The Goldush

The Gold Rush first drove many brave, hardy, fortune seeking souls to Central Otago back in the late 1800’s. Then in the late 1900’s a Gold Rush of a different but equally arduous kind saw a return of brave souls back to the region in search of glory that lay in conquering a three-day multisport challenge. Like the forbearer, riches were short lived and whilst relics present reminders of the early mining years, only legends tell the tale of the good old days when men and women used to race down the rivers of liquid gold and over the arid Grahame Sydney landscapes by bike and on foot chasing their dreams.

Rewarding those with grit and perseverance, both Gold Rush events were big news in their day, forging history and engraving themselves in time as significant events in the region’s past.

Today, Central Otago looks set to welcome a new golden era, with gold exploration and mining back on the doorstep and the iconic multisport event “The Goldrush” now back on the event calendar.

Following their forebearers (Nev & Rich, and Tim) and keeping things in theme with the challenge those chasing gold before theme endured, event organizers Gellatly and Chambers from Dare 2 Sweat Events (the company behind the biggest participation Adventure Race in the World – Spirited Women), have grafted a truly honest two days of multisport racing, encompassing roughly 150km of running, mountain biking and kayaking around some of Central Otago’s finest gold-bearing country, with some 4000m of altitude gain & loss. Plenty of blood, sweat and tears have been shed in these river and hills over the last 150 years, so the tradition is set to continue once again.

Staged from the quaint historic gold mining township of Clyde, The Goldrush course will take entrants on a tough but grand tour of all the gold mining sites of yesteryear, and significant changes that have shaped the Central Otago landscape since. Historic gold mining ruins and relics, sluicing’s and tailings litter a mighty scenic course with grand views that will be etched forever the minds of all who take on the challenge.

There is still gold (in both mineral and an achievement sense) in Central Otago hills and rivers for those brave enough to go searching for it and like before riches are to be gained by those who preserve. If you have a fever for striking gold then The Goldrush Multisport event in Central Otago is calling you to accept the challenge.

A new era of gold fever has arrived and now’s your chance to experience it first-hand. Do not procrastinate as sites are limited. Stake your claim and secure your entry from 7am on Friday 20th September, and be a part of new gold boom with The Goldrush multisport event on Otago Anniversary Weekend (March 2025).