Promotion for Discover Waitomo
Immerse the family in the stunning Waitomo scenery on the ultimate family underground and overground trail run adventure on Saturday 4th November 2023 with The Hits Waitomo Trail Run. Walk or run over 6 or 11 km while exploring a landscape that includes Waitomo’s caves, native bush, canyons and glowworms.
The Hits Waitomo Trail Run is an event that is the perfect family adventure. Imagine the joy of crossing the finish line with your family after making your way through some of New Zealand’s most iconic locations.
Just 2.5 hours from central Auckland, less than an hour from Hamilton, and under two hours from Rotorua and Taupō, The Hits Waitomo Trail Run ticks all the boxes for a fun family adventure.
Families who run (or walk) together have fun together
The Hits Waitomo Trail Run is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy some unbelievable scenery and unlock your family’s imagination. There are four distances available with the 6km and 11km options being offered especially with families in mind. Walkers and runners of all ages and abilities will love the breathtaking scenery.
If you haven’t done anything like this before, don’t worry – the 6km option is achievable for most ages and a great way to get the whole family involved to feel a sense of accomplishment.
Course details
The 6km course starts inside the Ruakuri Cave and then takes you up the spiral staircase and into the Ruakuri Reserve where you will pass underneath towering limestone formations, over bridges and under natural tunnels. Continue along the easy and flat Waitomo Trail to the finish line at the Waitomo Glowworm Visitors Centre. There is just one hill, so road (or trail) shoes are perfect. Strollers are not recommended.
The 11km option starts by traversing some of the most karst-rich landscapes in the world and includes an adventurous climb over some limestone rock, then on to some beautiful native bush and along the tops until the downhill run to the finish line. Trail shoes are recommended for this one.
There are aid stations along the way where you can refuel.
Book now
Early bird pricing is available until 31 August 2023. Standard pricing is from 1 September to 13 October 2023. Final release pricing is from 14 October to 3 November 2023. Family packages are available and booking is essential.
Short 6km course – ideal for younger kids and family participation
- Ruakuri Spiral to Glowworm Cave Visitor Centre course
- Family option (2 adults + 2 children)
- Early bird $140
- Standard $155
- Final release $185
- Add up to 2 additional children for $20 per child (max 6 in the group)
Medium 11km course – great for families with older primary school kids and teens
- Stubbs Farm course
- Family option (2 adults + 2 children)
- Early bird $185
- Standard $200
- Final release $260
- Add up to 2 additional children for $20 per child (max 6 in the group)
Terms and conditions apply. Refer to the website for details.
Make a weekend of it
Extend your stay and spend some time before or after The Hits Waitomo Trail Run to explore the area some more. Stay overnight in the Waitomo Homestead Cabins (next door to where you pick up your race bib and where you can get a mean pie) in the heart of Waitomo village. You’d be crazy not to stick around and check out unique local sights such as thundering Marakopa Falls just up the road, and the breathtaking Marakopa Beach a little further.
No visit to this fascinating region is complete without immersing yourself in a magical underground world at Discover Waitomo.
Discover an ancient world 30 million years in the making at the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Admire the stunning, delicate cave formations and take a boat ride silently through the starry wonderland of the glowworm grotto.
At the Ruakuri Cave you can get right up close to glowworms, marvel at the softly folding shawl-like limestone formations and crystal tapestries while listening to the distant thunder of subterranean waterfalls.
Stroll through an enchanted forest to discover the hidden entrance into the magical Aranui Cave. Your guide will take you along safe boardwalks into narrow chambers where magnificent limestone formations and the pale brown, pink and white shades of the huge stalactites will enchant and delight.
Create some magical family memories of the Waitomo Trail Run and tick one off your bucket list as you complete the course with your family – what a fantastic thing to do!
Keep up with the latest info on The Hits Waitomo Trail Run on social media:
This article was written with information supplied by Discover Waitomo.
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