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Running Kiwi Style- Running Routes in New Zealand?

Through a series of circumstances and in the true mysterious way of the universe, I have been given a round-trip plane ticket to New Zealand.

Now, this ticket is of particular significance since there has not been a time in more than 15 years in which I was so completely and thoroughly unencumbered by life as I am now...I can go for weeks and there's no one and nothing to stop me. I sent it up to the universe so many times (I think I even wrote it here in Traxee) that if I could, I would chase summer around the globe and never be cold. Long days and mild nights forever...like that old 70s surfing movie, Endless Summer. You see, in New Zealand it's July.

Immediately I began searching for running routes in mid-Island...and I did find a couple of interesting 6-milers in and around the area in which I will be staying; but I'm wondering if any of you New Zealanders out there (there are several of you among Traxee's numbers) can provide me with some resources other than Map My Run and Map My Fitness that might provide me with some wonderful routes to try whilst I am there. I see that there is a Harriers group in Wellington-- but I'm not quite sure if I'm up for that (if you know what I mean ;-)

Currently 2.0/5 Stars.

Tags: running while on vacation, new zealand running, travel running

Posted by: bmoore on Jan 09, 2010 | Comments: 2 | Visits: 863 | Posted in: Spirit, Train

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Hi don't know if you've already visited NZ (if so, sorry I'm late!), but if not I can give you some tips about running in Wellington. One of the standard routes for most is "around the bays"; pretty much the only way you guarantee a flat run in Wellington and can do any distance you want as a full circuit is around 25 miles. Aside from distance the main decision is whether to deal with the headwind on the way out or back. Mount Victoria, a hill sitting above the harbour, provides alot of varied tracks for hill running and is wonderfully peaceful during the day. You'll even pass some of the Lord of the Rings filming sites up there. If you are heading up the coast towards Kapiti there loads of paths and trackways for running, as well as road routes. One thing to beware of - the roads and pavements seem to often have a quite steep berm and can be quite narrow. happy running! S

Posted by: svidler on Apr 19, 2010 at 01:20 AM

When I was down in New Zealand on more of a self quest than anything else, I wasn't a runner. However, I did keep my eye on the places that looked spectacular to run in. If you're going to be on the south island there are plenty of trails in the hills and maps can be acquired really anywhere and are well marked. I found running through the streets on my trip to Ireland was the best way to seek out sights and get a feel for the vibe of the region I was in. Of course, anywhere you end up going in NZ will be fantastic. I was never disappointed with the view, even when it was raining! Have a great trip!

Posted by: kkels on Mar 06, 2010 at 09:32 PM