COURSE NOTES
PEAK TRAIL BLAZER 2025
Safety note:
On race day the course will be marked with tape, signs and arrows. Safety marshals, not always mentioned in the course notes below, will also be in place at key points on the course (especially when there are directional options and road crossings). Please take this into account when reading these course notes. Please follow marshal instructions on the day.
TAINUI TRAIL
Kids & adults – all individuals (no teams) – 10am start Tainui Reserve (via Keith Sands Grove or Glenpark Place)
All runners/walkers must be at the Tainui Reserve main green 30 minutes before the race starts. Access via Keith Sands Grove or Glenpark Place. A short course briefing will be given at that time.
Course overview:
Start: Begin at the bottom of Tainui Reserve, running on grass with the stream on your right. Continue through the reserve to the carpark.
Carpark: Run to the end, then re-enter Tainui Reserve.
First fork: Turn right and head up the gentle slope along the wide path.
Hill climb: Take a hard left, then climb the hill. Follow the path until you reach the narrow zig-zag trail, where a marshal will guide you down.
Bottom of zig zag: Turn hard left onto the wide trail.
Wooden bridge: Continue until you reach the marked wooden bridge. Cross right over it.
Trail path: Take a hard left and follow the main trail. At the fork near a small wooden bridge, head left and down the hill.
Stream edge: Veer right so the stream is back on your left. Follow this path to the Tainui Reserve gate.
Exit reserve: Cross Tanner Street when directed by a marshal.
Joll Road: Follow the footpath up Joll Road to Christie Crescent.
Christie Crescent: Cross when directed by a marshal.
Roundabout: Cross both roads when directed, then follow the Campbell Street footpath.
Finish: Turn left at the first school driveway, and finish on the school field, greeted by the cheering crowd!
Stay alert and follow marshal instructions for safety. Good luck and have fun!
TE MATA PEAK TRAIL
8am walk start, Havelock North Primary.
9am run start, Havelock North Primary.
Start at Havelock North Primary sports field.
Run through the school to Campbell Street and turn right towards the Joll Road roundabout.
Run around the roundabout anti-clockwise and then run up Joll Road, on the right hand side footpath.
Cross over Christie Crescent safely (marshal present) and all the way to Tanner Street.
Cross Tanner Street at the end of Joll Road (marshal present) and head into Keith Sands Grove then enter Tainui Reserve.
Once in Tainui Reserve, run all the way through the wide open grass area with the stream on your right and into the far end carpark. Go through the carpark and then through the gate into Tainui Reserve proper, (with Glenpark Place on right shoulder) - marshal present.
Continue into Tainui Reserve, turning right at the first fork.
Run straight up the gentle rise along the wide path, then turn hard left and begin climbing the steps.
At the top of the steps turn hard right, and continue rising up along the ridge path.
Follow the path, winding up and down until it reaches a fork in the path (there will be a marshal in place) – take the RIGHT path through the ‘kissing gate’ towards Hikanui Drive.
Exit the reserve and cross over Hikanui Drive – TAKE CARE & watch for traffic – marshal present.
Head down pathway (at back of houses) dropping down to Tauroa Road.
Cross Tauroa Road – TAKE CARE as roads are not closed - and follow Tauroa Road all the way until the the Tauroa Road / Chambers Walk Carpark. (There is a water fountain here on the right hand side). WELCOME TO TE MATA PEAK PARK!
Follow Chambers Walk track into the park & turn hard right on the third track to your right (the one after the Giant Redwoods turn). Marshal in place.
Follow this zig zag path until you reach the fence line at the top & run over the cattle stop or through the gate and take the track leading up the hill to your immediate left. There are some new steps in place to help your climb out!
Follow this paddock track until you come to a well-marked fork in the path, take the right hand path that leads up the incline and onto Windy Ridge rather than around the base of the hill.
Follow this ridge-line path until you reach the road nearly at the top of the Peak.
You’re now on Te Mata Peak Road. A marshal will assist with crossing the road as its a blind corner & climb the hill to the trig station (where you must run over the timing mats to complete the course). There will also be an aid station here with water!
Start heading home!
Run down Te Mata Peak on the OFF ROAD track that winds its way down towards the car park overlooking Craggy Range Winery. Te Mata Peak Road will be on your left shoulder.
Cross the road before the carpark when the safety warden tells you – TAKE CARE! (there is also a water fountain right here if you need it). Run through the gully, through Webs Bush, until you reach the top of the baby redwoods, returning to the Tauroa Road / Chambers Walk carpark, passing the baby redwoods on your right shoulder.
Return along Tauroa Road as before and up behind the houses to Hikanui Drive. TAKE CARE on road crossings.
Once in the Tainui Reserve and through the ‘kissing gate’, turn left after the kissing gate (DO NOT GO STRAIGHT ON THROUGH HIKANUI PA).
Follow the same trail that you came up until you reach the marshal who will direct you down the zig zag track – this is where you join the Tainui trail so WATCH FOR CHILDREN!
Once at the bottom of the zig zag track turn hard left onto the wide trail and carry on along this trail, DO NOT TURN RIGHT OVER BRIDGE WITH THE TAINUI TRAIL!
Continue along the wide track until you are back at the fork where you will drop down with the small stream on your left shoulder. Follow this creek path back towards the Tainui Reserve – WATCH FOR CHILDREN STARTING at 10am.
Run to the end of the Tainui Reserve, through the gate, keeping on the grass and runners track away from cars.
Cross Tanner Street on to Joll Road, over Christie Crescent & through to the Campbell Road roundabout (follow marshals instructions and watch for any vehicles).
Run around the roundabout following the marshals directions, returning to school along the Campbell Street footpath.
Turn left at the first school driveway, around the amphitheatre and down to the school field through the finish line to the cheering crowd!