Canterbury Region
Trail Running Calendar Canterbury Region 2026-2027
Explore the best trail runs in Canterbury Region for 2026-2027! Our updated list features 28 exciting trail runs across the region. Find your next trail run in Canterbury Region below and join the trail community at these great events!
September 2026
A community running and walking event in Kaikōura with half marathon, 12 km, 5 km and a Marafun on mixed trail and rural courses with mountain and peninsula views.
Backyard Ultra at Centennial Reserve, Timaru where runners repeat a 6.7056 km loop each hour until one runner completes the final loop alone.
A destination trail running weekend at Lake Tekapo on 19 September 2026 offering seven distances, scenic alpine-lake routes, an event village, and finisher medals.
October 2026
Off road walk and run in Bottle Lake Forest and Christchurch beaches on Sunday 4 October 2026. Multiple distances from a 2.5 km children's run to a full marathon; dog friendly and open to participants without dogs.
A five‑event spring rogaines series around the Port Hills with 2h, 1h and kids 1h options, team navigation on foot between checkpoints and a virtual participation alternative.
A multi-distance trail running event on the Port Hills and around Lyttelton Harbour, held Sunday 18 October 2026 as the 25th Crater Rim Ultra.
A five‑event spring rogaines series around the Port Hills with 2h, 1h and kids 1h options, team navigation on foot between checkpoints and a virtual participation alternative.
A fundraising running event in Kaikōura on 24 October 2026 offering 5 km, 10 km and 21 km distances; the full marathon is not offered in 2026.
A multi-event weekend in Twizel featuring canal kayak races, Dusky mountain bike distances and the Pyramid off-road run, with options to enter one event or complete all three.
A five‑event spring rogaines series around the Port Hills with 2h, 1h and kids 1h options, team navigation on foot between checkpoints and a virtual participation alternative.
Trail event at Staveley, Canterbury offering 42 km, 21 km, 10 km and 5 km courses over gravel, farm tracks and technical single track.
November 2026
A five‑event spring rogaines series around the Port Hills with 2h, 1h and kids 1h options, team navigation on foot between checkpoints and a virtual participation alternative.
A countryside rogaining event in Greta Valley offering 6h, 4h, 2h and family options where teams navigate by map and compass across farmland and bush, choosing strategic routes to visit scored checkpoints.
A five‑event spring rogaines series around the Port Hills with 2h, 1h and kids 1h options, team navigation on foot between checkpoints and a virtual participation alternative.
A community fundraising event in Tinwald combining mountain biking, running, walking and duathlon options on November 29, 2026.
December 2026
Valley Ultra on 12 December 2026 is an ultra running event in the Craigieburn Valley with three distances: 54 km, 24 km and 10 km, featuring routes that pass near and partly ascend Mt Cheeseman.
A rogaining fundraiser on the Port Hills, Christchurch offering 6 hour, 4 hour, 2 hour and family options. Teams navigate by map and compass across farmland and native forest with electronic punching and scored checkpoints.
January 2027
A trail ultramarathon on Banks Peninsula finishing at Halswell Quarry, offering 101 km, 53 km and a 15 km warm up with significant elevation.
A women only Frontyard Ultra at McLeans Forest on 16 January 2027 featuring repeated 6 km laps run on the hour. Runners self support from a personal aid area and the last runner to complete one more lap than others wins.
March 2027
Run Mt Hutt on Saturday 13 March 2027 features two out-and-back trail routes from Awa Awa Rata Reserve, ascending Mt Hutt road through native bush and alpine terrain with mountain views.