Frequently Asked
Questions.

  • Road Races:

    Everyone! Fast or not so fast, walker or runner, 5 year olds - 105 year olds, everyone is welcome. There are minimum age cut offs for some distances which you’ll be notified of when entering.

    Trail/Ultra Races:

    Pretty much everyone! For your safety, we have minimum age requirements and guidelines in terms of pace/experience:

    We do not have any mandatory qualification standards. However The Spectacle 100km & 100 mile are challenging and enter mountainous environments.  To enter you must have adequate fitness, mountain running or hiking experience to complete the course in the available time.

    If you are unsure if you are able to make the cutoffs please feel free to reach out for a chat with our team at info@thespectacle.co.nz.

  • CUT OFF TIMES

    You can find all cut off times here.

    The cut off times for the 10km, 22km and 50km have purposely been set to allow our less experienced runners as well as walkers tackle these challenging distances. If you are unsure if you are able to make the cutoffs please feel free to reach out for a chat with our team at info@thespectacle.co.nz.

  • Yes! Pacers are allowed for the 100km and 100 mile races.

    Competitors can use up to two Pacers, however only one pacer is allowed on the course at a time (pacers must swap at aid stations).

    Pacers must register pre-race and must wear a compulsory race bib number.

    You can find full Pacer info here.

  • Aid stations are located roughly every 10km along the course for events 50km and up. A full map detailing aid stations and crew aid station access can be found here. There are a mix of both crewed and uncrewed aid stations.

  • Yes! Our mandatory gear lists contain the minimum gear recommended to keep our 50km, 100km and 100 mile athletes safe during The Spectacle. Mandatory gear will be spot checked at race registration and the start line. The mandatory gear lists can be found here.

  • TRAIL RACES:

    You can find full bag drop info here.

  • Of course! Parents/caregivers are encouraged to run with their kids or anyone who may need some additional support during the kid’s events, especially if they are younger.

  • For the road races there will be free parking at Trafalgar Centre, Buxton Square Carpark, Montgomery Square, and Wakatu Carpark. There will also be parking available on the side streets around Nelson. Please note that most of Hardy Street and Selwyn Place will be closed so allow extra time to get to the race.

  • The entire road race course will be completely closed to public vehicles. This includes a large part of Hardy Street, Selwyn Place, Church Street and Hope Street.

    Trafalgar St will be closed for all trail starts, and for the entirety of the 10km.

  • All over the course!

    Here are some of our favourite cheer zones:

    Road Race:

    • At a restaurant/bar on Hardy Street - Hardy Street boasts some of the best restaurants in Nelson. Book a table outside, grab some friends and park on up and watch The Spectacle.

    • From Trafalgar Square - If you’re fast you can watch the athletes race past on the Selwyn Place side of the square and then dash over to the Hardy Street side of the square and catch even more of the action!

    Trail Races:

    • To catch the finish of the trail races head to Trafalgar Square East or Trafalgar Square

    • Any of the aid stations marked as crewed/accessible aid stations.

    • Along the Ridgeway for the 100km and 100 mile races

    • For the events that have small road sections you can track your athletes and meet them when they get to the road to cheer for them.

  • Yes! But some events have time clashes so please check the schedule.

  • You can find our cancellation/refund policy here.