Saturday the 21st August 2010
Snow Farm Merino Muster
7km 'Straggle Muster' 21km 'Snow Rake', and 42 km 'Muster'
Cross Country Ski race
Join the race fever and enter the
Snow Farm Merino Muster
Cross Country Ski Citizens Race that every can take part. Everyone that finishes receives a medal.
Cross Country Skiing’s equivalent of a city fun run. There are three distances that cater for the beginner to the expert. The mass start race has something for everyone with skiers from the novice to international elite athletes in attendance.
For the beginner there is the 7 km race around Merino Glen which most people do on their first day. The 21 km race around Merino Glen and then out round river run and back the Loop. For the experienced cross country skier there is the 42 km Marathon. Participation is the focus and everyone receives a medal or annual pin on completion of the race.
The Merino Muster is celebrated annually to keep alive the history of the area.
It celebrates a great High Country tradition of mustering the sheep from the high mountain tops to lower levels in autumn, an event that features in much of our South Island literature and song and formed a right of passage for many of the rural communities young people.
The location of the race was once itself a sheep station in Central Otago, the district in which Wanaka is situated, is the heart of merino sheep country.
New in 2008 was the Mini Merino Race for the 4-8 year olds. Participation is the key with goodies given to all those that give it a go.
Race starts 11 am be there at 9 am to get skis and boots.
Mini Merino Ski Race time to be confirmed
Send to: Merino Muster Ski Race, P O Box 492, Wanaka 9305 New Zealand
Race fees
Straggle Muster 7km - Adult $40 Child $20 Plus trail passes $10 A Child $5 N/A to Seasons Pass Holders
Snow Rake 21 km - Adult $50 Child $30 Plus trail passes $15 A Child $5 N/A to Seasons Pass Holders
Merino Muster 42 km - Adult $60 Child $35 Plus trail passes $20 A Child $5 N/A to Seasons Pass Holders
Additional $10 on Race day.
Muster - an organised gathering of sheep in the high country and especially the autumn; bringing the sheep to the valley floors away from the snowy mountain tops.
Straggle Muster - clever sheep try to avoid coming to the valley for summer and the musterers go out several times after the main muster to check the country is clear.
Snow Rake - if a snow fall occurs early the sheep become trapped on the Mountains. The farmers stamp paths in the snow to allow the sheep to walk to the lower country.
