Auckland Trail Run & Walk - Waitawa Regional Park 2026

Waitawa Regional Park places you on rolling hills, native bush, and open farmland above the Firth of Thames. The course works because it feels like an "ideal introduction to trail running": moderate climbs, well-formed tracks, and enough changing terrain to keep you paying attention without turning it into a survival exercise. It has that useful "balance of challenge and accessibility" that suits beginners, families, and newer runners finding their feet off-road. Expect a mix of bush trails, coastal tracks, open ridgelines, and those "outstanding coastal views" that make the climbing feel earned. The longer routes range over the park’s three small peninsulas, while the shorter options keep the same approachable feel with light undulation and "sweeping sea views." It is a cupless event, so bring your own reusable cup, bottle, or hydration pack, and carpooling is part of the practical race-day rhythm because parking is limited.