New Zealand
My Next Challenge helps you find your next running event in New Zealand. Whether you are looking for a fun run for the family, your next marathon or half marathon, ultra-distance run, trail run, bucket list runs through vineyards, along beaches or up mountains, challenge yourself, be inspired and get active!
47 Run events
Christchurch Canterbury
Yes; this is the most colourful event you’ll ever see and be in. We bring real colour back to what’s been called the Residential Red Zone, with more colours than just red, with all the colours from the rainbow plus some extras.
Hobsonville Auckland
Run the Point is back and due to take place on the 24th of November 2024!
Run the Point is the second race in the North Shore Run Series.
Taupo Waikato
Poronui Passage is a luxury trail and mountain bike event held in a back-country station set in the foothills of the Kaimanawa Mountain Ranges, just 40 minutes from Taupo. The event offers a marathon distance trail run and a half marathon run or walk.
Hanmer Springs Forest Camp Canterbury
The Hanmer Holiday Homes Alpine Marathon, Half Marathon and 10km races return on the 7th of December 2024. The Alpine Marathon Run has a 7 hour cut off time and includes 350m of elevation. The half marathon and 10km distances can be run or walked.
Kepler Track, Fiordland Southland
The Kepler Challenge takes place on the 7th of December 2024. The event will take place on the beautiful Kepler Track within Fiordland National Park. The course is 60km long with a total ascent and descent of 1350m.
Waihi Waikato
Trail Challenge Waihi will take place on the 7th of December 2024. Trail Challenge Waihi is a trail run or walk through the beautiful Karangahake Gorge. The event includes a number of distance options for runners and walkers including 8. 2km, 13.
Pegasus Town Canterbury
The Canterbury Half Marathon will be held on Sunday 8th of December 2024 at Pegasus Town. This beautiful setting hosts the Canterbury Half Marathon and 9km Run and Walk annually.
Omaha Auckland
The Omaha Half Marathon is back and taking place on the 8th of December 2024. The Omaha Half Marathon offers a Half Marathon, 10km and 5km run / walk and a 2km kids dash.
Wither Hills, Blenheim Nelson Marlborough Tasman
Run or walk or both this popular 10k hill race in the Wither Hills farm park, Blenheim.
Hanmer Springs Canterbury
The James Great Southern Alps Miler 2025 event will take place on the 17th and 18th of January.
The Great Southern Alps Miler is 100 miles of some the most sublime and superb big mountain landscapes NZ is world famous for.
Rossendale Wines Vineyard Canterbury
What you’ve always dreamed of a Wine Run, that’s right, Exercise, Fancy Dress and Wine followed by a Party, with Live Entertainment. Save the date on the 18th of January 2025. The event starts with a run or walk, within Rossendale Wines Vineyard.
Mount Maunganui Bay of Plenty
The Mount Festival Half Marathon is taking place January 18th 2025. The Mount Festival Half Marathon offers a Half Marathon, 10km and 5km and boasts some of New Zealand’s most iconic and picturesque scenery.
Mount Maunganui Bay of Plenty
The Mount Festival of Multisport includes an AquaBike event. The event features a 2km swim followed by a 90km bike ride. The swim is in the sheltered harbour and the ride follows the same course as the Tauranga Half.
Hanmer Springs Canterbury
The James Homestead Half will take place on the 18th of January 2025. The James Homestead Half is an achievable 21km high country run, based around the St James Station homestead and the Mountainman/Alpine Adventure run stage. To enter or for more information check out the website at https://stjamesmountainsports.
Hanmer Springs Canterbury
Em's Power Cookies The James Stampede Ultra 2025 returns on the 18th of January. Come run with "The Wild Things".
Hanmer Springs Canterbury
Come run with "The Wild Things".
Navy Fields, Devonport Auckland
Run Devonport is race three of the Harcourts Cooper & Co North Shore Run Series. The course is flat and fast and distance options include 15km, 10km and 5km as well as a 2km kids dash.
Ben Lomond Otago
The Shotover Moonlight Marathon & Trail Running events are held annually on the challenging and diverse terrain of Ben Lomond Station near Queenstown.
Rotorua Bay of Plenty
Tarawera Ultra Trail New Zealand will take place from the 15-16th of February 2025. Tarawera Ultra Trail New Zealand offers a half marathon, 50km, 102km as well as the 100 Mile Endurance Run.
Devonport Auckland
The Cargo Plus Coastal Challenge is taking place on the 15th of February 2025. This event gives participants the chance to run, walk, wade, and rock hop all the way down Auckland’s extraordinary North Shore coastline.
Christchurch Canterbury
The Christchurch Motorway Half Marathon will return on the 23rd of February 2025, starting and finishing at the Canterbury A & P Park. This is an amazing course and with no vehicles, allows runners and walkers to concentrate on their running.
Queenstown Otago
Traversing the absolutely stunning ridges and valleys of the Harris Mountain Range between Wānaka and Arrowtown. The mountain run track covers 52km of exposed and physically challenging back-country terrain across the Motatapu and Soho Stations on an old travellers' route that is steeped in New Zealand history.
Queenstown Otago
This iconic trail run or walk is through the magnificent Motatapu, Soho, and Glencoe Stations.
Arrowtown Otago
A spectacular loop from Arrowtown, ascending the historic Tobin's Track up onto the Crown Terrace before entering the magnificent Glencoe Station. The Motatapu is a hugely enjoyable and social event, famous for its relaxed southern vibe and huge comradery. For more information visit www. motatapu. com
Arrowtown Otago
Starting and finishing at Wilcox Green, Arrowtown participants head on a 4km loop along the Arrow River Bridges Trail.
