Home Welcome  Subs Resources  Services  Results Misc Results AW results  Athletics NZ  Rowan's Running Photos Rowan's Other Photos Contacts Cool Running  Coaching Track and Field 5k Series  Winter Programme Three peaks Women Walking Squash  J-Team  Profiles  NZ Run

3 Peaks Wellington

The 3 Peaks Wellington Challenge is a great way to combine some good running with exploring new ways to the tops of the hills around central Wellington. It comprises three events - each is over three of Wellington’s plentiful hills.

The 3 Peaks Wellington events for 2010 are:

Event 1: 16 May: “City Fringe Circuit” – Mt Victoria, Mt Albert, Gun Emplacement above Ashton Fitchett (Brooklyn)  Results | Rowan's photos (Mt Albert)

Event 2: 13 June: “Out West” – Johnston’s Hill, Makara Peak & Wright’s Hill Results  

Here are the 2010 aggregate results for Events 1 and 2.

Some observations from David Colquhoun: No-one managed to match Nic Browne's awe-inspiring 1:46 of 2006 - the only person to have broken 2 hours for that course. It was a lot harder than the first event, but quite a few made it even harder by getting lost.  Several ended up down in the Makara mountain bike carpark deep in South Karori, which meant quite a few extra ks, and others struggled to find the quickest way up to Wrights from Makara. There are still debates about the quickest way for that. All of which means it is a course we will have to have again in 2 or 3 years. And it is also a reminder that for the next one, there is a bit of pre-race research to do as well. We have never done this combination of peaks before - the quickest way from Tinakori over to the Skyline is probably the bit that will cause the most debate, as well as the quickest way from Kaiwharawhara up to Odells. Let's hope it is not too grim a day up beside the Crows' Nest! 

Event 3: 25 July: “Northern Trails” – Tinakori radio mast, Crows’ Nest, Odells Reserve Aggregate times for the 9 peaks | Final results

Each event starts and finishes at the Scottish clubrooms (south end of Prince of Wales Park, Salisbury Terrace, Mt Cook). You can start any time between 8am and 9am on the day, but you need to be back at the start by noon as the clock stops at that time.

It is up to you how many peaks you climb; in what order and what route you take. Tackle three peaks, two peaks or just try one peak – you choose. Look for the Scottish flag at each peak where the marshals will record your number and your arrival time.  

Race it, or treat it as a Sunday training run with a difference. Use your navigation skills (pre-race research could see you finishing before faster runners). For many the main challenge is simply finding new routes through roads and tracks around the hills of Wellington, taking in the great views from the tops, and meeting people with a similar penchant for grinding up hills (and then swanning down the other side).

• Three Peakers - you need to be fit, and used to distance running (each event is 20+k).

• Those choosing two peaks (11-15km) or one peak are also very welcome and will be in for an interesting event. The 2 Peak option is great for those returning from injury, those masters athletes wishing to have an enjoyable run, or those trying their first challenge.

• Many walkers do it too, although for most recreational walkers there is only time to walk one or two peaks within the 8am-12pm time limit. We can make arrangements for faster walkers wanting to cover all three peaks to start early (7:30am).

Refreshments (FREE – snacks, hot coffee & tea, fruit), showers and good company are available afterwards at the Scottish clubrooms. As a result of hot demand last time, Robyn and Bart’s famous muffins WILL again be provided for Event 2!

2 Peaks option:

Maps of each of event are linked below. There will be more detailed maps available on the day, but a bit of pre-race research is recommended. Particularly useful is the “map my run” website (http://www.mapmyrun.com), but a few trial runs over some of the possible shortcuts are probably the best research.

Brochure | Map

Prizes:

This year prizes and discount vouchers will total over $3,000! Those wishing to do all the 3 Peaks will be eligible for all the usual 3 Peaks prizes. All participants are eligible for the other 10 spot prizes as well as the Lifestyle Sports running shoes draw.

• Win a pair of running shoes supplied by Lifestyle Sports @ Dressmart, Tawa (value approx. $180). All entrants qualify - draw after the third event.

• Merit prizes (each with a total value approx $300) go to the fastest men and fastest women who complete all three peaks in all three events (that is, the fastest aggregate times over all nine peaks).  

• There will be 10 spot prizes (avg. value $50ea.) for each of the events (total of 30 prizes with a total value of approximately $1,500).

Entry fee is $10 on the day – Every entrant will receive a $10 voucher for Lifestyle Sports. Entrants participate at their own risk.

Wellington Scottish is very appreciative of our sponsors –  

Special offer

Thanks also to Craig Potton Publishing who have donated three copies of As If Running on Air: The Journals of Jack Lovelock, by Scottish member David Colquhoun. The international Track and Field Yearbook has described it has "one of the most interesting and attractively presented books ever written about athletics." Craig Potton Publishing is also offering a reduction of 20% off shop price if you send them the attached coupon.

More details:

Event 1: 16 May – This is the shortest of the three, just a starter, and is definitely under 20k. There are quite a few possible routes between all three peaks for this one. There is probably not a lot of difference, but every minute can count, and it easy to make some wrong turnings. What is the quickest track up to Mt Vic from the clubhouse? And does going past Truby King house on the townbelt and past the zoo to Mt Albert really much quicker than the road? Map

Event 2: 13 June  –  This one is a bit longer. Only the fast will be able to finish under two hours. It gives you a chance to run part of the Skyline walkway from Johnston’s Hill south, although some may think the road is still quicker. There are also a number of track options between Wrights and Makara, but be careful, some can add a lot of unwanted distance. Runners coming back via Wright’s Hill are requested NOT to try and run down the steep fenceline. It is dangerous. Please stick to the tracks or road. Map

Event 3: 25 July – This one will be well over two hours for most runners too. The Crows’ Nest is on the Skyline walkway above Ngaio, to the south of Mt Kaukau. From Tinakori Hill you can get to it via a four-wheel drive track from the top of Chartwell Drive, and from Odell’s reserve you are best to go up via the steep track from the end of Awarua St in Ngaio. Map

We appreciate the work done by David Colquhoun over the past few years, but he is not available this year.  The Three Peaks' organizers this year are –

2010
Event 1, “City Fringe Circuit” – Mt Victoria, Mt Albert, Gun Emplacement - Ashton Fitchett,16 May Results | Rowan's photos (Mt Albert)
Event 2,  “Out West” – Johnstons Hill, Makara Peak & Wrights Hill, 13 June Results
Event 3,  “Northern Trails” – Tinakori radio mast, Crows’ Nest, Odells Reserve, 25 July

2009
Event 1, “City Circuit” – Mt Victoria, Tinakori Hill, Johnston's Hill, 26 April Results
Event 2, “Eastern Watertowers” – Maupuia, Seatoun Heights, Beacon Hill, 17 May Results
Event 3, “Southern Special” – Mt Albert, Oku Street Lookout, Hawkins Hill,14 June Results

Wellington Scottish Athletics Club, PO Box 6239, Te Aro, Wellington. Clubhouse, Prince of Wales Park (map), Salisbury Terrace, Mt Cook   

Tell us about your race results. Any suggestions for the website? Feedback