New Zealand's best fun runs

The Ports of Auckland Round the Bays

This 8.4km course runs from Auckland’s CBD to St Heliers Bay. It’s open to all ages and abilities and you’ll be in good company whether you’re walking or running.

Be prepared for a big crowd; unless you’re a serious runner and qualify to start at the front of the pack, you should expect to spend some time shuffling along with the masses.

When: Sunday March 8

Website: roundthebays.co.nz

The Color Run New Zealand

There’s nothing serious about this short and sweet, colourful event. You can complete the 5km looped course as a runner, walker, dancer or cart wheeler – whatever feels right on the day.

The idea is to start out nice and clean, preferably in white clothing, and then get all coloured up as you pass through four ‘colour zones’ – you’ll be sprayed in different shades of natural, food-grade cornstarch (don’t worry, it’s light as fairy dust).

It’s a good idea to wear goggles or glasses, and cover or oil up your hair (especially if it’s blonde) for easy cleaning later. There are ‘cleaning zones’ where you can have a good amount of the loose powder blown off, but you should still bring a few towels to protect your car seats on the ride home, just to be safe.

When: Auckland – Sunday February 15

          Christchurch – Sunday March 14

          Wellinton – Sunday March 29

Website: thecolorrun.co.nz

Tough Guy and Gal Challenge

This run is the perfect combination of fun and challenging. You can choose from a 6km or 12km event, but either way, expect to get very wet and muddy as you prove you’ve got what it takes.

Wear shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty, and it pays to grab some duct tape to wrap around your ankles to make sure those shoes stay on and don’t get stuck in the mud.

Make sure you bring some clean clothes and a towel – there are hot showers available at the end, and you’re gonna need it!

When: Wellington – May 23

           Palmerston North – June 6

           Hamilton – June 13

           Auckland – June 27 and 28, and July 4 and 5

           Hawke’s Bay – July 25

           Rotorua – August 8, 15 and 22

Website: Tough Guy and Gal Challenge

Whangamata Run/Walk Festival

Courses in this event include a fun 5km’s,a more challenging 10km’s and a not-so-cute half-marathon (21km’s). No matter what option you choose, you’ll enjoy views of the ocean and untouched, bush-covered hills as you run.

You can walk or run the course, and there are prizes up for grabs on the day – including a $2000 travel voucher as a spot prize.

When: Saturday September 12

Website: whangamatarunwalk.co.nz

Sketchers Women’s 6K

This totally-doable, 6km event is just for women and begins and ends at ‘The Cloud’ in Downtown Auckland.

You can run or walk the course and the distance is long enough to get a sweat going, but not so long to require hard-core training.

While the entry fee of $45 is steeper than your average fun run, you’ll get a goodie bag and, if you’re one of the first 3000 people to enter, an event cap – and you’ll go in the draw to win a brand new Mazda. 

When: Sunday November 15

Website: skechers6k.co.nz

Triple Peaks Challenge

This stunning adventure race sees competitors run, walk or bike across the Mt Erin, Mt Kahuranaki and Te Mata Peaks, beginning at the Havelock North Domain. If the 47km’s isn’t your idea of fun, there’s also a 12km race and the option to get a team together for a relay.

Triple Peaks organiser Kiwi Adventure Trust has partnered with World Vision to fundraise for a good cause – giving people in the Solomon islands the chance to learn how to read and write. Funds will go towards building literacy centres, training local teachers and prioritising vulnerable women and young people for literacy classes.

When: February 28

Website: triplepeakschallenge.co.nz

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