Sunday 18 October 2026
Kelly’s Canter
Palmerston, Palmerston
The race
About this course
This event, now in its 55th year, offers a family-friendly opportunity to engage in trail running and walking in a scenic environment. Participants will ascend Puketapu Hill, where they can take in sweeping views of the surrounding landscape.
The event honors Albert Kelly, a former constable of the Palmerston police force, who famously made this daily trek during World War II to monitor for enemy ships. The atmosphere is community-oriented, with local support from the Lions Club of Palmerston, fostering a sense of camaraderie among participants.
Pick your race
Distances
4K run or walk
4km
What to expect
Race day conditions
Terrain and altitude come from the course. Weather is a ten-year average for this date, not a forecast.
Weather data by Open-Meteo(opens in a new tab).
Getting there
Event location
Palmerston, New ZealandGet directions(opens in a new tab)
From runners
What runners wish they’d known
Event details and map location come from public information on the official event website(opens in a new tab). If a listing looks out of date, or you need exact start lines and course maps, check the official source or email [email protected].
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Questions about this race?
Ask the NZ Running community about the course, parking, and what race day is like at Kelly’s Canter.