Download the official event schedule here.

FRIDAY REGO

4:00pm - 8:30pm
Register and pick up Race packs from the Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club.
12 The Esplanade, Whitianga 3510.

SATURDAY

• 8:00am (up until 30 minutes before your start time) - Registration

• 9:00am - 21km start

• 10:00am – 10km start

• 11:30am – 5km start

Times are subject to change. Please check information closer to the event.

4:00pm - 8:30pm
Register and pick up Race packs from the Blue Lagoon Tent at the back of the Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club.
12 The Esplanade, Whitianga 3510.
Friday night rego, park on The Esplanade, Monk St or Mill Road.

SATURDAY

• 8:00am (up until 30 minutes before your start time) - Registration.

You can have someone else register on your behalf and pick up your race pack (race number bib and transponder).  

Late entries will be accepted in person at registration if capacity has not been reached. You can pay by eftpos or cash.

TOILETS:
There will be toilets at the event base as well as at 5km intervals throughout the course.

AID STATIONS:
There will be water stations approximately every 5-7km along the course.  Water stations will include water, electrolyte drink and lollies.  The Half marathon course will also have bananas.

For environmental reasons, there will be no cups provided by the event so you will either need to refill your hydration pack or bring your own cup to use at Water and Aid stations.

There is no compulsory gear for this event.

However we strongly recommend that if the day is cold or raining that everyone wears or takes a thermal top layer (polypropylene or Merino), decent rain jacket or both.  This is especially important for those people who may be on the course for more than an hour.

Participants have 5 hours to complete the course.

We do not provide a drop bag service.

There will be a range of food and beverages at the start / finish line at Buffalo Beach reserve available for purchase.

We have some sweet looking beach style T shirts for sale by pre order only.  Click HERE to check them out and place your order.

All events start and finish at the Buffalo Beach reserve.

Please park at Buffalo Beach Reserve, Buffalo Beach Road (opposite Bruce Street), Whitianga.

Pets are allowed at the event base, but must be strictly kept on a lead at all times.

No pets are allowed on course.

No prams or buggies are allowed on course.

The minimum age for the 5km event is 5 years.  Runners 9 years old or less must be accompanied by a paying responsible adult aged 18 years plus).

The minimum age for the 10km is 10 years.

The minimum age age for the 21km is 15 years.

It is vital that you prepare well for this race.  Preparation needs to include the physical training required to be fit enough to complete the distance you have chosen.  Distance running does place stress on the body so if you have any doubts, you should consult your health professional.

And don’t forget to bring your ‘can do attitude’ – that will get you a long way!

Prizegiving will be helkd at 1.30pm at event base - Buffalo Beach Reserve.

Spot prizes will be given out at prizegiving to a total value of $2,000.

Trophies will be awarded to the winning male and female in the Half Marathon, 10km and 5km. 

We encourage supporters for the entrants.  Supporters must act in a safe manner at all times and must not follow or lead their runner in a vehicle.

The event may be run on an alternative course if the planned courses are not able to be used on race day.  Note this course may not be the same length as advertised.  Please keep an eye on the website home page, Facebook page and your emails for any possible course updates.

Whitianga Run Fest May 2026  - Participation Rules

1. I have read and understand the information regarding this event and understand that I participate in this event at my own risk.

2. I acknowledge and accept that this event involves an inherent risk of injury, illness and in extreme cases, death.

3. I hereby attest and verify that I am physically fit and have sufficiently trained for this event.

4. I understand that competing in this event may involve running and walking in urban areas, roads and on off road trails. The hazards may include but are not limited to; challenging terrain, rocks, roots, streams, cliffs, steep banks, geothermal activity, motor vehicle traffic, slippery surfaces, loose rocks, soft sand, weather conditions, heat exhaustion, hypothermia, actions of spectators, other competitors, general public and the event organisers personnel.

5. I will be drug and alcohol free for this event.

6. I acknowledge that although the event has medical personnel and resources at various points along the course, the inaccessibility of much of the trail will make it difficult or impossible for medical assistance to reach me immediately and extractions may also take a period of time.

7. I agree to allow event medical staff to treat me as they see fit.

8. I will stay on the marked course at all times, unless instructed by event staff.

9. I will obey all course marking.

10. If race management indicate that compulsory gear is needed, I will wear or take the compulsory safety equipment required by the event.

11. My support crew and I will obey the instructions given by event staff.

12. I accept that I may be pulled from the course at any time with the discretion of event staff primarily for, but not limited to, safety reasons.

13. I will complete the entire course under my own power.

14. I will not light any fires.

15. I will be respectful of other trail users such as recreational walkers and mountain bikers.

16. I will not litter.

17. Smoking is not permitted at any of the checkpoints or along the trail by participants, staff, spectators or supporters.

18. If I wish to withdraw from the event, I will either inform the nearest event staff, or text the Race Communications Manager (see rear of race number for phone numbers).

19. If I need assistance, I will ask a staff member or call the Race Communications Manager (see rear of race number for phone numbers). If none of these options work and I have cell phone coverage and it is a true emergency, I will call NZ emergency services by dialling 111.

20. Participants who leave the course/event without informing staff of their race number will be classified as “missing”. The participant will be contacted on their mobile phone and their emergency contact will be called. If there is no response from either party or the emergency contact does not know the status of the runner, a search will be activated.

21. I hereby allowing aerial filming of myself, including use of drones, as part of this event.

22. I hereby allow the use of my name and image to be used in the media and for marketing purposes.

23. I understand that my contact details will be added to the Element Events NZ database, and that I will receive emails directly from Element Events NZ. I understand that Element Events will not distribute this database for any reason and that I can unsubscribe from this database at any time.

24. I accept that the event may be run on an alternative course if the planned courses are not able to be used on race day.

25. I accept that the refund policies, as stated on the official event website at the time I entered, are not negotiable. I understand that the Organisers may have to cancel or postpone the event and consequently my entry fee may be partly refunded, not refunded or transferred to a new event date.

26. I agree to comply with any Covid-19 requirements that may be imposed by the Government.

27. I hereby acknowledge this waiver, agreement, release and indemnity discharges all persons, corporations, associations and bodies involved or otherwise engaged in promoting or staging the event and their servants, agents, representatives, officers and employees from loss, injury or damage to my person or property.

Taking part in this event includes taking on risks. However with proper preparation and care these risks can be minimised so that you have a fun and safe event experience.

Known Event Hazards may include:

• Bridges/ steps/ barriers / board walks

• Cliffs/ banks

• Dehydration

• Fatigue

• Flooding

• Getting lost

• Heat stroke / Hyperthermia

• Hyponatremia

• Low light conditions

• Medical problems

• People – Other trail users

• Poor fitness

• Renal shutdown

• Steep slopes

• Vegetation spikes, prickles, sharp leaf edges

• Vehicles/ public roads / competitors/ spectators hit by traffic

During the event, an emergency could take place such as a fire, Tsunami, earthquake or similar.

If an emergency does occur, follow all instructions from staff who may hold you at certain locations or lead you to safety.

What to do if you are injured / ill or just cannot continue to run/walk:

1. Stay calm.

2. Contact the phone number on the back of your race bib. Or;

3. Stop the next runner going past you and ask for help.

4. Apply first aid to yourself if required.

5. Put on warm clothing if you are cold.

6. Wait for assistance. We have event staff and medics who will get to you as soon as they can.