The TRAIL RELAY.

4 x ~2.5KM RELAY

6 DECEMBER 2025 | WHAKATU - NELSON

Why A TRAIL 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.

All relays start and finish in front of the Cathedral steps so you get as much spectator support as possible! The start is FAST! Runners hoon down Selwyn Place and hang a right onto Church St, and then another right onto the bustling Hardy St. The energy of the spectators enjoying an evening drink at one of the restaurants will carry you up Hardy St.

4 x 1/2 lap relay runners will hand the baton off to their next runner who they’ll find waiting for them in front of Rodd & Gunn. Runners then continue up Hardy St until they hit Hope St, where they hang a right and then another right to go dashing down Selwyn Place towards the start/finish line.

Runners will hand off their baton to their next runner in front of the cathedral steps.

THe important stuff.

What you get

We’ve partnered with some of our favourite local businesses to bring you some of the best race merch ever. Here’s what you’ll get:

  • Entry to The Spectacle

  • Race bib

  • Finishers medal

  • Spot prize entry

  • Race pack filled with goodies from some of our favourite local businesses

  • A chance to watch some of the world’s best milers race through the streets of Nelson

  • Plus more perks still to be announced for 2025!

EntrIES

Key Dates:

  • February 1st: Early entry fee pricing ends

  • September 30th: Regular entry fee pricing ends

Prizes

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

Top 3: Top three teams overall will be presented with 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 businesses to bring you some epic spot prizes. Trust us, you’ll want to stick around after your race for this!

Photos

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

The rules.

  • There is no mandatory gear required for the relay.

    1. Competitors must attend or read the compulsory race briefing for your race. There will be a race day briefing immediately prior to the start that will include current weather and trail conditions.

    2. Athletes must follow the directions of event staff, medical team and course marshals at all times.

    3. Competitors must adhere to the volunteer’s and marshal’s instructions at all times. 

    4. 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.

    5. 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.

    6. 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.

    7. Competitors should keep to the left of the course if being passed by another competitor. 

    8. Competitors are in charge of knowing their own race course.

    9. 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.

    10. 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. 

    11. 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. 

    12. Athletes who withdraw from the Race (including those athletes required to withdraw under Rule 6) must notify event staff.

    13. 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.

    14. 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.

    15. 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.

    16. Only athletes registered in The Spectacle are able to officially take part in The Spectacle. 

    17. Competitors should be kind and respectful to other competitors.

    18. 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. 

    19. 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.

    20. 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. 

Our Charities.

Myeloma
New Zealand

NZ Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/
Chronic Fatigue Society

The Brook Waimarama Sanctuary