Athletics New Zealand brings two National Championships together on the same day at the same event, and it’s going down at The Spectacle Trail & Road Running Festival in Whakatū, Nelson, on Saturday 6 December.
This exciting double-header will see the New Zealand Road Mile Championships and the New Zealand 50km Championships integrated into one of the country’s most unique and fast-growing running festivals.
Set in the stunning surrounds of Nelson, The Spectacle is a true festival of running. Every bit as tough-trail scenic as it is a road-speedsters’ paradise. Hosting the full gamut of running, from a 100-mile ultra, 10km trail run, to a 5km road race.
Over 5000 fans packed the inner-Nelson loop as milers flew around the course in the inaugural 2024 event, before the post-race festivities began. The Black Seeds played late into the night, in a free concert celebrating the inaugural year of the event. They’ll be back jamming into the night to close out the 2025 event!
The Mile
2024 saw a high-quality international elite road mile field assemble in Nelson for a road mile showcase, harkening back to the iconic 1983 Queen Street mile, which saw Mike Boit run 3:28.36 down Queen Street.
In 2025, the Mile returns with even more energy. Hosting the New Zealand road mile championships will see top Kiwi athletes line up in the elite fields to go head-to-head with some of the best in the world. All chasing finish-line glory and, for our Kiwi competitors, national titles.
The course in Nelson is electric, with crowds packing the entire circuit. Racers complete 2.15 laps of the circuit around central Nelson.
Read more about the logistics for the 2025 New Zealand Road Mile Championships.
The 50km
On the other end of the spectrum, the 50km Championships offer a true test of grit. This year’s course will take athletes on a scenic yet demanding journey through the Nelson region, blending challenging climbing and descending with some incredible scenery that ultra runners thrive on. Participants in 2024 raved about the scenic and challenging course through the local trails.
Jason Cameron, Head of Out of Stadia Events at Athletics NZ, is excited about the partnership:
“We look forward to partnering with The Spectacle on these exciting competitive opportunities with the athletics community. The Spectacle is an amazing event, gaining prominence nationally and internationally with its unique fusion of trail and road races. Staging the Road Mile and 50km Championships will be an epic combination for our trail and road devotees or even as a gruelling back-to-back double for the more adventurous.”
“We’re excited to be partnering with high-quality events in the running market to offer a different running and competition experience. We’re aiming to build the profile of running in our host regions and provide great opportunities for our member clubs and athletes to get involved too.”
Athletics NZ is proud to be working alongside The Spectacle team to deliver a truly unforgettable event.
“We’re excited to partner with Athletics New Zealand to bring the Road Mile and 50km Championships to Nelson. This is a chance to elevate our sport in the region, inspire the next generation, and highlight Nelson as one of New Zealand’s premier running destinations.”
The spectacle
Whether you’re a miler, an ultra runner, or just love being part of the action, this is your chance to experience something special.
Enter by midnight, 27 September, to beat the price rise. Enter here.
