
THE 10km RELAY.
4 x ~2.5KM
6PM FRI 5 DECEMBER 2025 | THE TRAILS OF WHAKATU - NELSON
Why THE 10km RELAY?
What better way to show off just how much Whakatu–Nelson has to offer right on our doorstep, than in a fun, and family-friendly relay!
Grab your mates, colleagues, whānau, school friends — anyone aged 8+ can join the fun.
The course.
TOTAL ELEVATION:
Total Ascent: ~342m
Total Descent: ~343m
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, where the first relay change awaits.
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 for the second relay change.
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 and the third relay change.
The final leg retraces 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
Finishers shirt
Finishers medal
On-course photography (pay what you want post-race)
Timing chip
Medical support
Spot prize entry
Goodies from some of our favourite local businesses
Great vibes
EntrIES
Key Dates:
February 1st: Early entry fee pricing ends
September 30th: Regular entry fee pricing ends
November 28th: Late entry fee pricing ends
December 4th: Trail entries close
December 6th at 2pm: Road entries close
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 epic spot prizes.
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.
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Competitors must attend or read the compulsory race briefing for your race. Briefings will be posted on the website and sent out by email prior to race day. There will also be a race day briefing immediately prior to the start that will include current weather and trail conditions.
Athletes must follow the directions of event staff, medical team and course marshals at all times.
Competitors must adhere to the volunteer’s and marshal’s instructions at all times.
All Race starts are self-seeding. Faster athletes are to place themselves towards the front in the start chute and those looking to take their time to place themselves further back.
Athletes must not permit someone else to compete under their name, or compete under someone else’s name. Violation of this rule will result in the suspension of both parties from competing in the Race in future years.
Competitors must keep to the marked course and not leave the trail. Short cuts are prohibited (including on any switchbacks). If the athlete becomes lost, the athlete should return to the last course marking seen.
Competitors should keep to the left of the course if being passed by another competitor.
Competitors are in charge of knowing their own race course.
Athletes must follow all information signage, such as track closures, etc. Athletes should also observe all informational signage if training in the area prior to Race day. Certain parts of the course require special permission to gain access, all training must remain on publicly accessible areas and public land unless special permission has been granted prior.
The Race Director reserves the right to withdraw any competitor they feel is in distress and would not be capable of completing the event at any stage.
If competitors do not reach certain check points by the designated cut off times they will be removed from the course and unable to finish the race.
Athletes who withdraw from the Race (including those athletes required to withdraw under Rule 6) must do so at an aid station, unless assisted from the course by the Race medical team. To withdraw at an aid station, an athlete must notify event staff at the aid station and complete and sign the aid station withdrawal form.
Athletes requiring First Aid help on the course must use the phone numbers in their Participant Emergency Instructions (on the back of each athlete’s bib) to contact the event safety team who will arrange retrieval. Unauthorised persons (including Support Crews and/or Spectators) are not allowed to enter the course to collect athletes.
Athletes must not:
- litter on course, at any Race venue or in any surrounding areas;
- leave human faeces on the course or any track. Athletes who need to relieve themselves should either use a toilet, a wag bag or get well off the track and follow the ‘leave no trace’ principles;
- smoke or light any fire on course or at any Race venue; and
- take dogs on any part of the course (and, where the Race requires athletes to attend a National Park, anywhere in that National Park). Exceptions may apply for registered assistance/service dogs, please contact the Race organiser for details.Athletes must leave gates as they are found. If closed, an athlete may open a gate to pass through but it is each athlete’s responsibility to close the gate behind them.
Athletes must respect the rights, dignity and worth of every individual at the Race including other athletes, staff, marshals, volunteers and spectators. Athletes must at all times act responsibly and maintain high standards of behaviour and language and must not discriminate against or harass any person on any grounds but in particular based on sex, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, ability or performance.
Only athletes registered in The Spectacle are able to officially take part in The Spectacle.
Competitors should be kind and respectful to other competitors.
Please respect any private or public property adjacent to the race course both before and during the event (No sneaky toilet breaks on public or private land). Competitors must not, approach, or interfere with any stock.
Competitors must remove all of their rubbish. If seen littering you will be disqualified. If you carry it in, you must carry it out or discard it at designated areas at aid stations.
Staff and medical vehicles will be moving through the course during the race. Please be respectful of this and move out of the way as quickly as possible. Normal road rules apply throughout, please move to the left and let faster traffic pass on the right. Be courteous to all participants.
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For the purposes of these Race Rules:
• Spectators are those athlete supporters who attend the Race to provide encouragement to their athlete and view the Race from areas that are publicly accessible. Spectators are not permitted to provide outside assistance in any distance of the Race. Spectators are permitted for all Race distances.
• Support Crew are those athlete supporters whose designated role on Race day is to provide outside assistance to their athlete at designated aid stations. Support Crew numbers are limited to the number of passengers in an athlete’s allocated Support Crew vehicle.
Support Crew are only permitted for the 50km, 100km and 100 mile Race distances.
Spectators and Support Crew are not permitted to pace participating athletes unless they are one of two designated pacers allowed for the 100km and 100 mile.
Spectators and Support Crew are not permitted to run on course with their 10km athlete at any time
10km and 21km only: Outside assistance is not permitted. This includes at aid stations, water points or any other location during the Race. Assistance from event staff is permitted.
The rules.
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Pacers are not permitted for the 10km, 10km relay, 22km, and 50km.
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There is no mandatory gear for the 10km relay, however we recommend you carry any gear and fluids you would normally carry for an event of this distance over this terrain.
Trekking poles are permitted for the 10km, 10km relay, 22km, 50km, 100km, and 100 mile races, subject to the following rules:
a. Trekking poles must be fully collapsible so they can either fit inside a running pack or be strapped to the outside of a running pack (and not protrude) when not in use.
b. Trekking poles must always be used in a safe manner so as not to affect the safety of others.Athletes must ensure their bib number is visible at all times on the outside of their clothing and on the front of their body over the abdomen or chest. It must not be worn on pants or legs. Athletes must not cover their bib number with any backpack strap or article of clothing (such as thermal top, waterproof jacket (including see-through jackets) or, if mandatory, a high visibility safety vest. Athletes must not fold, cut or change their bib number in any way. It must be worn as is, unfolded.
Timing chips must be worn on your shoes at all times. If changing shoes during the event, it is up to the athlete to transfer the timing chip to the new shoes.
Headphones are not recommended, but are permitted for all trail races subject to the following rules:
a. Athletes must ensure that using headphones will not impact their mobile phone battery to the extent that the mobile phone will not be able to be of use throughout the entire duration of the race.
b. Athletes must switch off headphones, or lower the volume and use headphones in one ear only, when running on single track so that they can hear communication from other athletes attempting to pass and on any public roads so that they can hear approaching traffic.
c. Athletes must switch off headphones at all aid stations so that instructions from event staff can be heard and followed.
d. Athletes who choose to use headphones must do so in a safe and sensible manner and at a volume which still allows the athlete to remain aware of their surroundings.
The Safety Info.
QUALIFYING STANDARDS
We do not have any mandatory qualification standards for the 10km relay, however it is up to each individual to ensure they have done the training to complete this event safely.
The cut off time for the 10km relay is 3 hrs.
COURSE MARKING
While the course will be marked, it is up to the competitor to know their race course. You can download the GPX file for the course here.
Our Charities.
Myeloma
New Zealand
NZ Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/
Chronic Fatigue Society
The Brook Waimarama Sanctuary