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
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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
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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
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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 Whakatū.
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))
Trail
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 “track”, and forestry roads, thousands of metres of vert, sweat, dirt, dust and probably some tears, and will be an adventure like no other.
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4 × 2.5KM Road and Trail Relay
Elite
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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
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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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4 × 2.5km Road/Trail Relay
Mixed Road & Trail
Race Briefing: At start line
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2.5 hr cut off time
Race Briefing: At start line
Saturday 6 DECEMBER
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Cut off time: 11 hrs
Race Briefing: At start line
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Business Relays
Open Relays
Junior Relays
Open Mile
Junior Mile
Mile Walk
Open 5KM
5KM Walk
Mascot Race
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Watch the world’s best milers go head-to-head on the streets of Nelson!
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FOLLOW US.
