THE 10km.

6PM FRIDAY 4 DECEMBER | THE TRAILS OF WHAKATU - NELSON

Why THE 10km?

The 10km - the perfect balance between challenge and attainability!

Whether you’re just getting into trail running or you’re a seasoned athlete wanting a high energy evening out on the trails, the 10km is the perfect option.

The course.

TOTAL ELEVATION:

Total Ascent: ~290
Max Elevation: ~140m

Your race begins at the base of the iconic Cathedral Steps, with a dash straight through the heart of Nelson’s vibrant CBD. At the Trafalgar Street Bridge, join the Maitai River Trail, following the gentle curves of the river into the valley.

Cross the Maitai River via the footbridge onto Hardy Street East, then enter the historic Botanical Reserve, birthplace of New Zealand rugby and cricket.

From here, the trail winds along the lower Maitai Valley track, passing beneath the towering cliffs of the Old Quarry before arriving at Branford Park. A steep climb leads onto the Richardson Farm “Edible Walk,” weaving past groves of olive and macadamia trees, followed by a narrow, technical descent back to Branford Park.

Next comes the climb to the summit of Botanical Hill and the Centre of New Zealand monument, a fitting symbol to welcome runners from all corners of Aotearoa to The Spectacle. Enjoy sweeping views before a fast descent back to Botanical Reserve.

Retrace the Maitai River Trail, crossing the bridge and charging back into the city. With the finish line calling, sprint up Trafalgar Street past the bustling shops, bars, and cafés, soaking up the cheers as you cross the line.

THe important stuff.

What you get

  • Race number

  • Official race shirt

  • Finishers medal

  • On-course photography (pay what you want post-race)

  • Medical support

  • Goodies from some of our favourite local businesses

  • Great vibes

Prizes

All finishers: All finishers will receive a wooden finishers medal.

Top 3: Top three male and female finishers overall will receive a prize.

Spot Prizes: We love a good spot prize almost as much as we love a good race pack, so we’ve partnered with some generous local businesses to bring you some great spot prizes. Spot prizes will be randomly distributed in race packs, so if you find a little something extra in there - congratulations - you’ve won!

Photos

We have a talented team of photographers out on the course taking epic shots for the gram, or for the wall if you’re a little more old school! A link to race photos can be found on the Results page after the race.

The rules.

The Safety Info.

QUALIFYING STANDARDS

We do not have any mandatory qualification standards for the 10km, however it is up to the individual to ensure they have done the training to complete this event safely.

The cut off time for the 10km is 2.5 hrs.

COURSE MARKING

While the course will be well-marked, it is up to the competitor to know their race course. You can download the GPX file for the course here.