Photo: Alpsdake · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsRoad RunningTrail Running
Queenstown Marathon
Queenstown, New Zealand
November 14, 2026Date confirmed
42.2 km21.1 km10 km
City RunNature & Off-Road
NZCountry Running Calendar
Running Calendar New Zealand: Marathons, Trails & Endurance Events
20 verified events (13 confirmed dates) and 77 races in New Zealand with course maps and elevation profiles.
Events2013 confirmed dates
Competitions77Races & courses
Distances2.2 - 163 kmCourse distance range
Max. Elevation Gain+3,800 m D+Course elevation profile
Regions, Cities & Sub-Destinations
Selected Events
Featured Events & Highlights
Photo: Alpsdake · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsPhoto: Alpsdake · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsTrail Running
Kepler Challenge
Te Anau, New Zealand
December 5, 2026Date confirmed
60 km27.6 km
Nature & Off-RoadMountain+2
Photo: Alpsdake · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsTrail RunningUTMB Index Races
Tarawera Ultra-Trail New Zealand by UTMB
Rotorua, New Zealand
February 13, 2027 to February 14, 2027Date confirmed
163 km102 km52 km23 km+1
ForestLakes & Ponds+4
Photo: Alpsdake · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsRoad RunningWorld Marathon Majors Qualifier
Frontrunner Marathon
Christchurch, New Zealand
April 18, 2027Date confirmed
42.2 km21.1 km10 km
City RunCulture & History+1
Photo: Alpsdake · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsRoad RunningWorld Athletics Label
Rotorua Marathon
Rotorua, New Zealand
May 1, 2027Date confirmed
42.2 km21.1 km10 km5 km
Nature & Off-RoadForest+4
Photo: Alpsdake · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsRoad RunningTrail Running
ASICS Hawke's Bay Marathon
Napier, New Zealand
May 15, 2027Date confirmed
42.2 km21.1 km10 km
City RunSeaside & Coast+1
Photo: Alpsdake · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsRoad RunningWalking & HikingWorld Marathon Majors Qualifier
Wellington Marathon
Wellington, New Zealand
July 4, 2027Date confirmed
42.2 km21.1 km10 km
City RunSeaside & Coast+1
Photo: Alpsdake · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsRoad RunningBoston Marathon Qualifier
ASB Auckland Marathon
Auckland, New Zealand
October 31, 2027Date confirmed
42 km21.1 km11 km5 km+1
City RunSeaside & Coast+2
Dates & Schedule
Race Calendar
November 2026
| Date | Event | Location | Disciplines | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 14, 2026 | Queenstown Marathon | Queenstown, Otago, NZ | Road RunningTrail Running | 42.2 km21.1 km10 km |
December 2026
| Date | Event | Location | Disciplines | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 5, 2026 | Kepler Challenge | Te Anau, Südland Region, NZ | Trail Running | 60 km27.6 km |
February 2027
| Date | Event | Location | Disciplines | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 13, 2027 - Feb 14, 2027 | Tarawera Ultra-Trail New Zealand by UTMB | Rotorua, Bay of Plenty, NZ | Trail Running | 163 km102 km52 km23 km |
April 2027
| Date | Event | Location | Disciplines | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 18, 2027 | Frontrunner Marathon | Christchurch, Canterbury Region, NZ | Road Running | 42.2 km21.1 km10 km |
May 2027
| Date | Event | Location | Disciplines | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 1, 2027 | Rotorua Marathon | Rotorua, Bay of Plenty, NZ | Road Running | 42.2 km21.1 km10 km5 km |
| May 15, 2027 | ASICS Hawke's Bay Marathon | Napier, Hawke's Bay, NZ | Road RunningTrail Running | 42.2 km21.1 km10 km |
July 2027
| Date | Event | Location | Disciplines | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 4, 2027 | Wellington Marathon | Wellington, Wellington Region, NZ | Road RunningWalking & Hiking | 42.2 km21.1 km10 km |
October 2027
| Date | Event | Location | Disciplines | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 31, 2027 | ASB Auckland Marathon | Auckland, Auckland Region, NZ | Road Running | 42 km21.1 km11 km5 km |
Date to be announced
| Date | Event | Location | Disciplines | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date to be announced | Coastal Ultra | Chaslands, Otago Region, NZ | Trail Running | 71.4 km50 km25 km15 km |
| Date to be announced | Island Ultra | Nelson, Nelson Region, NZ | Trail Running | 55 km33 km18 km10 km |
| Date to be announced | Taupo Ultramarathon | Taupo, Waikato Region, NZ | Trail Running | 100.1 km74 km50 km |
| Date to be announced | Valley Ultra | Christchurch, Canterbury Region, NZ | Trail Running | 54 km24 km10 km |
Events by Month
Overview & Route Character
The running destination of New Zealand in oceania is represented in the RunningCompass catalog with 20 public events and 77 individual races, including 13 events with confirmed dates for the 2026-2027 season. Core disciplines include Trail Running, Road Running, and Walking & Hiking. Alpine trails around Queenstown, Wanaka, and Rotorua plus coastal marathons in Auckland. Key host locations include Queenstown, Te Anau, Rotorua, and Christchurch. Notable events in the selection include Queenstown Marathon, Kepler Challenge, and Tarawera Ultra-Trail New Zealand by UTMB.
Race distances span from 2.2 km to 163 km, reaching up to +3,800 m of elevation gain on the most demanding courses. Every race listed for New Zealand includes an interactive MapLibre course map powered by OpenStreetMap, a high-resolution SVG elevation profile with gradient telemetry, and a direct GPX track download.
Questions & Answers
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
How many running events and races take place in New Zealand?
RunningCompass currently lists 20 verified events with 77 individual races in New Zealand. A total of 13 events have confirmed upcoming dates, while additional annual editions include full course and distance specifications. Notable events in the selection include Queenstown Marathon, Kepler Challenge, and Tarawera Ultra-Trail New Zealand by UTMB.
What disciplines and race distances are offered in New Zealand?
Events in New Zealand focus on Trail Running, Road Running, and Walking & Hiking. Course distances range from 2.2 km entry-level races up to 163 km endurance challenges. Primary host cities and towns include Queenstown, Te Anau, Rotorua, and Christchurch.
What is the course profile, terrain, and elevation gain like in New Zealand?
The most selective courses in New Zealand climb up to +3,800 m of positive elevation gain. Each event page provides exact altitude range, ascent (+m), descent (-m), average and maximum gradient, an interactive course map, and a downloadable GPX file.
How can I find dates and register for running events in New Zealand?
The monthly race calendar on this page groups all confirmed dates chronologically alongside annual events awaiting their next date announcement. Use the discipline, distance, and month links or switch to the interactive map view (/en/events?view=map) to inspect individual event profiles and official organizer registration links.
