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!


41 Run events
Canterbury Half Marathon 2024
image descriptionPegasus 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.

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Omaha Half Marathon
image descriptionOmaha 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.

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King and Queen of the Withers 2025
image descriptionWither Hills, Blenheim Nelson Marlborough Tasman

Run or walk or both this popular 10k hill race in the Wither Hills farm park, Blenheim.

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The James Great Southern Alps Miler 2025
image descriptionHanmer 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.

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Wine Run Canterbury
image descriptionRossendale 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.

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Mount Festival Half Marathon 2025
image descriptionMount 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.

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Mount Festival of Multisport Aquabike
image descriptionMount 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.  

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The James Homestead Half 2025
image descriptionHanmer 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.

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The James Stampede Ultra 2025
image descriptionHanmer Springs Canterbury

Em's Power Cookies The James Stampede Ultra 2025 returns on the 18th of January. Come run with "The Wild Things".

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The James High Country 100
image descriptionHanmer Springs Canterbury

Come run with "The Wild Things".

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Harcourts Cooper and Co Run Devonport 2025
image descriptionNavy 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.

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Shotover Moonlight Mountain Marathon and Trails Run 2025
image descriptionBen Lomond Otago

The Shotover Moonlight Marathon & Trail Running events are held annually on the challenging and diverse terrain of Ben Lomond Station near Queenstown.

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Tarawera Ultra Trail New Zealand 2025
image descriptionRotorua 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.

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Cargo Plus Coastal Challenge 2025
image descriptionDevonport 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.

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Christchurch Motorway Half Marathon
image descriptionChristchurch 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.

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Motatapu Ultra Run 2025
image descriptionQueenstown 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.

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Motatapu Allpress Espresso Trail Marathon 2025
image descriptionQueenstown Otago

This iconic trail run or walk is through the magnificent Motatapu, Soho, and Glencoe Stations.

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Motatapu UDC Finance Miners Trail 2025
image descriptionArrowtown 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

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Motatapu Jennian Homes Junior Trail Run 2025
image descriptionArrowtown Otago

Starting and finishing at Wilcox Green, Arrowtown participants head on a 4km loop along the Arrow River Bridges Trail.

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Round the Bays 2025
image descriptionSt 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.

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Maraetai Half Marathon 2025
image descriptionMaraetai 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.

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Run Albany
image descriptionAlbany 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.  

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Les Mills City2Surf 2025
image descriptionChristchurch 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.

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Walter Peak High Country Run
image descriptionWalter 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.  

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Dog Creek Timber Trail Ultra Run
image descriptionHanmer 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.

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Aoraki Mt Cook Marathon 2025
image descriptionAoraki 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.

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Waterfront Half Marathon 2025
image descriptionMission 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.

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Waitomo Trail Run 2025
image descriptionWaitomo 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.

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Routeburn Classic 2025
image descriptionThe 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.

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Christchurch Marathon 2025
image descriptionChristchurch 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.

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Hanmer Half Marathon 2025
image descriptionHanmer 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.

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We Run the Night 2025
image descriptionMount 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.

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South Island Ultra Marathon 2025
image descriptionHokitika 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.

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Mt Vernon Grand Traverse 2025
image descriptionRedwood 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.

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Possum Night Trail Run
image descriptionWairakei 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.

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Gazley Volkwagen Wellington Marathon 2025
image descriptionSky Stadium Wellington

The Gazley Volkswagen Wellington Marathon has been the Capital City’s favourite footrace for more than 35 years.

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The Wuu-2k Trail Marathon, and Ultra-Marathon
image descriptionWellington

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.

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Run The Forest
image descriptionRotorua 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.

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Mount Maunganui Half Marathon 2025
image descriptionMt 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.

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Merrell Race Tekapo 2025
image descriptionLake 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.

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4 Paws Marathon 2025
image descriptionBottle 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.

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