The Spectacle
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The Spectacle NZ
The Spectacle is a multi day running event in Whakatū Nelson held on 4-5 December 2026. The programme combines road races, trail races, relays and a dedicated elite mile, with race registration and an expo hosted at the Rutherford Hotel.
Road events take place through the city centre and include a spectator lined mile on a flat, fast course, a 5km conducted over seven laps, and a variety of relay formats. The road mile offers open, junior, high school and athletes with a disability divisions. There is also an Elite Mile that brings international elite milers, including Olympians and world championship representatives.
Trail events run on single track and forestry roads through native forest and coastal viewpoints. Distances on the trail programme include longer ultra distances with substantial elevation gain, and a 100 mile event described as approximately 160 km of single track, unformed track and forestry roads. The 10 km, 22 km, 50 km and 100 km trail options provide shorter and longer alternatives, and a mixed road and trail 10 km relay is also part of the schedule.
The event schedule includes prizegivings, community activities and a free evening concert. Cut off times and race rules apply to individual events and are published by the organiser. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
