2026 WINTER events


SATURDAY 20 JUNE | Sprig & Fern 10km ($)

Mapua

Hosted by Waimea Harriers

SATURDAY 20 & SUNDAY 21 JUNE | NZ Secondary Schools Cross Country Championships

Wellington

NZSSAA Website

SATURDAY 27 JUNE | The Kingsland Classic

A hill challenge for runners and walkers of all ages. Three course options each heading up the Easby Park access road and returning down the Escalator multi-use track. 

More info: https://qrto.to/dbaec440

Start Location: Easby Park, Richmond

When: Mass start at 2pm

Registration: Open from 1pm

Trail Maps

Hosted by Athletics Richmond

SATURDAY 4 JULY | Marlborough Cross Country

Blenheim

Hosted by Marlborough Harriers

SATURDAY 11 JULY | Nelson Marathon ($)

Nelson

Nelson Marathon Website

SATURDAY 18 JULY | Tasman Cross Country Championships

Location: Rabbit Island - Totara Picnic Area

Start time: 2.30pm

Distances: 
Juniors - 2km or 4km
Seniors - 4km or 6km

Hosted by Athletics Nelson

SATURDAY 25 JULY | Aniseed Ascent Trail Fundraiser ($)

Location: Aniseed Valley

Start time: 9am

The Aniseed Ascent, a unique trail race set in the rugged beauty of the Aniseed Valley.

Starting at the iconic Twin Bridges, this event takes runners deep into the heart of the Tasman Pine Forests estate, where private dirt forestry roads wind their way through a dramatic landscape of pine-clad hills and unique terrain.

Two Courses 10km & 20km - Both routes climb steadily through a mixed age class of pine forests and offer sweeping views and a true sense of backcountry isolation. In the realm of trail running, the course is fast, with 100% of the course being on dirt forestry roads, but it demands respect, especially on the long Meads Rd climb.

The Aniseed Ascent is an exclusive chance to race on land not normally open to the public, making it a must-do for trail runners looking to test themselves on scenic and seldom-trodden ground.

More info and entry https://www.aniseedascent.co.nz/home

Fundraiser for Leo Croxford - The event is a fundraiser for Leo Croxford to travel to the US for treatment for an auto immune disorder called SASH3. 100% of your entry fee will go to Leo.

Hosted by Athletics Nelson

SATURDAY 1 AUGUST | Sprig & Fern 10km ($)

Richmond

Hosted by Waimea Harriers

SATURDAY 1 AUGUST | NZ Cross Country Championships ($)

North Hagley Park, Christchurch

The 2026 Athletics New Zealand Cross Country and Relay Championships are heading to Christchurch's North Hagley Park.

Returning for its second year, the championship course incorporates sections of the Hagley Golf Course and has been designed to bring the racing closer to spectators. Located in the heart of the Garden City, the course offers plenty of opportunities to follow the action and watch the country's best athletes go head-to-head.

Entries

  • Standard entries close: 11.59pm, 20 July 2026 (including the deadline for names to be printed on race bibs)

  • Late entries close: 11.59pm, 24 July 2026

Athletics Tasman Athletes

Qualification: There is no official qualification race to be selected for the Tasman team at this stage.

Uniform: If you are a member of an Athletics Tasman-affiliated club and plan to compete at the National Championships, you will be required to represent the Tasman Centre and wear the official Tasman uniform during competition.

If you do not currently have a Tasman singlet, please contact annika@athletics.org.nz to arrange one before the event.

Twilight Relay: 4 x 2000m club relay. Running order is male, female, male, female. 

Clubs can combine to enter a team, however you must ensure that you indicate that this is a non championship team when entering and teams will not be eligible for medals. You can also enter a non-championship team if there is an incorrect gender split (e.g. 1 male, 3 females) or incorrect ages within a team.

Club administrators must enter their teams.

More info: Athletics NZ Website

SATURDAY 8 AUGUST | Cable Bay Cross Country

Location: Cable Bay - Meet at the Adventure Park, Cable Bay Road

Start time: 2.30pm

Distances: 
Juniors - 2km or 4km
Seniors - 4km, 6km or 8km

Hosted by Athletics Nelson

SATURDAY 15 AUGUST | Tasman Road Championships

Location: Sovereign St, The Wood, Nelson

Distances: 
Juniors - 5km
Seniors - 10km

Hosted by Athletics Nelson

SATURDAY 22 AUGUST | Tākaka Cross Country

Tākaka

Hosted by Tākaka Athletics Club

SATURDAY 22 AUGUST | Sprig & Fern 10km ($)

Brightwater

Hosted by Waimea Harriers

SATURDAY 29 AUGUST | NZ Road Championships ($)

New Plymouth

Athletics NZ Website

SATURDAY 29 AUGUST | Maitai Trail Run

Location: Waahi Taakaro Golf Course

Distances: 
Juniors - 4km
Seniors - 8km

Hosted by Athletics Nelson

SATURDAY 5 SEPTEMBER | Dovedale Hill Road Race ($)

Wakefield

Hosted by Waimea Harriers

SATURDAY 12 SEPTEMBER | Motueka to Mapua Relay ($)

Motueka

Hosted by Waimea Harriers

SATURDAY 19 SEPTEMBER | Queen Charlotte Relay ($)

Location: Picton to Havelock

Start time: 11am

Hosted by Marlborough Harriers

SATURDAY 26 SEPTEMBER | Sprig & Fern 10km ($)

Motueka

Hosted by Waimea Harriers

SATURDAY 3 OCTOBER | Beach Run

Location: Beach Cafe Tāhunanui

Distances: 
Juniors - 2km or 4km
Seniors - 4km or 6km

Hosted by Athletics Nelson

SATURDAY 3 OCTOBER | NZ Road Relay Championships

Fielding

Athletics NZ Website

WEDNESDAY 7 OCTOBER | Smugglers Tāhunanui 5km Series #1 ($)

Location: Smugglers Pub & Café, Tāhunanui

Time: 6pm

Distance: 5km

Hosted by Athletics Nelson

SATURDAY 10 OCTOBER | Washbourne 2-Person Relay

Richmond

Hosted by Waimea Harriers

SATURDAY 10 OCTOBER | Athletics Have A Go Day

Saxton Athletics Track

Hosted by Athletics Richmond

WEDNESDAY 14 OCTOBER | Smugglers Tāhunanui 5km Series #2 ($)

Location: Smugglers Pub & Café, Tāhunanui

Time: 6pm

Distance: 5km

Hosted by Athletics Nelson

SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER | Eureka Trail Run

Location: Andrews Farm, The Brook

Distance: 7km

Hosted by Athletics Nelson

SUNDAY 18 OCTOBER | Teetotal Traverse ($)

St Arnaud

Teetotal Traverse Website

WEDNESDAY 21 OCTOBER | Smugglers Tāhunanui 5km Series #3 ($)

Location: Smugglers Pub & Café, Tāhunanui

Time: 6pm

Distance: 5km

Hosted by Athletics Nelson

SATURDAY 24 OCTOBER | Pack Run

Location: Marsden Valley - Meet at the Sprig & Fern, Marsden Valley

Distances: Distances vary

Hosted by Athletics Nelson

WEDNESDAY 28 OCTOBER | Smugglers Tāhunanui 5km Series #4 ($)

Location: Smugglers Pub & Café, Tāhunanui

Time: 6pm

Distance: 5km

Hosted by Athletics Nelson

SUNDAY 1 NOVEMBER | The Nelson Half

Location: Saxton Field

Distances: 2.5km, 5km, 10km, 21.1km

More Information: https://nelsonhalfmarathon.co.nz/

Hosted by Athletics Nelson