The 5km.
Open 5km Road Race
SATURDAY 6 DECEMBER 2025* | WHAKATU - NELSON
*Date subject to confirmation
Why the 5km?
Race 7 exhilarating laps through the heart of central Nelson through crowds of cheering spectators.
Prefer walking over running? Enter our dedicated walkers-only category!
Grab your friends and immerse yourself in the full atmosphere of The Spectacle.
THe races.
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Whether you're an experienced runner aiming to hit a certain time or this is your first time running a 5km, this race is for you!
What you get:
Entry to The Spectacle
Finishers medal
Race pack filled with goodies
Entry into the spot prize draw
Plus other great perks yet to be announced for 2025!
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For those wanting to walk the 5km!
What you get:
Entry to The Spectacle
Finishers medal
Race pack filled with goodies
Entry into the spot prize draw
Plus other great perks yet to be announced for 2025!
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 other great perks yet 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 male and female finishers 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 local 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 course.
Get ready for a high energy start! The 5km starts at the intersection of Hardy Street and Trafalgar Street, past the restaurants and cheering spectators that line the course.
Hang a right onto Hope Street and then another right to come hooning down Selwyn Place. Here, the energy of the cheering spectators gathered on the cathedral steps will lift you up as you dash down Selwyn Place, enjoying the slight downhill, then hook a sharp right onto Church Street.
From Church Street take another right back onto bustling Hardy Street and back through the start line as you head off on your next lap.
Each lap is 750m. 5km runners will complete 6.5 laps. The finish line is located directly in front of the cathedral steps.
The Rules.
Race numbers contain a timing chip on the back and must be worn on the front chest area of the top you are wearing for the event and must be visible at all times. Please do not alter the numbers.
Bikes, scooters, rollerblades, skateboards and dogs will not be permitted on the course.
Baby strollers and wheelchairs are permitted on the course.
Competitors must not be accompanied by anyone who is not officially entered in the event. The exception to this is if they are a guide/support person in the AWD race or a minor entered in the junior mile, in which case they may have someone accompany them on the course.
Entrants who have registered in the walkers category must walk during the race.
Music devices are not permitted during the race for safety reasons.
Competitors must stay on the marked course and keep to the left of the course if being passed by another competitor.
Competitors are in charge of counting their own laps.
Competitors should be kind and respectful to other competitors.
Our Charities.
10% of the proceeds from The Spectacle will be split amongst our three wonderful charities.
Myeloma
New Zealand
NZ Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/
Chronic Fatigue Society
The Brook Waimarama Sanctuary
OUR PARTNERS
