5km, 10km and 15km

Run or Walk

medals for every finisher!

Enter Here

Join with us this Spring for a run or walk taking in trails beside the Manawatu River and the Mangaone Stream

EVENT day Sunday 04 october 2026

PRE-REGISTERED: Please collect your Race Bib between 8:15am and 9:15am Sunday

ONLINE ENTRIES close 11:59pm Friday 2nd October

ON THE DAY ENTRIES: Available 8:15am to 9:15am. Cash only

9:00am: 15km run or walk

9:30am: 10km run or walk

9:40am 5km run or walk

Prices:

15km - $30 ($25 for under-20)

10km - $20 ($15 for under-20)

5km - $15 ($10 for under-16)

Entry fee’s are non-refundable.

START/FINISH YMCA Palmerston North, Park Road

COURSES

Course maps can be found at the bottom of this page. (Courses may be subject to variation depending on conditions on the day)

timing

This is a self-timed event with no official event timing. All finishers are celebrated. We will have Digital Clock at the finish line so you can note your own finish time.

Event access and parking OPTIONS

Consider walking to the venue - it is close to the accommodation hub on Fitzherbert Avenue

Parking - see map above for

  • Park Rd and carpark beside Kia Toa Rugby Club

  • Manawaroa St Hockey Turf Carpark

  • Rose City Carpark (just inside the Manawaroa St entrance to The Esplanade

FACILITIES

Toilets at Race HQ. There are additional toilets located in the Hockey Carpark (Manawaroa Street) and beside The Esplanade paddling pool.

DRINK STATION

There will be one drink station on the course at the 4.5km mark at Panieri Park. The 15km course returns to that point at around 10km mark. There are additional water fountains located along the course at He Ara Kotahi bridge and at Fitzherbert Bridge should they be required.

FIRST AID

We will have a First Aid team out on course and at the start/finish area.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

In the interest of providing a safe and enjoyable event experience for all entrants please take into account the following:

  • We are a non-smoking event. There is no smoking allowed on course, at event HQ, or the parking area.

  • Keep to the left of the course to allow people to pass on the right

  • Please obey instructions from race officials and volunteers at all times

  • Headphones are discouraged. Great for when you run/walk alone but you’re not going to be alone today! They prevent you from hearing marshals; people around you and the beautiful sounds of nature

  • No bikes, scooters or dogs permitted at this event.

  • Competitors enter at their own risk.

  • THERE ARE NO ROAD CLOSURES

  • We do not have exclusive use of the Bridle Track or any trails on the course - please be courteous to other users

COURSE MAPS

All courses will have adequate signage and key turn points will be marshalled on the day.

Route Description: Includes some sealed surfaces; narrow limestone trails and grassed sportsfields

From YMCA, across the park to Manawaroa St entrance of The Esplanade and onto the Bridle Track heading downstream to Panieiri Park (drink station there). Exit to cross Maxwells Line and to Grant Pl/Escort Grove, LEFT into Totara Rd past the PNCC Pound. At end of Totara Rd carry on straight ahead to the Mangaone Stream Trail. Follow this about 1.8km until directed RIGHT into Rangitane Park. Cross the park (follow the markers), RIGHT into Racecourse Rd then LEFT onto a limestone trail at Otira park. At end of trail RIGHT onto Totara Rd and LEFT back on Escort Grove/Grant Pl. Go past the Panieri Park drink station then return via Ahimate Reserve to Bridle Track upstream to cross the He Ra Kotahi bridge. Turn LEFT and follow river path to the Fitzherbert Bridge; go LEFT & UNDER bridge then RIGHT to cross the bridge. RIGHT just after the bridge to asphalt path, veer right over the stopbank to the Bridle Track heading downstream and turning back to The Esplanade - last km the same as the first.

Route Description: Includes some sealed surfaces plus limestone trails

From YMCA, across the park to the Esplanade and onto the Bridle Track heading downstream to Panieiri Park (drink station there), return via Ahimate Reserve to Bridle Track upstream to cross the He Ara Kotahi bridge. Turn LEFT and follow river path to Fitzherbert Bridge; Turn LEFT and follow river path to Fitzherbert Bridge; go LEFT & UNDER bridge then RIGHT to cross the bridge. RIGHT just after the bridge to asphalt path, veer right over the stopbank to the Bridle Track heading downstream and turning back to The Esplanade - last km the same as the first

Route Description: The 5.4km route is entirely on a sealed surface suitable for prams and wheelchairs

From Manawaroa Park through the Esplanade and onto the Bridle Track heading downstream under the He Ra Kotahi Bridge. RIGHT turn at the concrete path and cross the He Ra Kotahi bridge. At Massey end of the bridge, Turn LEFT and follow river path to Fitzherbert Bridge; at end of the path go LEFT & UNDER bridge then RIGHT to cross the bridge. RIGHT just after the bridge to asphalt path, veer right over the stopbank to the Bridle Track heading downstream and turning back to The Esplanade - last km the same as the first.