The Pillar to Pou event features a scenic loop course along the Taupō lakefront. This endurance challenge allows participants to complete as many 7.3km laps as possible within a six-hour timeframe. The route begins at the Two Mile Bay Sailing Club and extends to Te Ātea, where participants can admire the impressive carved pou that mark this area, before returning along the same path. This path, known as Taupō’s Great Lake Pathway, offers stunning views of the lake and the encircling mountains, enriching the running experience with its natural beauty.
Runners can choose to enter individually or as part of a relay team with up to six members, making it a flexible event for various levels of runners and walkers. Additionally, the event fosters a family-friendly atmosphere with a special race for children the day before the main event. This allows young participants, aged 4 to 15, to experience the event on a tailored course that offers full and reduced distance options to accommodate different age groups. Children ten years and under have the option of running with an adult, making it an inclusive, community-oriented event.
