The Dorne Cup is a flat cross country at Trentham Memorial Park that usually takes place on the second Saturday of June. It one of the biggest and most prestigious cross country races in New Zealand.

Hutt Valley Harriers organises the race.

Course description

A flat cross-country event around Trentham Memorial Park and the Hutt River stopbanks.  The course is suitable for spikes. 

This year’s course is the same as previous years. The 2km loop will run past Barton’s Bush and go across and around the soccer fields, before turning towards the cricket nets and then finish along the straight in beside the carpark and the pavilion.

The 4km loop goes through Barton’s Bush and weaves between the rugby fields, before travelling through a second bush track and emerging by the axeman’s grounds. Runners then cross the bridge over the stream and do a short dogleg before crossing through the stream by the cricket nets and then follow the straight back to the start line.

The course bush tracks are compacted gravel, while the remainder of the course is on grass.  There are a few road crossings.  Mosly these will have carpet laid across the seal.

3km course = 1 x 1km loop plus 1 x 2km loop
6km course = 1 x 2km loop plus 1 x 4km loop
8km course = 2 x 4km loop

1km loop for Dorne Cup

2km loop for Dorne Cup

4km loop for Dorne Cup

Age grades and uniforms

Age is at 31 December 2021, except for masters grades where age is at 12 June 2021.  You must wear your correct club uniform.

Closing time for entry and race bib pick-up:

You must be financial in ClubNet to receive a race bib. If you are financial by 5 June you will receive a personalised race bib on the day. If you are financial after 5 June and up to 11 June, you will receive a temporary race bib, which must be returned after the race.

Out-of-centre clubs to email entries to the Race Director and Daryl Bloomfield by  10 June 2021.

Location

The races are at Trentham Memorial Park, Trentham.  Enter from Barton Avenue, off Fergusson Drive.  Race headquarters are inside the park adjacent to the Pavilion, near the Trentham United Harrier clubrooms.

Runners competing out of grade

Any athletes who wish to compete in out of grade (e.g. WU20 competing as Open Women, W35+ competing as Open Women, M50+ competing as Open Men) must declare by email to the Race Director and Daryl Bloomfield by  11 June.

Safety

Marshals
Marshals are clearly identifiable with orange or yellow hi-viz vests around the course. If you are injured or observe an injury or problem of any kind please report to the nearest marshal. All competitors must obey the directions of marshals.

No earbuds or audio devices
Under IAAF Rule 144 (3)(b) competitors cannot have or use video recorders, radios, CDs, radio transmitters, mobile phones or similar devices (e.g. iPods/MP3 players).  Such equipment is considered as giving assistance to athletes and also creates a health and safety hazard, as athletes must be able to hear directions given to them during their race by marshals and other officials.

Race Events

EventRace Start TimeAge GradeDistance
11.00pmMasters Women (35+)**6km
Masters Women (50+)**
Open Women (SW)
Masters Men (60+)**
Masters Women (60+)**
Masters Men (70+)**
Masters Women (70+)**
21.20pmMen Under 20 (MU20)*4km
Women Under 20 (WU20)*
Men Under 18 (MU18)*
Women Under 18 (WU18)*
31.45pmBoys Under 12 (BU12)*2km
Girls Under 12 (GU12)*
42.00pmBoys Under 14 (BU14)*2km
Girls Under 14 (GU14)*
52.15pmBoys Under 16 (BU16)*3km
Girls Under 16 (GU16)*
62.30pm1km
Boys Under 10 (BU10)*
Girls Under 10 (GU10)*
72.45pmOpen Men (SM)8km
Masters Men (35+)**
Masters Men (50+)**

* For events marked with * your grade is based on your age at 31 Dec 2021

** For events marked with ** your grade is based on your age at 12 June 2021.

Awards

The first three individual place-getters in each grade who are registered with Athletics New Zealand will receive a medal.

Teams

In the senior men’s open event the first 6 runners home for each club constitute the team, and in all other grades the first 4 count.  Each member of the winning team in each running event will receive a certificate.

Unregistered athletes

This event is open to registered athletes and schools specifically invited to compete in the Dorne Cup.

Athletes who are not registered in the SportsTG database by the end of Friday 11 June, or who run with an incorrect bib, will not be timed and will not be eligible for medals or team placings, and will be disqualified.

It’s also important to note that if you have not registered with Athletics NZ and are not financial with your club then you won’t be able to compete. You must pay your club fees and be marked off by your club in the SportsTG database.