A two-day, 85km multi-sport event that includes running, mountain-biking and kayaking each day. Competitors can enter either as an individual or as part of a three-person team.
Running and jogging are part of the Kiwi lifetyle.
At any time of day in Christchurch and in all seasons
you will see runners on the streets, in the hills or circuiting
parks. The city hosts several enthusiasticly supported
marathons catering for a range of fitness levels and has
numerous active running clubs, so you wont attract attention
or transgress any cultural shibboleths if you take to
the streets in your running gear.
Major annual running and walking events in and around Christchurch
Star City to Surf - Very popular 12kms Run, Walk and In line Skating.
SBS Marathon - Full and Half marathons, 10km Fun Run & Walk, 18km Social Walk and a kids 2.5km Mara'fun.
A community event not just a race, held every Queens Birthday weekend. It follows the historic down town course set for the 1974 Commonwealth Games.
Multi sport events
Tuatara Peninsula Race. Inaugurated in 2004. A two day 85km run, kayak, mountain bike event through spectacular Banks Peninsula scenery from Christchurch to Akaroa. This event is held annually on the last weekend in November.
Big Day at the Office, a cycle, mountain bike, run and kayak event round the Methven foothills.
Speights Coast to Coast Traverses the South Island from Kumara to Sumner - 243kms. Cycle, run, kayak. Next Race - 28th Anniversary Race on February the 12th and 13th 2010.
OFF
ROAD Christchurch's Port Hills are laced with
a network of trails conveniently accessed from Victoria
Park 6.5 kms from the Square. Enter the park
from just above the Sign of the Takahe which can be reached
by bus from the Square or by travelling south on Colombo
Street to Dyers Pass Road which takes you directly to
the Takahe. Two favourite tracks accessed from the park
and recommended by seasoned runners are the Harry Ell
and Crater Rim Walkways. You will find any
number of tracks on the hills ranging from challenging
to easy. Maps are available at the Port Hills Visitor
Centre in Victoria Park
Harry Ell Walkway
Starting from Victoria Park or any one of several
signposted access points on Dyers Pass Road, this well
maintained shingle track rises gently for 3.5 kms.
The track takes you most of the way through mixed and
native bush where you can hear the lilting call of the
bellbird. An occasional stretch of open tussocky
hillside gives stunning panoramas across the Canterbury
Plains to the Southern Alps. Connect with Crater Rim at
the Sign of the Kiwi.
Crater Rim Walkway From the Kiwi you can either turn right, or left
and eastwards towards Evans pass and Sumner, the preferred
direction. In both directions the track is well
formed with some ups and downs and a few grunty bits.
The track runs parallel to the Summit Road so if the going
gets tough you can drop down to the road's smooth
tarred surface. The views are unforgettable - you're
on the rim of a volcanic crater. On one side you
look down on the jutting heads and and inlets of Lyttelton
harbour once a crater of the immense volcano which formed
Banks Peninsula, and on the other you look out across
the city and Canterbury Plains to the distant Southern
Alps
Bottle Lake Forest Park
This 1000 hectare forest 15 kms from the central city
offers a well sign posted network of walking, running,
horse trekking and mountain bike tracks. The 10 km Blue
Track, one of four tracks limited to runners and walkers
is recommended by runners. You can also access the
multi - use Southern Pegasus Bay Track running through
sand dunes, past New Brighton and along almost the entire
length of shoreline from the Waimakiriri River mouth to
South Shore.
Enter the park from Waitikiri Drive. Mapboards at the
carpark give details of tracks. For information phone
(03) 383 0405
JOGGING
Hagley park - Best in the Inner City Christchurch's numerous parks provide ample opportunities for jogging, and wherever you are in this city you are not far from a park. But the most popular choice if you are city centre based is Hagley Park and the "Big M" Fitness Track.
This 3.75 km track with eighteen exercise stations starts at the park's Armagh Street entrance off Rolleston Avenue. You will find it clearly sign-posted with instructions on how to use exercise stations along the way.Showers and lockers are available for $2.00 at the nearby Central YMCA in Rolleston Avenue.
A travellers guide to keeping fit and healthy eating away
from home.Whether you are visiting on business or
holiday, back packer, corporate traveller or tourist,
Christchurch offers you a wealth of easily accessible
exercise and keep fit options.
From swimming pools and aquajogging, mountain biking and
on road cycling, roller blading or in line skating, jogging,
trail running, golf, yoga, pilates, through to gyms and
health clubs.
If you're eating out there's a choice of restaurants
and cafes serving vegetarian and organic or "Smart Choice",
Heart Foundation approved dishes.
If you're self catering you will find a wide range of
Heart Foundation approved low fat, low salt products
as well as certified organic produce in supermarkets and
specialist health food shops.
Prizegiving with heaps spot prizes, live music, bbqs drinks, and for children pony rides, Mr. Whippy icecream, clowns. jugglers, free bouncy castle and lolly scramble. Family fun day out in the country.
Cycle, run, or walk stage one of the new railtrail and experience the sights and sounds of this wonderful natural environment. The 20km flat trail leads from Motukarara to Catons Bay, Little River.
Saturday 4th November 2006 - Victoria Square, Christchurch
"The athlete's tour of Christchurch, all the icons - Port Hills, Avon River, Cathedral - so much fun you often forget you're racing."
- Steve Gurney (past winner)
5 Kilometre Run, jog, walk open to employees of businesses. Each company may enter an unlimited number of participants. All levels of ability are catered for.
