Sunday 13 December 2026
Waitomo Triathlon Festival
Christchurch, Lake Rua, Harewood
The race
About this course
The Waitomo Triathlon Festival features a fresh water swim, followed by a flat and fast bike course and concludes with a scenic trail run. Established in 2010, this event offers a welcoming atmosphere suitable for both newcomers and seasoned athletes. The courses are designed to be spectator-friendly, allowing for easy viewing and support from friends and family. The setting at Lake Rua in Harewood, Christchurch, provides a safe environment for participants, enhancing the festival-like experience of the event. The triathlon includes various formats catering to different age groups and skill levels, ensuring inclusivity. Additionally, the event also offers duathlon and aquabike options for those who prefer alternative multisport challenges. The community involvement and scenic landscapes of Lake Rua contribute to a unique and memorable race experience.
| Category | Event | Distances | Age Group |
|---|---|---|---|
| Triathlon | Kids Triathlon | 50m wade + 2K bike + 1K run | 5–9 yrs |
| Triathlon | Try A Tri / Juniors | 150m swim + 10K bike + 1.7K run | Juniors |
| Triathlon | Classic Sprint | 750m swim + 15K bike + 5K run | All ages |
| Triathlon | Draft Legal Sprint | 750m swim + 20K bike + 5K run | All ages |
| Duathlon | Try A Du / Juniors | 1K run + 10K bike + 1.7K run | Juniors |
| Duathlon | Sprint Duathlon | 2.4K run + 15K bike + 5K run | All ages |
| Aquabike | Aquabike | 750m swim + 15K bike | All ages |
Pick your race
Distances
Draft Legal Sprint
- Swim 750 m
- Bike 20 km
- Run 5 km
Classic Sprint
- Swim 750 m
- Bike 15 km
- Run 5 km
Try A Tri / Juniors
- Swim 150 m
- Bike 10 km
- Run 1.7 km
Kids Triathlon - 5–9 yrs
- Swim 50 m
- Bike 2 km
- Run 1 km
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
54 Greywacke Road, Harewood, Christchurch 8051, 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 If a listing looks out of date, or you need exact start lines and course maps, check the official source or email [email protected].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 Waitomo Triathlon Festival.