Competitor Information

Registration is open on the day, at Puketapu School – in the school hall.

Registration is open from 2.30pm and closes at 5.20pm.

If you ordered Puketapu Night Run Gear or Ledlenser Headlamps, these will be available for collection at registration.

Buses begin departing Puketapu School from 5:45pm. Please make sure you’re on the right one (see table below):

A race briefing will be delivered at each remote start location on bus arrival – please stay together when you get there. Full Loop & Relay Leg 1 runners, your briefing is at school at 5:55pm.

Fun Run runners: we’ll have over 400 of you at the Lennox Park start! Please self-seed – faster runners toward the front, slower toward the back. The trail is narrow, but things thin out quickly. Please be patient off the start line.

Relay runners, you can choose the order you want to run in, and there is no need to let us know at registration; your bibs will pick up your order as you cross the timing system.

Mandatory Gear / Information 

The following gear is required to participate. Checks are conducted at registration – if you don’t have these, you won’t be permitted to start:

• Functioning headtorch – Mandatory for all participants. No headtorch = no start. Lights must be switched ON and visible at all times on any road section. Bring spare batteries if you have them – we’ll have a limited supply for emergencies but please don’t rely on this.
• Emergency contact – provided at registration. Please make sure your details are current.

Strongly Recommended Gear 

• Warm/windproof layer – we encourage runners to layer up and carry a windproof layer. July temperatures in Puketapu are typically 4–10°C, and conditions can feel significantly colder once you stop moving.
• Hydration / Food – our 6K Fun Run transition will operate an aide station with water available for 17K and 11K runners. We will also have a small selection of food (lollies, chips). Please do not rely on the availability of these for your race nutrition.

Leaving gear at Race HQ – there will be an allocated space outside one of the nearby classrooms for gear storage (and will be watched over). No gear is to be left in the school hall, to reduce congestion.

The 2026 course runs in a CLOCKWISE loop – this is a change from previous years. Please follow course markings and marshal directions at all times. Almost the entire course follows limestone trails along the Tutaekuri River.

Road sections

• Full Loop & Relay Leg 1 runners will run briefly on Puketapu Road from the school to just past the Dartmoor Road turnoff at the start. One lane is closed and a lead vehicle will escort you. A marshal will then direct you onto the limestone trail from there. You will continue on the lime on the left hand side of Puketapu Road before being directed by traffic management to cross Puketapu Road so you can join the main river trail. Please only cross the road when/where you instructed to do so, and you must stop if directed to do so by our traffic management team.
• All runners (except Relay Legs 1 & 2) will cross Puketapu Road at the Puketapu Rd x Dartmoor Rd intersection as part of the finish approach. Please stick to the pathway until you reach the Puketapu Rd x Dartmoor Rd intersection where you will be directed to cross by our traffic management team. Do not drop down and run along Dartmoor Road in front of the dairy and pub. You must stop if directed to do so by traffic management. Once you have crossed Puketapu Road, please proceed along the footpath and then inside the coned area until you reach the finish chute, up the school driveway.

Bridges

• Vicarage Road / Puketapu Bridge: ALL runners must use the PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY. Do not use the vehicle lanes. A marshal is stationed here for the full event.
• Waiohiki / Redclyffe Bridge: use the pedestrian clip-on walkway and follow marshal directions.

You must follow all traffic management and marshal instructions. Failure to do so may result in disqualification from the event

Trail etiquette: keep left on the trail. Faster runners pass on the right. If you’re approaching slower runners from behind, a friendly call-out is always appreciated.

The limestone trail can be very slippery in wet conditions. Adjust your pace accordingly.

• All participants will receive a race bib. This must be worn on your front, and be visible, for the duration of the event.
• Your race bib will have a timing chip attached to it. To ensure our timing readers pick you up, it is important you do not fold or alter your race bib. Also note the point above re your bib remaining visible at all times, this will help ensure your time is picked up at the finish line.
• For relay runners, there will be dedicated relay changeover areas at Redclyffe Transfer Station (for leg 1 runners tagging their leg 2 runner) and at Lennox Park (for leg 2 runners tagging their leg 3 relay runners). These areas will be signposted and marked with cones. If you are relay runner, please use these areas, tag your next runner, and then ensure your bib number is recorded by our timing teams located at each of these points. Each relay runner has a unique bib/timing chip, you do not need to pass anything to your next runner, simply tagging them is all that is required for them to start their leg.
• Your bib has a burger symbol on it — the kitchen team will cross this off when you collect your post-run meal. Don’t lose your bib!
• Your bib may also come in handy on the Saturday or Sunday immediately after the race thanks to our good friends at Shed 530. They are offering free fries with any drink or meal purchase on Saturday 1 August or Sunday 2 August, simply show them your race bib to make the most of this great offer. 

This is a night run and safety is our top priority. Marshals are stationed at all key junctions, road crossings, and bridges for the full event duration. First aid is provided by Medics on Scene, based at Puketapu School.

Emergency stop signal: if, in the unlikely event, we need to stop the event during the race, a marshal will direct you to stop and congregate with them. Please act on this instruction without question.

If you see a runner in distress: please stop and check on them. If they need attention please use other runners to make contact with a marshall. We know many of you will be racing hard – we genuinely appreciate you looking out for your fellow runners. Marshals are on course but you may reach someone first.

If you need to withdraw (DNF): approach any marshal, give them your bib number, and they’ll arrange to get you back to school. Please do not walk back alone.

Medical emergency: call 111. Marshals know their GPS location and can relay it to emergency services.

• • For those runners finishing at school (full distance solo, fun run and leg 3 relay runners), head straight to the kitchen team in the Puketapu School hall for your free burger or sausage – the burger symbol on your bib gets crossed off when you collect it.
  • For the leg 1 and 2 relay runners, finishing at Redclyffe Transfer Station and Lennox Park respectively, we will have transport for you back to Puketapu School so you can get your burger or sausage. Please note, there may be some short delays while we wait to bring a whole load of runners back to school, but you shouldnt have to wait long
  • Help yourself to complimentary Picky juice. Tea, coffee and hot chocolate are available to purchase.
  • Puketapu School will have home baking available courtesy of our amazing parents.
  • Prize Giving – there will be awards for our top three runners across each distance and category. This will take place in the school hall, approximately 15–20 minutes after the final third-place category finisher crosses the line. All are welcome!
  • There’s a PNR photo backdrop set up in the hall – please tag us on social media when you post your photos.

  And to round out the night:

  • Head to the Puketapu Pub for a post-race celebratory drink – well earned.
  • Shed 530 is offering free fries with any drink or meal purchase on Saturday or Sunday. Just bring your bib.
  • Results will be posted to the PNR Facebook page as soon as they’re available.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

None of this would happen without the generous support of our sponsors. A huge thank you to our naming sponsors Ledlenser NZ, Brayden Coldicutt Harcourts, Ocean Orthodontics, our Bridge and Lighting sponsor Hawke’s Bay Urology and to all of our community sponsors. Please check our social media for the full list and support them where you can.