5K races near Inglewood

Coastal Five is a two-day running festival in Taranaki, New Zealand, featuring five separate races totaling 42.2 km. Runners can enter a single race, select multiple, form a team of up to five, or complete all five for a marathon distance spread over the weekend. Each race is timed individually, accommodating those targeting a specific distance and those aiming to finish all five. The weekend begins with the 21.1 km Coastal Half, a flat coastal route from the Wind Wand to Puke Ariki Landing, followed by a 5 km garden and trail run within Pukekura Park. Day two shifts to Lake Mangamahoe for a 4.5 km cross-country run on rolling forest and farmland trails. This is followed by a 10 km hilly run through native bush at Pukeiti Gardens. The event concludes with a 1.6 km twilight mile at New Plymouth Raceway, with Mount Taranaki and the New Plymouth coastline forming the backdrop for the series.

Lake Mangamahoe Cross Country is the third event in the Coastal Five weekend, taking place at Lake Mangamahoe Recreation Area in New Plymouth. This is a short cross-country run, offering 4.5 km and 5.1 km distances. The race begins and ends at the recreation area, with a 5:00 PM start and a 6:30 PM cut-off time. The course winds through rolling forest and farm trails surrounding Lake Mangamahoe, featuring a mix of gravel and grass surfaces. Participants will encounter moderate hills, woodland paths, open country sections, views of the lake, and vistas of the mountain. This offers a distinct challenge compared to the road races in the Coastal Five series.