Hātea Grand Prix Series Race 3

The Hātea Grand Prix features a series of fun run/walk events in Whangarei, with the third race taking place on 25 February 2026.

Starting from the Tikipunga football club carpark, participants navigate through the Tikipunga Sports Park, running on grass before picking up a track that runs alongside the Hātea River. The course transitions into the Waitaua Stream and leads to Vinegar Hill Road, where runners turn around to retrace their steps back to the start. The route is lined with trees, offering shade and a relatively flat terrain, making it suitable for a summer evening outing.

Registration opens at 5:30 PM, with the race commencing at 6 PM. This event is timed, and participants can earn points in their respective divisions throughout the series, incentivizing personal bests with bonus points.

Hātea Run members can participate for free, while non-members are encouraged to contribute a $5 koha. The atmosphere of community engagement is notable, as local runners come together to enjoy the scenic course and support one another.