5K races near Beachlands

Race 8 of the Sri Chinmoy Auckland Series takes place at Lovelock Track and War Memorial Park in Mt Roskill, Auckland. This community race morning features a half marathon, 10km run/walk, 5.6km run/walk, and a 2.5km kids’ run, with all events commencing at 7:45 AM. The half marathon is a 21.1km route on a road-and-park circuit. The 10km uses a shorter loop at the same venue. The 5.6km follows park pathways, offering a manageable option for beginners or walkers, and the kids’ race keeps younger runners on a short 2.5km course.

Starting in the Village, this two-lap coastal race takes runners on a unique journey along the shoreline. The course leads participants out to Narrow Neck and back, highlighting the scenic stretch along Cheltenham Beach, offering seaside views and local character. The Harcourts Cooper & Co Devonport Half Marathon course is impressive, passing Narrow Neck Beach before returning via Cheltenham, North Head, and the Navy Museum. This route provides a varied visual experience over each lap, showcasing several key landmarks during the run.

The Shorebird Coast Run begins at Rays Rest Reserve near Pūkorokoro/Miranda, on New Zealand's Shorebird Coast, and raises funds for the Pūkorokoro Shorebird Centre. Participants can select a half marathon, 10km, or 5km distance, with a separate 1.5km Kuaka Kids Race for children aged 4 to 12. The event focuses on the coast's birdlife alongside its running, so the children's race incorporates activity stations and a godwit migration theme instead of a simple short loop. The half marathon follows a largely flat, two-lap out-and-back course on the Hauraki Rail Trail, utilizing hard-packed sand, grass, and smooth metal trail surfaces. It goes by the shorebird centre, Taramaire Wildlife Reserve pond, Access Bay Train Shelter, and the Robert Findlay bird hides. The 10km follows a flat out-and-back route past wetlands, bird habitat, shoreline views, and coastal mudflats, while the 5km remains on the coastal trail network starting from Rays Rest Reserve. Families, walkers, first-time half marathoners, social runners, and club runners can all participate in the same morning, and the bird theme extends after the races with optional costumes for kids, food trucks, and coffee available at the finish.

The Millwater Half Marathon is a 21.1 km road race held at Metro Park. Its flat route is designed for consistent running, avoiding significant climbs. The course incorporates roads and pathway sections, including parts of the Te Ara Tahuna walkway, making it suitable for runners seeking an accessible half marathon with even pacing. The course features a coastal pathway setting and a faster profile, beneficial for experienced runners aiming for a personal best. It is also appropriate for first-time half marathoners, particularly those transitioning to the distance who prefer a direct route without major elevation changes.

Harcourts Cooper & Co Run Orewa is a community run and walk on Auckland’s Hibiscus Coast, utilizing the Te Ara Tahuna estuary walkway, starting and finishing at Metro Park in Millwater. It is part of the North Shore Run Series, offering options for experienced runners, walkers, families, social runners, first-timers, and children. The available distances are a 15 km run, 10 km run or walk, 5 km run or walk, and a 2 km kids’ dash. The courses primarily use flat coastal paths around the estuary, suitable for those aiming for a fast time or seeking an easy surface. The 10 km route follows the Te Ara Tahuna walkway, crossing several pedestrian bridges. The 15 km course extends this by adding a 5 km loop after completing the 10 km route. Aid stations, toilets, and course signage are provided along the route, with points of reference including Western Reserve, Arran Parade, and Metro Park. Finishers receive a unique medal, part of a collectible series.

The ASB Auckland Marathon allows runners and walkers to cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge, the event's most distinctively Auckland feature. It is New Zealand’s largest running event, held annually in Auckland. With options from a Kids Marathon to the full marathon, the event caters to families, first-timers, walkers, club runners, and serious marathoners. The course follows city streets and the harbour crossing, offering expansive views of Auckland from the bridge. Strong fields attract top New Zealand road runners to the City of Sails. The Charity Superstars program provides participants with a goal beyond the finish line; one recent group of 165 runners raised $650,000 for six official charities. The race, approximately three decades old, combines mass-participation energy with local history.

Run the Point is a November running event held at Hobsonville Point Park in Hobsonville, Auckland, offering 15km, 10km, 5km, and 2km Kids' Dash distances. The event utilizes the coastal track at Hobsonville Point, providing a route that is almost entirely off-road, distinguishing it from typical street races. The course runs along the inner harbour's edge, featuring wide paths with harbour views, an elevated boardwalk, and stretches through bushland. With 98% of the route off-road, it offers a distinct experience compared to many Auckland road races. A Hobsonville half marathon is scheduled to launch here shortly, and participants can also register via the Auckland Half Marathon Series.

Race 9 of the Sri Chinmoy Auckland Series takes place at War Memorial Park in Mt Roskill, Auckland. Held in early December, it provides 2 km, 5 km, 10 km, and 16.1 km distances, allowing participants to select a short run or a longer road-style effort. The start is located at Lovelock Track, off 740 Sandringham Road Extension in Mt Roskill. The event's structure suggests a local series race, with multiple distances utilizing the same Auckland park location.