Edition 1 explored the heartland of Central Otago.  Edition 2 heads further South, journeying from the heart of Southland through the stunning and rugged Catlins Region. You’ll be travelling through a land of crazy cliffs, beautiful beaches, ancient native forests, and along a coastline that's been sculpted by the legit power of the Southern Ocean. There will be waterfalls abound, unique wildlife is everywhere, and you’ll be treated to a plethora of jaw-dropping views. This is New Zealand after all–what else would you expect?

The immersion in these places will be significant. You will have choices to make. The journey will not be without risks. And while the Catlins may be the heart of the 2026 course, we want to remind you that the MAGNIficent is big–really big–too big–for any one region to contain.  

The core principles that drove the creation of The Magnificent Race will remain. MAGNIficent 2 will be another true test of endurance, navigation, and teamwork in NZ’s iconic landscapes, provided in an unsupported format with a continuing commitment to minimizing our impact on the environment as much as possible. 

Navigation as the central focus:

Map and compass reading were crucial. Mistakes meant wasting hours in dense jungles and challenging terrain.

Wild and technical terrain:

This included bush navigation through virgin forests, crossing hidden waterfalls, and taking unconventional routes far from tourist trails.

Extreme coasteering:

Coastal traverses combining climbing, swimming, and timed movements in sync with tides and waves.

Demanding packraft sections:

Rivers and open water replaced lakes, with unpredictable conditions and technically demanding sections.

Constant strategic decisions:

Route selection, time management, tides, weather, and team energy levels.