MAGNIficent 3 Chat #1, written March 2026
- Bend Racing
- Apr 1
- 9 min read
The Magnificent Race Chapter 3 - Dec 2026 Race - Chat 1
Welcome everyone, or welcome back if you joined us earlier this year for Chapter 2, or last year for chapter 1. Wait...we're already talking chapter 3?!? Amazing how that time ticks by when you are doing big things.
We're pretty jazzed to kick off the journey to the third edition of the Magnificent Adventure Race with our first official newsletter. Edition 2 was less than three days old, and we were hard at work on the important parts of the next race - namely: what kind of hike-a-bike can we get up to this time? Seriously? Well maybe. But I digress.
The course will surely change a bit between now and then, but we figured we could talk a bit about what is coming (and what's not).
As you’d expect, the third MAGNIficent (and second this year!) is going to be a whole new race course filled with fresh challenges, but it will still have that same magnificent spirit of endurance, teamwork, and raw exploration you know and love. Here we go!
A New Location: The Backyard
Edition 1 explored the heartland of Central Otago. Edition 2 headed further South, journeying from the heart of Southland through the stunning and rugged Catlins region before ascending to the rugged Blue Mountains. "Pulling off two expedition races in the 9 months is impossible", they said. And we might have agreed. But Bend Racing set the bar with Expedition Oregon in 2025/26, hosting events in September 2025 and March 2026. Their secret - they made that second event take place in the area that the race director knows the best - Jason's backyard of Central Oregon.
So MAGNIficent 3 will follow suit and will stay a bit closer to our "energetic" home of Southland - Te Anau - after all both FEAR Society and its predecessor Koha Racing grew up almost exclusively here.
You will be traversing through big mountain ranges with lots of route choice, see classic tourist spots, and visit areas few locals have yet to discover. As in many past FEAR events, packrafting and trekking will take center stage here, but you'll also enjoy some amazing biking with a bit of single track, big ascents and descents, and yes (maybe) a bit of easy hike-a-bike (what can possibly be harder than last edition?!?). In the middle of this you'll also get a few "breaks" to tackle a bit of vertical climbing and we'll have a few other surprises to throw at you to keep you on your toes.
The immersion in these places will be significant. You will have choices to make. The journey will not be without risks. The core principles that drove the creation of The Magnificent Race will remain. MAGNIficent 3 will be another true test of endurance, navigation, and teamwork in NZ’s iconic landscapes, provided in an unsupported format with a continuing commitment to minimizing our impact on the environment as much as possible.
What to Expect
The "Backyard" course will be packed with natural features and disciplines that will showcase the areas you are traveling through. Here's a sneak peak at what’s in store:
Mountain Navigation: This is what NZ is known for. Travelling across the tops (assuming you can get to them) is a rare thrill where route choices abound and the magnificent scenery is constant. Big elevation gains and losses are part of the game, and knowing where you are is key, because when the sun goes down (or the mist comes in) things can get harder in an instant.
Packrafting: With big mountain ranges come huge catchments and complex river networks. You'll feel like a true explorer on a big journey for much of this course, and with options that allow paddling up to grade 3, it is a pack rafter's dream.
Climbing and?! - we love technical ropes and exploring challenging terrain and hidden grottos, and we plan to add some of this in this year. Scared of heights? Scared of the dark? Don't worry, as with most things in the MAGNIFicent, these are optional, but so rewarding if you meet the challenge.
Orienteering - as always, we appreciate a good navigator, and we'll make sure there are some purpose built stages for good navigators to really shine. As we age ourselves, there is nothing more exciting than besting someone younger and faster by just navigating smarter. Game on.
One BIG stage. Maybe the biggest single stage in Mag's short but storied history. Harkening back to the beginnings of FEARSociety - there will be a big purposeful point to point pack raft/trek with miles and miles of river and many many choices. Welcome to a real "expedition" within a race.
Things that will be missing in MAG2:
We build courses to the terrain, and although our backyard is awesome, we have not been able to find a really good reason to include several of the “disciplines” or experiences that were racer favorites in the second edition in this third one. It is with a heavy heart that we announce the following will feature less prominently (or not at all) in MAG 3:
Coastal Packraft: While you’ll still be paddling into plenty of waves, they won't be Southern Ocean swells and you will never be more than 20m or so from dry land.
The Hardest Navigation Treks in the World: We know - it was so fun to watch Chris Forne make a mistake (or maybe two) - but damn that nav in the Catlins and the back side of the Blue Mountains was diabolical. So we've toned it down from about a 19-out-of-10, to a more reasonable 12 or 13-out-of-10. Still plenty of opportunities to get lost or be a compass superhero.
Hellish Hike-a-Bike: The hike-a-bike(s) in chapter 3 will be ('yawn') a bit less memorable. Well actually, maybe not - they are beautiful and (dare I say fun) unique and SO much easier than last year. No disassembly required (sorry).
Coasteering and Penguins: It is unlikely that you will see any penguins on the course, and also unlikely that a rogue wave will sweep you off your rocky perch. If either of those things happen - you might want to have a few strong words with your lead navigator.
Pain and suffering: Last year (MAG 2) we cracked the code and learned how to design a course that is both challenging and incredibly pleasant to complete. I know, I know, we didn't quite get it right, but to be fair Stu from RAB did say it was one of the most enjoyable races he'd had. We'll give the dial another nudge this year. Fingers crossed.
