Event

Typically held

Age range

Run by

Location

Description

Wellington Mountain Running Champs

March / April

16 and up

Athletics Wellington

Wainuiomata

Along the firebreaks of the Wainuiomata hills with a mix of gravel, dirt, and rocky sections, some of which can be slippery.  Steep ups and downs.  Distances range from 1.5 to 11.5kms

Shaw Baton Relay

April

All

Athletics Wellington

Battle Hill, Paekakariki Hill Road

Teams of four each run one lap which is approximately 2km and includes a little of everything - flat cross-country, sharp hills, jumps, and a stream crossing. The event is hosted by the Olympic Harrier Club and is the oldest cross-country relay in Wellington, dating back to 1923. Kapiti has won the senior men’s race three times – 1973, 1985, and 1986. We have also won the masters’ women’s event.

There is a 1km scratch race for under 10s.

University Relays

May

All

Athletics Wellington

Queen Elizabeth Park, opposite the tram museum

Teams of four each run one lap of about 3.5km over sandhills and farmland. This event is held on our home ground\ at Queen Elizabeth Park at McKay’s Crossing. Spikes may be worn but are not essential.

Individual race for juniors.

A walking event of approx 6km is also held.

Enter the main gate to Queen Elizabeth Park at McKay’s Crossing and then turn left through the gates to the equestrian area.

Vosseler Shield

May

All

Athletics Wellington

Ruahine Street, Mt Victoria

This is a race you will talk about for years. It is a hilly (character building) race that seems to consist of 3km downhill and 7km uphill, all in two laps. The Vosseler Shield is a mixture of road, steep clay and grass tracks, pine groves, and steps around Mt Victoria. The course is narrow and slippery if wet. It starts on the grass area next to the Badminton Hall, Ruahine Street. Distances vary from 2km (U14s) to 11km (senior men)

Masters Classic Relay

May

35 years and older

Athletics Wellington

Trentham Park

This relay starts from the Trentham Harrier Club rooms. Teams of four each run one lap of approximately 4km over flat road and grass. Kapiti has won the mixed trophy almost continuously from 2002 to 2009.

Dorne Cup

June

All

Athletics Wellington

Trentham Park

This is a flat course run around the Trentham Memorial Park and over stopbanks of the Hutt River. Mostly grass, apart from gravel tracks by the stopbanks. Spikes can be worn and the course can become very slippery. This is one of the major events for the year and usually attracts big fields. Distances vary from 2.4km for U14 to 8km for senior men. You need to be registered with Athletics NZ to compete.

North Island Cross Country Champs

July

All

Athletics New Zealand

Spa Park, Taupo

Possibly the biggest and best race of the cross-country season held on the excellent Spa Park course in Taupo. This is traditionally a club subsidised trip. Races range from 2km up to 9 km for seniors and feature many of New Zealand’s top athletes.

Wellington Cross Country Champs

July

All

Athletics Wellington

Various

Depending on where it is held this event the courses for this event can vary. Some courses are wet and muddy while other hard and fast some with stream crossing and hurdles.  A real cross-country event. This year it will be held at Harcourt Park in Upper Hutt.  Kapiti hosted this event for many years and the Waikanae Park course proved very popular with most competitors. The distances are: Vet Men 8km, Vet/Senior Women 6km, Men 12km, U16 4km, U20 8km.

New Zealand Cross Country Champs

August

All

Athletics New Zealand

Various

Normally held at a different venue every one or two years.  In 2021 it will be held in Dunedin. The courses vary from flat courses to rolling hills depending on the venues.   The club has hosted this event in 2008 when we used a course at Waikanae park

Needle Relay

August

10 and up

Wellington Harrier Athletic Club

Crn Cobham Dr and Evans Bay Parade, Wellington

The Needle Relay is for juniors, seniors, masters, and composite teams and is a 5-person relay. There are two laps: an out-and-back 5km north to Weka Bay; and an out-and-back 3km east past the main airport roundabout.  It replaces the Bay’s relay which while very popular, provided some traffic management challenges.

There is also a 4-person Needle Relay for those aged 10-13. Each runner has the same out-and-back 1.6km lap north to just before Hataitai Beach.

Wellington Road Running Champs

August

All

Athletics Wellington

Wainuiomata may vary

An out and back road race using a 1.25km stretch of road that is closed to public traffic. There is a hill on one side and a river on the other side. The course is largely sheltered from the wind. There is a grassy area for club tents close to the start/finish area. Weather conditions are usually cool at this time of year.

Distances range from 1k for under 10’s to 10k for the seniors.

New Zealand Road Champs

September

All

Athletics New Zealand

Various

Courses vary and will be on a road closed to traffic. Distances range from 1k for under 10’s to 10k for the seniors.

New Zealand Road Relay Champs

October

14 and up

Athletics New Zealand

Various

Courses vary and is open to traffic. Teams of 6 to 7, depending on age, run legs between 6-7kms or 9-10kms.

Bernie Portenski Memorial handicap race  (Round The Masts)

October

All

Athletics Wellington

Titahi Bay

This is a 9km open handicap race, run with Scottish Harrier Club, starting from the Surf Club at Titahi Bay. The course offers a mixture of beach and road. It is run along the beach and up onto the Titahi Bay Main Road and on down to Onepoto. From there the course runs around Whitereia Peninsula to Onehunga Bay. After you leave the beach it’s up the not insignificant hill to the radio masts then on over the cattle stops and back down to the beach. There is a separate walking event and shorter races for juniors.