Sunday 19 July 2026

Harcourt Park, Akatarawa Road, Upper Hutt

The Wellington Cross Country Championships are a key event on the Athletics Wellington calendar and a good opportunity to test yourself against others from across the region.

The race is held at Harcourt Park in Upper Hutt, a well-known cross country venue with a mix of open grass and rolling terrain. The course is generally firm underfoot but still varied enough to keep things interesting, with small rises, turns, and the possibility of changing conditions, depending on the weather.

Runners of all levels and ages take part. It’s a straightforward, welcoming event where clubs come together and the focus is on getting around the course and running well and having fun.

Age grades

• Wellington championship grades are: U10, U12, U14, U16, U18, U20, Senior, Masters 35, 50, 60, 65 and 70.

• Championship distance for SW, SM, MW35, MM35, MW50 and MM50 is 8km.

• Championship distance for MW60, MM60, MW65, MM65, MW70 and MM70 is 4km.

• Championship distance for Junior grades – refer following race schedule.

• For all grades except Masters, ages are at 31 December 2026. For Masters’ grades, ages are age on the day.

Entry and eligibility

The event is open to any athlete registered in the Athletes NZ GameDay database as “Competitive” and “Active and Financial” as at 11.59pm on Friday 17 July 2026.

Competitive athletes from other centres are welcome. They are to email their entry to Daryl Bloomfield (daryl@fedude.co.nz) by 17 July and pay their $16 entry fee direct to Athletics Wellington (deposit into 031-540-0009238-00).

Only “Competitive” members of an Athletics Wellington club will be eligible for championship medals and to count in teams’ races.

Runners competing out of grade

Any competitor who wants to compete out of grade (including in the non-championship grades in the 4&8km races) must notify Daryl Bloomfield (daryl@fedude.co.nz) by Friday 17 July.

Race uniform and numbers

All competitors must wear their official club uniform and their Athletics Wellington race bib (as issued for the Dorne Cup and Vosseler Shield) on the front of their uniform.

If you have misplaced / lost your race bib, please see Daryl Bloomfield on race day for a temporary bib (which must be returned after your race).

Team races

There are team races for each championship grade, except Seniors where the team race will be Open (first 6 from each club in the 8km race to count for the Men, who will compete for the White & Mackay Shield, and first 4 from each club in the 8km race to count for the Women).

Counting Individuals for teams: First six from each club to count for Open Men and four for all other grades.

Medals

Athletics Wellington championship medals are awarded for the first three registered Wellington athletes in each grade. These medals will be presented at the Soundshell as soon as possible after each race.

Race start times and distances 

Contact details