map navigation.​
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​Other disciplines: packraft-trekking, hike-a-bike, rope work/rock climbing, caving.
Difficulty
The event is designed to challenge the best competitors in the sport of adventure racing, while being possible for teams with at least some of the following dialed in: racing experience, speed, teamwork, high motivation, navigational prowess, mountain skills, and desire.
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In truth - the perceived difficulty will depend on the skill level of each team. It is a highly challenging event - will this lead to Anxiety, Arousal, or Flow?
Unsupported
Format
The race is unsupported - meaning that competitors can receive no outside assistance from friends, family, or fans.
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Race staff will move team's resupply equipment to various transition areas along the course where they can access it, but other than this, the team must choose what to carry, when to sleep, and how to best move through the race. Even medical care like blisters (outside of emergency) must be dealt with by the team.
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This format adds a bit of complexity for the race organization, but make the event more fair and competitive for international teams.
Sanctioning
The MAGNIficent is proud to be part of the Adventure Racing World Series since 2025. ​​
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In addition to prize money, the winning team will receive a free entry to the 2027 Adventure Racing World Championships in Croatia. Congratulations to Sardine Racing for winning an entry into the 2025 World Championship in Canada, and Team RAB for winning the entry to France in 2026!
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Inclusion also will allow teams to receive a global ranking, prize purse, standardized rules and impartial and trained referee(s).