St Heliers Bay Auckland
Round the Bays 2025 will take place on the 2nd of March. Round the Bays is New Zealand’s largest fun run, boasting over 30,000 participants each year - and growing! Our home is the vibrant city of Auckland, with the 8. 4km course following the city’s picturesque coastline.
Maraetai Auckland
Taking place on the 9th of March 2025, the Maraetai Half Marathon offers a half marathon, 10km, 5km run/ walk and a 2km kids dash on Auckland's beautiful Pohutukawa coast.
Albany Auckland
Run Albany will return on the 16th of March 2025. The event is the fourth and final race in the North Shore Run Series. Distances on offer throughout the series include 15km, 10km, 5km & 2km.
Christchurch Canterbury
The Les Mills City2Surf offers a 12km and 6km fun run. The 12km course is returning to its original course from the CBD (Latimer Square) to New Brighton, following the Avon River. The 6km begins in Porritt Park and finishes at Rawhiti Domain.
Walter Peak Station, Queenstown Otago
The Walter Peak High Country Run will take place on the 22nd of March 2025. After crossing Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw, participants will depart at Walter Peak Station. On offer is a 10km and 5km trail run offering spectacular views of the lake and mountains.
Hanmer Springs Canterbury
The Dog Creek Timber Trail Ultra Run (formerly knonwn as the Old Forest Hanmer 100) will take place on the 4th of April 2025.
Aoraki Mount Cook Village, Aoraki Mount Cook National Park Canterbury
The Aoraki Mount Cook Marathon will take place on the 5th of April 2025. Runners and walkers follow the main Mt Cook Road that passes stunning lakes, mountain and glacial landscapes.
Mission Bay Auckland
The Waterfront Half Marathon will take place on the 6th of April 2025.
The Waterfront Half Marathon held in Mission Bay, Auckland is the final event in the Auckland Half Marathon Series.
Waitomo Waikato
The Discover Waitomo Trail Run will take place on the 12th of April 2025. The event offers four distances including 6km, 11km, 21km and 35km. All distances can be run or walked and the 6km and 11km are considered suitable for kids.
The Divide, Fiordland Southland
The Routeburn Classic is an iconic ‘adventure run’ along New Zealand’s renowned Routeburn Track. This exclusive event, limited to 400 athletes, takes place annually in late April.
Christchurch Canterbury
The Christchurch Marathon will return on the 13th of April 2025.
Inspired by the 1974 Commonwealth Games marathon, the Christchurch Marathon has been the South Island’s premier marathon event since 1981. The Christchurch Marathon is renowned as one of the fastest courses in the world.
Hanmer Springs Canterbury
The Hanmer Half Marathon will return on the 3rd of May 2025. The Hanmer Half Marathon takes competitors on a unique journey through Hanmer Forest amongst amazing mountain scenery. This is a great pre race for the Christchurch Marathon.
Mount Maunganui Bay of Plenty
We Run the Night will return in 2025 on the 3rd of May at Mount Maunganui. Choose from 5km, 10km and half marathon distances. Runners are encouraged to wear their own bright lights, to dress up and run the night along Mount Maunganui's iconic Marine Parade.
Hokitika West Coast
The South Island Ultra Marathon will be held on the 10th of May 2025 on the West Coast Wilderness Trail on the West Coast of the South Island.
Redwood Street Gateway Car Park, Blenheim Nelson Marlborough Tasman
The Mt Vernon Grand Traverse is an 18km hill run up Mt Vernon following the boundaries of the Wither Hills Farm park. With 950 meters of climbing and ascent to 422 meters this is a challenging run.
Wairakei Resort, Taupo Waikato
The Possum Night Trail Run will take place on the 14th of June 2025. Grab your headtorch and run or walk 5km, 12km or 21km through the dark at Wairakei Resort, Taupo.
Sky Stadium Wellington
The Gazley Volkswagen Wellington Marathon has been the Capital City’s favourite footrace for more than 35 years.
Wellington
The WUU2K will celebrate its 10th anniversary on the 12th of July 2025. The WUU2K or 'Wellington Urban Ultra 2K', is a trail-running endurance event around the hills that surround New Zealand's capital city. The event offers a 21km, 45km and 65km Ultra Marathon.
Rotorua Bay of Plenty
Run The Forest is the only reason you need to get up and get going this winter. Three distances across Rotorua’s unique geothermal and Redwood trails. Expect on-course entertainment, finish line vibes, tunes, food and more.
Mt Maunganui Bay of Plenty
The Mount Maunganui Half Marathon will take place on the 23rd of August 2025 at beautiful Mount Maunganui in the Bay of Plenty.
The Mount Maunganui Half Marathon includes a Half Marathon, 10km and 5km and all distances can be run or walked.
Lake Tekapo Canterbury
Merrell Race Tekapo is an exciting destination race located in the heart of Lake Tekapo, where you can indulge in stunning lake and mountain views, relax and soak in local hot pools, play up the snowy mountains and be blown away by the serenity of the International Dark Sky Reserve.
Bottle Lake Forest, Christchurch Canterbury
Finally, a chance to run with your best friend! An off road walking/running event set in the beautiful Bottle Lake Forest and beaches of Christchurch. The 4 Paws Marathon is a dream inspired by a passionate Sport & Exercise Doctor who loves running with his dogs.