5km Road Champs

Athletics Wellington

The last big road race of winter. Closed road, a river on one side, a hill on the other, and every grade from U10 to Masters racing at Reservoir Road, Wainuiomata. Come wear the lion.

• 📅 Saturday 22 August 

• 📍 Reservoir Road, Wainuiomata

•  🏁 Racing from 12:30pm 

• ⏰ Entries close Thursday 20 August, 11:59pm

The course: out, back, and sheltered from the wind

This is a 1.25km stretch of closed road, run out and back along a river with a hill rising on the other side. Because it's tucked into the valley, it stays sheltered even on a blustery Wellington day — expect cool conditions rather than gale-force ones.

Getting there — Turn off Moores Valley Road into Whitcher Grove, which leads to Reservoir Road. If it’s wet or you’re running late, it’s easier to drive up Hine Road to Richard Prouse Park or the very end of Hine Road, park up, and walk across the fields to the start.

Fastest route from Wellington — Skip the Petone Esplanade. Come off at the Dowse Interchange, take Hutt Road North to Railway Ave, through Hutt City Central, then Woburn Road past Hutt Valley High School. It’s a little longer on the map, but usually quicker in real time.

Parking — Spaces are limited, especially if it’s wet — carpool where you can. Park at the course, at Richard Prouse Park, or along Hine Road. On a wet day, only 4WDs are allowed on the grass slope at the venue.

Be aware while running on the road — Members of the public may walk along the path beside the road, and emergency vehicles, Wellington Water, or the Ranger may need to drive up between races. Give way if you see them coming.

Race day: the full schedule

Seven races through the afternoon, youngest first. Find your grade below and work out when to arrive — and when the medals come out.

• • 12:30pm — 1km, 1 loop — Girls U10, Boys U10

  • 12:40pm — 2km, 2 loops — Girls U12, Boys U12

  • 12:55pm — 3.5km (1 loop of 1km + 1 loop of 2.5km) — Girls U16, Boys U16

🏅 1:20pm — Medal ceremony for U10, U12, U16 (winter series medals included)

• • 1:35pm — 2.5km, 1 loop — Girls U14, Boys U14

  • 1:50pm — Junior 5K, 2 loops of 2.5km — JW U18, JM U18, JW U20, JM U20

🏅 2:15pm — Medal ceremony for U14, U18, U20 (winter series medals included)

• • 2:25pm — Women’s 5K, 2 loops of 2.5km — SW 20–34, MW 35–49, MW 50–59, MW 60–64, MW 65–69, MW 70+

  • 3:00pm — Men’s 5K, 2 loops of 2.5km — SM 20–34, MM 35–49, MM 50–59, MM 60–64, MM 65–69, MM 70+

🏅 3:30pm — Medal ceremony for the Women’s and Men’s 5K Champs

Under-18s and under: this is your last winter series race — series medals for these grades are handed out today. If you’ve raced the Vosseler, Dorne Cup or Cross Country Champs already, your winter series points carry through to the 10K on Saturday, 12 September (same venue, 10am), which is where U20, Senior and Masters series medals get presented instead.

Before you race: entries, bibs and grades

• Who can enter — Any athlete registered as "Competitive" and "Active and Financial" in Athletes NZ Gameday by 11:59pm, Thursday 20 August. If your Scottish membership is current, you’re covered.

• Your bib — Already got a bib from the Vosseler, Dorne Cup or Cross Country Champs? Use the same one. New to racing this season? Collect a bib from the Wainuiomata Harriers tent. Wear it on the front of your club singlet.

• What it costs — Free to Wellington Scottish members

• Running up a grade? — Want to race in an older grade than your age allows? Email daryl@fedude.co.nz by 5pm Thursday 20 August with your name, club, bib number and the grade you’d like to run.

• Racing for another centre? — Registered athletes from outside Wellington are welcome. Email Daryl by 5pm Thursday, 20 August, with your full name, date of birth and grade.

Age grades

Every grade except Masters is worked out by your age on 31 December 2026. Masters grades use your age on race day.

On the day: good to know

• Club tents can go up in the grassy area by the start/finish — get them on the course by 12 noon.

• Four portaloos at the site entrance, plus toilets at Richard Prouse Park and the end of Hine Road.

• There may be a BBQ on site — bring cash.

• Final results might not be ready on the day, so do not wait around expecting them.

• Teams: 6 to count for Open Men, 4 for other Open/Masters grades, 3 for junior grades (WU20 and WU18 combined). Masters can count for both the Masters and Open teams.

• Centre medals go to the first 3 registered Wellington Centre athletes home in each grade.

See you on Reservoir Road

Bring your yellow and red, bring the club tent, and come cheer on every Scottish runner from the U10s to the Masters.