Legend of the Peaks
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Legend of the Peaks : Whakarewarewa Forest running and walking festival
Legend of the Peaks is a multi-distance running and walking festival held in the Whakarewarewa Forest, Rotorua, Aotearoa New Zealand. Main race days are Friday 6 November 2026 for school and koeke events, and Saturday 7 November 2026 for the primary race program. Event HQ is at the Waipa MTB Carpark, Waipa State Mill Road, Rotorua.
Race options span short loops, mid-distance courses and multi-peak trail races. Distances include:
- 50.2 km Whaka Ultra, 2240 m elevation gain.
- 42.9 km New Zealand Forest Marathon, 1750 m elevation gain.
- 21.3 km Camelbak Moerangi Half Marathon, 950 m elevation gain.
- 10.5 km Titokorangi 10K, 430 m elevation gain.
- 5.8–6.1 km Secret Spot Hot Tubs 5K Trig Loop, 145 m elevation gain.
- 2 km and 3 km kids and koeke loop options.
Courses run on off-road trail and single track through forest and thermal landscape. Several routes visit the named peaks Kohaturoa (Pohaturoa), Titokorangi, Moerangi and Kakapiko and offer views over the lake and the Rotorua caldera. The koeke event includes a 2 km loop with no steps, which has been completed by wheelchair users. The festival format also features an expo, food and music alongside the running and walking events. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
