NZ Road Relay

The Road Relay is the biggest event on Wellington Scottish’s running calendar. Each year, our club members travel away together for a weekend of racing, camaraderie and celebration. Join us in the Manawatu for this year’s event!

Date: 2–4 October 2026
Location: Manawatū

About

Ready to join us?

The relay and team selection

Dinner and social activities

Accommodation

Transport

During the relay

Travel to and from Palmerston North

About

The New Zealand Road Relays are one of the premier events on the national running calendar, bringing together clubs from across the country.

For Wellington Scottish, the Road Relays are much more than a race. It is our biggest away trip of the year, with more than 100 members coming together for a weekend celebrating everything that makes our club special. Whether you’re aiming for a medal, chasing a personal best, supporting your teammates, or joining the weekend as a partner, family member or supporter, the Road Relays offer something for everyone.

Hosted in a different location each year, the weekend typically includes a full day of relay racing on Saturday, a club dinner on Saturday evening and group accommodation for the weekend. It is an event that shows what it means to be part of Wellington Scottish and one of the few races in the calendar where running truly becomes a team sport.

Ready to join us?

Register now and let your section captain know you’re keen to be involved. Whether this is your first Road Relays or your twentieth, we’d love to have you there.

The relay and team selection

The Road Relays are a team event in which between four and seven runners (and teams of four walkers) each complete one leg of the course. Depending on the grade, relay legs range from approximately 4km to 11km and include a mixture of climbs, flat sections and fast descents. As each runner completes their leg, teammates travel together between changeovers, cheering each other on and creating the atmosphere that makes the Road Relays such a memorable event.

All members of Wellington Scottish are encouraged to take part. Teams are selected by section captains, with grades ranging from highly competitive championship races through to social grades designed for members who simply want to enjoy the experience.

If you’re interested in attending, let your section captain know as early as possible by registering so they can consider you during the team selection process.

Selections are generally based on recent performances. The Wellington 10km Road Championships will be the primary selection race for the seniors and masters 35 grades, while the Wellington 5km Championships will also be used when selecting grades running the shorter relay legs.

Because the Road Relays move around the country each year, every course is different. This year’s event is hosted by Feilding Moa and will be held in the Manawatū township of Halcombe.

All competitors must be current paid-up members to compete. Wellington Scottish club uniform must be worn while racing, and members may wish to show their team spirit with face paint, tutus, streamers or other colourful additions.

Course details

Dinner and social activities

While the racing is the main attraction, spending time together afterwards is just as important. Every year, Wellington Scottish comes together to enjoy good food, share stories from the day and celebrate another memorable Road Relays weekend.

Friday night dinner

As members arrive in Palmerston North on Friday evening, casual dinner bookings will normally be organised by your team captain in local restaurants. A ‘supermarket run’ will likely be done for those that need it in the vans @ ~5.15pm.

Saturday pre-dinner drinks and nibbles

Before dinner, members are invited to gather at Bubbles from 6.00 pm for drinks (own account) and light refreshments (provided). This will be a great opportunity to catch up with teammates, meet members from other teams and unwind after an exciting day of racing.

Saturday night club dinner

The Saturday evening dinner is one of the highlights of the Road Relays weekend and an important Wellington Scottish tradition. This year’s dinner will be held at Brew Union from 7.30pm, with a buffet meal provided. Please include any dietary requirements when completing your registration.

Between dinner and dessert, team captains will share highlights from the day’s racing and present their team’s “Team Member of the Day” award: a tradition that always produces plenty of laughter and memorable stories.

Partners, family members and supporters attending the weekend are warmly invited to join the club dinner (note that the cost is only subsidised for Scottish members). The dress code is tidy casual, although many members enjoy taking the opportunity to dress up for the evening.

After dinner, members are welcome to continue enjoying Palmerston North’s hospitality – the suggestion is to head to Holy Grail nightclub for some dancing, or you can head back to the accommodation for a well-earned night’s rest.

Accommodation

Group accommodation has been organised by the Road Relays Sub-committee, making it easy for members to enjoy the full weekend together.

We expect most members will want to stay for both Friday and Saturday nights, which is a great way to make the most of the weekend and spend time with teammates outside of the racing. However, we recognise that everyone’s circumstances are different. Members are welcome to:

stay for only one night;
arrange their own accommodation; or
drive to and from Palmerston North on the Saturday if that better suits their plans.

Whatever option you choose, we’d love to have you involved in the weekend. Just be clear with your plans on the registration form.

Rooms are generally allocated by team and age group, with most accommodating between 2 and 4 people. Couples will usually be roomed together unless they prefer to stay with their team, and family rooms are available for members travelling with children. Partners, family members and supporters are welcome to join the weekend (note that the cost is only subsidised for Scottish members). If you plan to bring additional people or have any accommodation preferences, simply let us know when completing your registration form, and we’ll do our best to accommodate your needs.

All motel rooms include towels, linen and basic kitchenette facilities.

Transport

During the relay

One of the most enjoyable parts of the Road Relays is travelling between changeovers with your teammates, cheering each other on and sharing the excitement and banter as the race unfolds.

Each team captain will determine the most suitable transport for their team. Depending on team size and logistics, this may be a hired club van or a member’s vehicle. If you have access to a vehicle with six or more seats and are willing to use it as your team’s vehicle during the relay, please let us know via the registration form.

Travel to and from Palmerston North

Many members choose to travel together, making the journey to and from Palmerston North part of the Road Relays experience.

Seats will be available in club vehicles for members wishing to travel with the club. Details, departure times and costs will be confirmed closer to the event. However, members are welcome to make their own travel arrangements if they prefer.

Current planned departure times from Wellington are: 12.00pm; 3.00pm and 6.00pm.

(These times are indicative and may change depending on registrations.)

Costs

The club will be heavily subsidising the trip costs for members, reflecting the importance of the event. In addition, further financial assistance will be available via the Scottish Supporters Trust for top-performing seniors.

· Costs per person are as follows: Entry fee $60

· Motel accommodation $65 subsidised to $35 per night

· Saturday club dinner $65 subsidised to $30

· Club transport to / from Palmerston North: $10 each way.

Payment will be required into the Scottish bank account (38-9005-0501833-00) by 24 September.

Registration

Registration for the New Zealand Road Relays is now open! Refer to the link above. To assist with team selection and event planning, register ASAP. All registrations must be completed by 15 September 2026, and payment must be made by 24 September.

The registration form will also ask for information to help organise the weekend, including:

accommodation preferences
transport requirements
dietary requirements, and
whether you have access to a vehicle that may be suitable for use as a team vehicle during the relay.

Weekend Timetable

The timetable below provides an overview of the weekend. Further details, including confirmed times and locations, will be provided closer to the event.