The Spectacle NZ logo

5-6 December 2025 WhakatU-NElson

ROAD : TRAIL : RELAYS : ELITE

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

  • 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

    THE ROAD MILE INFO

  • Are you ready to take on the challenge of the 5km? Race 6.5 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

    THE 5KM INFO

  • 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 WhakatΕ«.

    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))

    THE RELAY INFO

Trail

  • 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.

    LEARN MORE

  • Swap those long flat roads for one of Aotearoa’s toughest half marathons (plus a few extra km). You might want to check out the elevation map of this one, it’s no joke! But the views are 100% worth it.

    MORE INFO

  • 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.

    MORE INFO

  • 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.

    MORE INFO

  • 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 β€œtrack”, and forestry roads, thousands of metres of vert, sweat, dirt, dust and probably some tears, and will be an adventure like no other. 

    MORE INFO

  • 4 Γ— 2.5KM Road and Trail Relay

Elite

  • 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.

Why Race 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

photo of a stunning beach in Whakatu - Nelson

We’ve gathered some of the best milers in the world to put on a Spectacle just for you!

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 truly has something for everyone - breathtaking beaches, extensive mountain biking trails, great cuisine, and world-class art galleries.

The DRAFT*
Schedule.

*schedule subject to change

FRIDAY 5 DECEMBER

  • 30-39 hr estimated finishing time

    Race Briefing: 5pm-6pm Thursday 4 December

    Reminder: these courses are tough!

    If you think you're on the edge between the two start times and haven’t done The Spectacle before, we strongly recommend opting for the earlier start to give yourself the best chance of finishing and avoiding being pulled at an aid station.

  • Sub 30 hr estimated finishing time

    Race Briefing: 5pm Thursday 4 December

    Reminder: these courses are tough!

    If you think you're on the edge between the two start times and haven’t done The Spectacle before, we strongly recommend opting for the earlier start to give yourself the best chance of finishing and avoiding being pulled at an aid station.

  • 18-26 hr estimated finishing time

    Race Briefing: 1pm-2pm Friday 5 December

    Reminder: these courses are tough!

    If you think you're on the edge between the two start times and haven’t done The Spectacle before, we strongly recommend opting for the earlier start to give yourself the best chance of finishing and avoiding being pulled at an aid station.

  • 4 Γ— 2.5km Road/Trail Relay

    Mixed Road & Trail

    Race Briefing: At start line

  • 2.5 hr cut off time

    Race Briefing: At start line

Saturday 6 DECEMBER

  • Sub 17 hr estimated finishing time

    Race Briefing: 1pm-2pm Friday 5 December

    Reminder: these courses are tough!

    If you think you're on the edge between the two start times and haven’t done The Spectacle before, we strongly recommend opting for the earlier start to give yourself the best chance of finishing and avoiding being pulled at an aid station.

  • 12-17 hr estimated finishing time

    Race Briefing: At start line

    Reminder: these courses are tough!

    If you think you're on the edge between the two start times and haven’t done The Spectacle before, we strongly recommend opting for the earlier start to give yourself the best chance of finishing and avoiding being pulled at an aid station.

  • Sub 12 hr estimated finishing time

    Race Briefing: At start line

    Reminder: these courses are tough!

    If you think you're on the edge between the two start times and haven’t done The Spectacle before, we strongly recommend opting for the earlier start to give yourself the best chance of finishing and avoiding being pulled at an aid station.

  • Cut off time: 11 hrs

    Race Briefing: At start line

    • Business Relays

    • Open Relays

    • Junior Relays

    • Open Mile

    • Junior Mile

    • Mile Walk

    • Open 5KM

    • 5KM Walk

    • Mascot Race

  • Watch the world’s best milers go head-to-head on the streets of Nelson!

FOLLOW US.