4-5 December 2026 WhakatU-NElson
ROAD : TRAIL : RELAYS : PROS
The Spectacle has been created by runners,
for all runners.
From the mile to the 100 mile,
the trails to the road,
BEGINNERS to Olympians.
Take on the challenge,
then take in The Spectacle.
THe Events.
Road
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Race through the heart of Whakatu - Nelson on this flat and fast course lined with spectators!
Race options:
Open Mile
Junior Mile
AWD Mile (athletes with a disability)
High School Mile
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Are you ready to take on the challenge of the 5km? Race 7 exhilarating laps through the heart of the city on your way to clocking your fastest ever 5km.
Race options:
5km A Race
5km B Race
5km Walk
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Few things beat the excitement of racing a relay!
Grab your friends, team mates or colleagues and get ready to sprint through the streets of Whakatū.
Race options:
Corporate Challenge Relay (4 x 1 lap (750m))
Open Relay (4 x 1 lap (750m))
School Relay (4 x 1/2 lap (375m))
Trail
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The 10km - the perfect balance between challenge and attainability!
Whether you’re just getting into trail running or you’re a seasoned runner wanting a high energy day out on the trails, the 10km is the perfect option.
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Swap those long flat roads for one of Aotearoa’s toughest half marathons (plus a bit extra). You might want to check out the elevation map of this one, it’s no joke! But the views are 100% worth it.
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Conquer this race, and you'll officially be an ultra runner! And what a place to do it - on the trails of Whakatu, amongst lush native forest, on winding single track, taking in the most stunning views over Tasman.
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Think you can run from Nelson to Takaka?
Tauranga to Hamilton?
Dunedin to Oamaru?
Auckland to Hamilton?
Then the 100km is for you! Except this 100km comes with thousands of meters of vert, on single-track, sometimes no track at all and forestry roads.
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Warning: this race is not for the faint-hearted! We’ve even heard rumours it might just be Aotearoa’s hardest miler, but we’ll let you be the judge of that.
This is 160km of single track, unformed “track”, and forestry roads, thousands of metres of vert, sweat, dirt, dust and probably some tears, and will be an adventure like no other.
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4 × 2.5KM Road and Trail Relay
Elite MILE
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In 2024 we assembled the best international elite road mile field that Aotearoa has ever seen, and 2025 is shaping up to be even better!
Think Olympians, World Championship representatives, and American, Australian and NZ Champions, all racing right in the heart of Nelson.
Athletes for 2025 to be announced soon.
The Schedule.
*Schedule subject to change
THURSDAY 3 December
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Location: Rutherford Hotel
FRIDAY 4 DECEMBER
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Location: Rutherford Hotel
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Estimated finishing time: 36-39 hrs, or those who would like more of a buffer than the B start provides
Cut off: 39 hrs
Race briefing: 5pm Thursday at the Rutherford Hotel
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Estimated finishing time: 29-36 hrs
Cut off: 36 hrs
Race briefing: 5pm Thursday at the Rutherford Hotel
-
Estimated finishing time: <18 hrs
Cut off: 18 hrs
Race briefing: 5pm Thursday at the Rutherford Hotel
The A race for the 100km will finish Friday night, to allow the majority of A race participants to complete most of their race in the daylight, and be welcomed home in style during the Friday evening festivities.
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Estimated finishing time: <28hrs
Cut off: 28 hrs
Race briefing: 5pm Thursday at the Rutherford Hotel
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Estimated finishing time: 18-26 hrs
Cut off: 26 hrs
Race briefing: 5pm Thursday at the Rutherford Hotel
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4 × ~2.5km Road/Trail Relay
Mixed Road & Trail
Cut off: 2.5hrs
Race Briefing: At start line (for first runner, all other runners go to changeover area)
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2.5 hr cut off time
Race Briefing: At start line
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1903 Square
Saturday 5 DECEMBER
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Location: Rutherford Hotel
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Estimated finishing time: 10-14 hrs
Cut off: 14 hrs
Race Briefing: At start line
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Estimated finishing time: <10 hrs
Cut off: 10 hrs
Race Briefing: At start line
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Cut off: 7 hrs
Race Briefing: At start line
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Kids Mile & Junior Mile
Ranui Relay
Kids Relay (10 y/o and under)
Business/Corporate, Open & Junior (11-18 y/o) Relay
Open Mile - incl. walkers
Open 5km - incl. walkers
Prizegiving (all events except 10km, 10km relay, NZ Champs 5km, Elite Mile)
Volunteer Parade
NZ Championships 5km
Mascot Race
Elite Mile
Prizegiving for NZ Champs 5km & Elite Mile
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Free community concert
Why DO the Spectacle?
Something for everyone
Whether you’re after an electrifying road race right through the centre of the city, or you want to take to the trails and test your endurance amongst the tranquil native forest, The Spectacle has an option for everyone.
Witness the
world’s best Milers
We’ve gathered some of the best milers in the world to put on a true Spectacle!
Cheer on these exceptional athletes in this rare chance to see world-class talent in action right here in our city.
Experience the
Top of the south
Come for The Spectacle, stay for the beauty of Whakatu - Nelson.
Whakatu has something for everyone - breathtaking beaches, extensive mountain biking trails, great cuisine, and world-class art galleries.
FOLLOW US.