Bad Weather: Similar to last year, we’ve further dialed our ability to manipulate large scale weather systems and will be applying this knowledge via cloud seeding and microclimate energy subvention techniques to ensure sunshine, rainbows, full moons, and starry skies for the duration of the event. Obviously, part of the bargain, it turns out, is shocking weather for the first 36 hours. We can't wait.
Host City: Te Anau
We are pleased to announce that the Race HQ for The Magnificent 3 is going to be in Te Anau! Perched on the edge of Fiordland and surrounded by some of the most spectacular wilderness in New Zealand, Te Anau is a place that feels built for expedition racing. With towering peaks, vast lakes, deep forest, and wild country in every direction, it’s the perfect launch point for another unforgettable journey into the unknown. Located in the heart of Southland, Te Anau is about two hours from Invercargill or Queenstown.
While smaller than last year's HQ of Gore, Te Anau has everything needed to support a world-class expedition race. With a population of around 3,000, this little town punches well above its weight, offering grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, outdoor gear, and plenty of accommodation options — all wrapped in the kind of atmosphere that reminds you you’re standing on the doorstep of real adventure. In other words, it’s exactly the kind of place The Magnificent belongs.
Accommodation options:
Te Anau has a wide range of accommodation options to suit teams of all budgets, from motels and hotels to holiday parks, hostels, and camping. As the gateway to Fiordland, it’s well set up for visitors and adventure travelers, with plenty of options for teams and family/friends alike. There are also lots of Airbnb and holiday home rental options, which may be especially appealing for larger teams or crews looking to stay together.
Because Te Anau is a busy tourist town, we strongly recommend booking your accommodation as soon as your plans to race are confirmed. This is especially important as the weekend before The Magnificent 3 is the Kepler Challenge, one of New Zealand’s most iconic trail running events, which brings extra demand to town.
There are also camping and holiday park options for teams looking to keep things simple and budget-friendly. As always, we recommend doing your own research on Tripadvisor or a similar site before booking.
When to book / when to arrive:
Pre-race festivities and the prologue will commence on Sunday, December 6th, 2026, so at a minimum we recommend teams arrive and stay overnight on Saturday, December 5th. While some local teams may be able to get away with arriving Sunday, there’s a lot that goes into prepping for a 5–6 day unsupported expedition race, so don’t cut it too fine.
The race will start on Monday, December 7th and the course will close on Saturday, December 12th, with awards to follow. Teams should plan onward travel from Sunday, December 13th.
More details on exact registration times, prologue logistics, and race schedule will be included in subsequent chats.
KEEN? (we've got only 30 spots!)
I know we're keen. You'll be even more jazzed once you secure one of our team spots, so jump in below, as once we are full...well no worries really - there is another magnficent expedition race in NZ after all towards the end of the summer...just not THE MAGNIficent.
Nothing to pay yet, although we'll hit you up for that $500NZD deposit soon.
But take note - even if you have saved bank deets, don't shoot us any cash just yet. Fear Society is transitioning into a Charitable trust within the week! So no worries, we'll reach out to you once that trust is sorted and get you squared away.
Leave No Trace: Protecting Our Awesome Canvas!
The Magnificent Race gets to run through some of NZ's most precious and untouched places. And with that privilege comes a HUGE responsibility. Our whole environmental ethos is built on the core principles of Leave No Trace (LNT), and we hold ourselves (and you!) accountable to adhere to this. This means:
Respect for Native Flora and Fauna: Don't mess with the wildlife, and NEVER take anything from nature.
Minimize Impact: We’ll be doing the heavy lifting here - designing a course that allows us to explore this magnificent area, while keeping the transition areas in more developed and less sensitive terrain.
Proper Waste Management: "Pack it in, pack it out." All your trash, even food scraps, need to come with you until you can ditch it properly.
Adherence to Local Guidelines: If we give you specific conservation rules for any sensitive areas, you will need to follow them. No exceptions.
Unsupported: The race will be unsupported as usual, allowing us to mitigate the impact that we do create as much as possible.
Southland is our canvas, and it's up to all of us to make sure it stays as wild and pristine as possible. So please, check out the full Leave No Trace principles if you don’t know them and promise to be magnificent environmental stewards throughout the race. Deal?
Adventure Racing World Series
The MAGNIFICENT is one of the World Qualifier Races for the Adventure Racing World Series, with the winning team securing a free entry into the 2027 World Championships in Croatia. Teams will also accrue points toward the ARWS rankings. As such - if you’ve got the time, familiarize yourself with the ARWS rules of competition and standard Mandatory gear list (which may have a few additions and omissions specifically for the MAGNIficent event).
Dates & What's Next!
Our next newsletter, "Chat 2," is slated for mid-winter and will offer more specific information including a more detailed look at the mandatory gear list, some initial training tips, a few more sneak peaks at the course, as well as updated logistical info. Stay tuned.
Money Talks
When we send you information about how to pay your deposit, we'll include a payment schedule for the remainder of your team's balance.
Free agents
Know someone keen to race that doesn’t have a team? Pass along this link for them to give us some details.
Lose a team member somewhere along the way? Get in touch and we’ll give you any options we have based on our list of free agents!
In Closing
The countdown to The Magnificent 3 has officially started! We can't wait to see all of you in Te Anue and begin our journey into our amazing "Backyard". Link up with your teammates, share your training journeys, and stay tuned to our social media for all the latest updates, inspiration, and magnificent giveaways. If you haven’t followed on FB or IG, here are the links to join!. FB or IG
Happy Training,
The Magnificent Race Team
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