Middle-earth Halfling Marathon™ FAQs

The Eleventy-first 11.1km course is $199 to enter, and the Halfling Marathon 21.1km course is $249. 

Registrations will be open online until 1pm Saturday 22 March or capacity numbers are reached.

If registering in person on event day, this will need to be completed online using a debit or credit card and will be subject to availability. Cash transactions will not be available. 

Yes. When you enter the event, you can choose to either enter the Run or Walk category for each distance. The start times for the Walking category will be staggered slightly, please take note of your chosen categories start time upon registration and in the lead up to the event. Participants in the Walking categories are required to walk the full distance, and cannot run a portion of the course. 

The Middle-earth Halfling Marathon has two race distances and all participants will be running together without any divisions for age or gender.

Registrations are open to ages 16+ for both race distances.

Registration includes:

• Middle-earth Halfling Marathon Finishers medal 
• Entry to Hobbiton Movie Set as part of the course
• Middle-earth Halfling Marathon branded Event Stein with a finish line drink
• Middle-earth Halfling Marathon branded Event reusable water cup
• An exclusive Hobbit Southfarthing drink at The Green Dragon Inn during the race
• Aid stations along the course with water toilets and first aid
• Race Photography
• Exclusive rates for selected Hobbiton Movie Set Tour experiences over the weekend of the event
• The opportunity to win spot Prizes
• Access to the Halfling Event Village, where prizegiving will be held and food and drinks are available to be purchased 

If you are unable to make it for the event, you have the option of Transferring your Registration to someone else up until 28 February 2025. Click here for more information.

Yes you can change your category and transfer your registration up until 28 February 2025 by logging into to your account on the Event Plus system. See our terms and conditions for this event for more information. 

We are not offering corporate or teams discounts at this time.

We will be offering free return transport options from Matamata isite and across the road from the Cambridge isite and town hall, there will be ample parking available at each location.

Parking at The Shire’s Rest is limited and only available for participants who select this option at time of registration. An official parking pass will be issued to participants who select this option before the event and must be presented on arrival on the event day.

You will be able to check in/register for the event at The Hub, located across the carpark from The Shire's Rest, 501 Buckland Road Matamata, from 3pm-7pm on Friday 21 March 2025, or on race day from 9am until 1 hour before race start on Saturday 22 March 2025.

You will be able to check in/register for the event at The Hub, located across the carpark from The Shire's Rest, 501 Buckland Road Matamata, from 3pm-7pm on Friday 21 March 2025, or on race day from 9am until 1 hour before race start on Saturday 22 March 2025.

If you have checked in on Friday then you do not need to re-check in on Saturday morning. Arrive at least 45 minutes before your race start time, to allow time for parking, a quick warm up & the race briefing.

If you want to check which parking/transport option you requested as part of your registration, you can check this by logging into your Event Plus account. If you're unsure or would like to change your parking/transport option, you can contact our team at [email protected].

If you are unable to make it for the event, you have the option of Transferring your Registration to someone else up until 28 February 2025. Click here for more information.

Included in your registration for the Middle-earth Halfling Marathon is entry into the race distance of your choosing, a specially designed finishers medal, an exclusive branded souvenir Stein and a collapsible reusable water cup for use at the water stations across the course. Please note: there will not be any single use cups or plastic at the water or aid stations to reduce our waste for the event.

Yes you can change your category and transfer your registration up until 28 February 2025 by logging into to your account on the Event Plus system. See our terms and conditions for this event for more information. 

Yes, we have a free, dry and secure bag check available. Keep an eye out for bag check signs at the start and finish line.

Bags need to be tagged with your bib number and name, tags are available at check in and at the start line. Bags should be dropped at the start line at Buckland Landing, located across the road from the Halfling Event Village. While you are on the course, bags will be moved by event staff to the finish line to be collected after you have completed your event. 

The Middle-earth Halfling Marathon is an off-road trail running adventure. The terrain for both the 11.1km and the 21.1km course varies from grassy fields and dirt farm tracks, to compacted dirt/clay tracks with some scattered cobblestone areas on the Movie Set. Many areas of the course cover uneven ground and some narrow tracks, including some low-level steps on a steady incline on the Movie Set. The course offers some spectacular viewpoints well earned by some steep inclines. All runners and walkers must follow the same path for their chosen distance. 

Due to this event being an off-road trail run, the terrain of the courses are not suitable for wheelchairs. All entrants must follow the same path for their chosen distance.

Due to the terrain of the courses the Middle-earth Halfling Marathon and Eleventy-first courses are not suitable to be completed with prams or baby carriers.This is to ensure the safety of all participants. 

Dogs are not permitted on the event course or at the Event Village unless they are service dogs.

Certified service dogs are welcome in the Event Village under the following conditions:

• The dog must be on a leash at all times and wear an identification tag with the owner's name, address and telephone number
• If asked, you must be able to provide proof that the dog is a certified service dog from an organisation recognised by the NZ Dog Control Act

*Please note that we can not ensure that this message gets to everybody who may come to spectate or enjoy the Event Village. We kindly ask that you please let any spectators or supporters who may be joining you on event day know this. 

It is advised that you wear comfortable shoes on the course. Be sure to prepare for the elements event day may bring by wearing sun protection and bringing along some wet weather gear. 

We look forward to seeing the amazing costumes we know many participants will choose to wear on event day. We would like to kindly remind you that due to safety we only allow soft props on the premises, no weapons or accessories that have the potential to harm are permitted. 

Of course, we would love for you to bring your fellowship along to support. Supporters and spectators will be able to access the Halfling Event Village at The Shire’s Rest throughout the race duration and will be able to access the start and finish lines at set times. Only race participants will be able to access the Movie Set and surrounding farmland during the race. 

No, sorry. 

The Halfling Event Village will have a variety of food trucks and food and beverage options as well as our onsite café The Shires Rest.

Our good friends at Good George will be onsite with a range of alcoholic & non-alcoholic (water, electrolyte and soft drinks) beverages available for purchase at the event.

Not during the event. Only event participants will enter the Movie Set as a part of their event course. Spectators will be able to access the Halfling Village at The Shire's Rest, and the start and finish line zones at Buckland Landing. 

We will be offering a range of special exclusive tour experiences for spectators and participants on the Sunday to enjoy a visit to the Movie Set on the Sunday, or the opportunity to join one of our regularly scheduled tours at a special rate. You will be sent information on how to access these exclusive deals within your event confirmation. 

Cash is king though some of our food suppliers will have eftpos options available.

Prizegiving will take place at the Halfling Event Village at 5.45pm on race day, 22 March 2025.