Kepler Challenge 2026: Compulsory Gear, Cutoffs and What to Carry
Quick answer: The Kepler Challenge is on Saturday, December 5, 2026, on the Kepler Track in Fiordland National Park, near Te Anau, New Zealand. It is 60 km with about 2,200 m of climbing and a high point of 1,400 m, starting and finishing at the Control Gates at 6:00 AM. There are eleven checkpoints, three checkpoint cutoffs and a 12-hour limit. The race has a long compulsory gear list that is checked at registration, before the start and at Luxmore Hut, with spot checks at the finish. It is a disposable cup-free event, so bring a reusable cup. The 2026 race is sold out and entries cannot be transferred.
Kepler Challenge 2026 at a glance
| Date and start | Saturday, December 5, 2026, 6:00 AM at the Control Gates (arrive from 5:15 AM) |
|---|---|
| Course | 60 km on the Kepler Track, Fiordland National Park, starting and finishing at the Control Gates |
| Climb | About 2,200 m of gain, high point 1,400 m |
| Time limit | 12 hours |
| Checkpoints | 11, including the finish |
| Cups | Disposable cup-free: carry a reusable cup |
| Entry | Sold out for 2026; entries are not transferable |
| Age minimum | 18 on race day (16 for the Luxmore Grunt) |
| Shorter option | Luxmore Grunt, 27 km, 7:00 AM start |
Source: Kepler Challenge official website, read November 4, 2026.
The course
The Kepler Track is one of New Zealand's Great Walks, and the race says it is clearly marked, well graded and easy to follow. The race splits the 60 km into six stages:
| Stage | Distance | Climb | Difficulty (race rating, 1 to 5) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5.6 km | 15 m | 1 |
| 2 | 8.2 km | 1,000 m | 3 |
| 3 | 14.6 km | 400 m to 800 m | 5 |
| 4 | 16.2 km | 200 m | 2 |
| 5 | 6.06 km | 50 m | 1 |
| 6 | 9.5 km | 20 m | 1 |
The biggest climb is stage 2, which gains 1,000 m in 8.2 km. Stage 3 is the stage the race rates hardest, at 5 out of 5. The course passes Brod Bay, Luxmore Hut, the Forest Burn and Hanging Valley shelters, Iris Burn Hut, Rocky Point, Moturau Hut and Rainbow Reach. The race warns that after rain or in snow the track can become slippery, with tree roots and steep, rocky sections, and that runners often fall.
Compulsory gear
Every item must be worn or carried at all times:
- Two thermal long-sleeved tops
- One set of thermal long johns
- One thermal hat
- One pair of gloves
- One seam-sealed windproof and waterproof jacket
- One pair of seam-sealed windproof and waterproof overtrousers
- Survival blanket
- Official race number and transponder (given at registration)
Skins are not accepted as a substitute for thermal tops or long johns. Gear is checked at registration, again before the start, at Luxmore Hut, and with spot checks at the finish. Missing gear at Luxmore Hut or at the finish means disqualification. Forgotten items can be bought in the registration hall.
What to carry
The checkpoints serve water, electrolyte drink, bananas, oranges, lollies and crisps, with bars at Brod Bay, Luxmore Hut, Iris Burn, Moturau Hut and Rainbow Reach. With eleven checkpoints, water is rarely the problem. The compulsory clothing is. Two thermal tops, long johns, a waterproof jacket and overtrousers have to stay with you for the full 60 km, and the race asks you to pack them so they are easy to find at the Luxmore Hut check.
Pack the whole list at home before you choose a vest, with the jacket where you can reach it without stopping. A 5L vest such as the LECAMO ROOT5 comes with two 500ml soft flasks and suits light loads. For this gear list, the ROOT8 is an 8L vest with room for extra layers and required gear, and it ships with two soft flasks. The ROOT18 gives you 18L if your layers are bulky. Compare them on the pack chooser.
Ordering a vest for Kepler? Orders to New Zealand ship in 1 to 2 business days, and delivery takes an estimated 6 to 10 business days after shipment. Import duties for New Zealand orders are not included in the price and may be charged on delivery. Order by Friday, November 13, and that timeline has it with you by Wednesday, December 2, three days before the start. Run in it with your full compulsory kit at least once before race day.
Cutoffs
| Checkpoint | Distance | Cutoff (elapsed) | Clock time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky Point | 36.6 km | 8:00 | 2:00 PM |
| Moturau Hut | 44.6 km | 9:15 | 3:15 PM |
| Rainbow Reach Bridge | 50 km | 10:00 | 4:00 PM |
| Finish, Control Gates | 60 km | 12:00 | 6:00 PM |
Runners who miss a cutoff are withdrawn. The clock times are our arithmetic from the 6:00 AM start. The race says finish times range from about five hours to over ten hours.
Weather and daylight
The race updates the track conditions and race-day forecast at the Friday briefing. In extreme weather it can switch to an alternative run of a similar distance, and entry fees are not refunded in that case. By our calculation, sunrise in Te Anau on December 5 is about 5:56 AM and sunset is about 9:23 PM, so the 6:00 AM start and the 6:00 PM finish cutoff are both in daylight.
Registration, briefing and transport
- Registration: Friday, December 4, 12:00 to 6:00 PM at the Real NZ Events Centre in Te Anau. Bring your compulsory gear: race numbers and packs are only issued after it is checked.
- Briefing: Attendance at the Friday evening briefing is mandatory. You can watch it by video, but you must show proof before you register.
- Race morning: A free shuttle leaves Te Anau for the Control Gates at 5:15 AM (Paper Plus, town centre), 5:20 AM (Distinction Te Anau Hotel and Villas) and 5:25 AM (Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park). You can also drive, and officials help with parking.
- Finish: Back at the Control Gates, with an on-demand shuttle to Te Anau.
- Prize giving: Sunday, December 6, 10:00 AM at the Real NZ Events Centre. Bring your race number for spot prizes.
Rules
- Pacers are not allowed.
- Carry out all your rubbish.
- Leaving the marked track may mean disqualification.
- If you withdraw on course, tell the nearest checkpoint. You may have to pay transport costs.
- No refunds for withdrawals within 14 days of race day.
Records
The course records are 4:33:37 for men (Martin Dent, 2013) and 5:23:34 for women (Zelah Morrall, 2003). The organisers have run the event for over 30 years.
FAQ
When is the Kepler Challenge 2026?
Saturday, December 5, 2026, starting at 6:00 AM from the Control Gates near Te Anau.
What are the cutoffs?
Rocky Point (36.6 km) in 8 hours, Moturau Hut (44.6 km) in 9 hours 15 minutes, Rainbow Reach Bridge (50 km) in 10 hours, and the finish in 12 hours.
What is the compulsory gear?
Two thermal long-sleeved tops, thermal long johns, a thermal hat, gloves, a seam-sealed waterproof jacket and overtrousers, a survival blanket, your race number and transponder.
Do I need a cup?
Yes. It is a disposable cup-free event, so carry a reusable cup.
Can I transfer my entry?
No. Kepler Challenge entries are not transferable.
LECAMO is not affiliated with the Kepler Challenge. Sunrise and sunset times and the clock times of the cutoffs are our own calculation. Source: Kepler Challenge official website (course, compulsory gear, conditions of entry, event weekend and FAQ pages). Read November 4, 2026.