Run the Hutt River Trail – Ian Priest Memorial Ultra & Trail Events

Ultramarathon · Marathon · Half Marathon · 10K
9th January 2027 – From the Remutaka Mountains to Wellington Harbour

Celebrate Adventure. Honour Legacy.


Join us for the Ian Priest Memorial Hutt River Trail Events.
Run or walk an unforgettable journey through historic rail trails, riverbanks, tunnels, and estuaries.

Whether you’re chasing an ultramarathon challenge or a family 10K, there’s something for everyone.

What runners say about the event

I have done the event every year (2026 will be my 19th) and encourage everyone

I know to do it as it’s such a great introduction to ultras and an awesome little event.

This is a beautiful running event.

Been a long time between drinks! Great scenic PUNISHMENT to dust off the cobwebs!

Long day, left home at midnight, running (shuffling) on fumes from the naughty 40s… but man I’ve missed the hurt locker 🤪

Event Options

Choose Your Distance

Ultra Marathon (60km) – Cross Creek to Petone via the Remutaka Rail Trail and Marathon course. Start: 6:30am.

Marathon (42.2km) – Kaitoke to Petone along riverside trails and historic tracks. Start: 7:30am / 8:30am.

Half Marathon (21.1km) – Moonshine Park to Petone. Start: 10:30am.

10K Fun Run/Walk – Around McEwan Park & Hutt River Estuary. Start: 12:00pm.

👉 All events finish at McEwan Park, Petone – with music, and a celebration on the foreshore!

Highlights of the Course

🌄 Scenic off-road trails from mountains to sea

🚂 Historic Rimutaka Rail Trail tunnels & zigzags

🌿 Bush tracks, riverbanks, and estuary paths

🎽 Flat, fast sections balanced with trail adventure

🏅 Post-race celebration

Ian Priest was an enthusiastic administrator and supporter of athletic activities for most of his life, serving in many rolls, including President, in the Athletics Wellington Cross country & Road committee, as well as stints with Athletics NZ. He had life membership of Athletics Wellington, Aurora Harriers and no doubt Hutt Valley Presbyterian Harriers. His athletic interests had their roots in Hawkes Bay. Ian had a bent toward dreaming up new events (the Hutt River Trail Events), organisation improvements and supporting other events. His presidentual duties covered Aurora Harriers, and in his last months, Petone Lions. Opera was a strong part of his social life.

The pinnacle of Ian's organisational ability was the NZ Mountain Running Champs on Colonial Knob in Porirua City on the 16th April, 2011. Unfortunately Ian passed away three days before the running of the races.

Event Information

Cut-off time: 3pm for all events

Aid stations: Available along the course from 23km (Ultra) and regularly for Marathon/Half/10K

Safety: Well-marked trails with marshals and support crew

FAQ

How do I get to the start? Shuttles available for Ultra, Half & Marathon starts.

Shuttles leave from the finish at McEwan Park, Petone

Ultra Marathon - 5.00am Petone to Cross Creek

Slow Marathon runners - 6.30am Petone to Kaitoki Go-kart

Fast Marathon runners - 7.30am Petone to Kaitoki Go-kart

Half Marathon runners - 9.30am Petone to Moonshine Park

Do I need trail shoes? Trail shoes are recommended but not required.

Is the event walker-friendly? Yes! The Half Marathon and 10K are open to walkers.

Time of Start

Ultra Marathon Cross Creek 6.30am

Marathon (finishing longer than 5 hours) Kaitoke 7.30am

Marathon (finishing under 5 hours) Kaitoke 8.30am

Half Marathon Moonshine Road 10.30am

10km Fun Run/Walk McEwen Park, Petone 12.00pm

Course: Note the courses may change due to the ongoing work on the River Trail

These are well marked off-road events, over a variety of surfaces including: bush tracks, grass, gravel and

sealed footpaths, and some unsealed vehicle tracks. There is approximately 5Km of public road in the early part of the Marathon course.

All of the course is shared with other Users, such as runners, walkers, trampers, cyclists and – in some places – motor vehicles.

Unusual features include: Tunnels, stiles, gateways and zigzags, and one flight of steps (up).

The majority of the course, including all of the Half Marathon and 10Km, is flat, with some undulations over obstacles such as stop banks, etc.. The first 5Km of the Marathon has some hills – mostly down. Overall, the Marathon course loses some 200 – 300 metres of elevation from start to finish.

The first 18Km of the Ultra Marathon follows the historic Remutaka Incline Rail Trail – approx. 7Km uphill to start with.