The 5km.

Open 5km Road Race

SATURDAY 14 DECEMBER 2024 | WHAKATU - NELSON

Why the 5km?

Race 6.5 exhilarating laps through the heart of central Nelson through crowds of cheering spectators.

Looking to run a specific 5km time? Our elite pacers will pace groups for sub 18 minutes, sub 20 minutes, sub 25 minutes and sub 30 minutes.

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.

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!
Want help cracking a certain time? We have pacers for:
- Sub 18 minutes
- Sub 20 minutes
- Sub 25 minutes
What you get:
- Entry to The Spectacle
- Race cap
- Race poster
- Finishers medal
- Race pack filled with goodies
- Entry into the spot prize draw
ENTER HERE
For those wanting to walk the 5km!
What you get:
- Entry to The Spectacle
- Race cap
- Race poster
- Finishers medal
- Race pack filled with goodies
- Entry into the spot prize draw
ENTER HERE

ENTER NOW

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 cap
Finishers medal
Race poster
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 (the 1609m kind, not the 100 mile kind) race through the streets of Nelson

EntrIES

Key Dates:

June 30th: Early entry fee pricing ends
September 30th: Regular entry fee pricing ends
November 11th: Entries for nationwide Matthews Eyecare collections close
December 12th: Late/online entries close

Spaces are limited though so best to get your entry in now to secure your spot early!

Race Pack Collection

Those who enter before November 11th can collect their race pack from selected Matthews Eyecare stores throughout NZ between 2-6 December. Simply select which store you’d like to collect your race pack from when entering.

Those entering after November 11th can pick up their race pack from Matthews Eyecare Nelson during the designated time slot on Thursday 12 December, Friday 13 December and Saturday 14 December.

Race hub

The race hub is located at Trafalgar Square. This is where you can browse the race stalls, listen to live music, eat great food, and cheer everyone on with your friends and family.

Prizes

Medals: Every finisher will receive a beautiful wooden medal as you cross the finish line, you might even have an Olympian presenting it to you!

Top 3 finishers: The top 3 finishers in each race of each gender will be presented on stage 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 (think travel vouchers, all-inclusive spa days and more). 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 child 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.