King of the Mountain

One Morning. One Summit. Zero Fluff.

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One Morning.
One Summit.
Zero Fluff.

A Pāuanui summer ritual - heat rising, trail calling, summit waiting. Up, down, done.
Short on distance, heavy on effort.

  • 2 January 2026

  • 7.7km

  • 410m

Grassroots Grit

Local crew. Honest trails. No smoke. We keep it simple and sharp so the mountain can do the talking.

Short, Not Soft

7.7 km that burns twice its distance - all roots, stairs, and a salty slap from the coast.

Community First

Summer in Pāuanui hits different. The sun bites early, the trails wake fast, and the crew shows up smiling. Good times, clean lines, no nonsense.

This legendary event takes place every January as part of the Pāuanui Summer Series and is now proudly brought to you by No Code Events.

We’re stoked to keep the tradition alive — same mountain, same grit, just a fresh spark of No Code energy.

Event Info

The Course

Surf Club ➜ Summit ➜ Cave Bay ➜ South End ➜ Surf Club

Your journey starts at the Pāuanui Surf Club – grass underfoot, mountain ahead. The dunes lead you south before the trail kicks up the Summit Track. Crest the lookout, dive down into Cave Bay, skip across the boulders to Flat Rock, then slip through the bush to the South End Reserve. One last push along the dunes, and you’re home.

Course Details:

  • Terrain: Pohutukawa and bush-lined slopes – steep, rocky, and rooty from base to summit.
  • Marking: High-vis tape, arrows, and marshals at key points
  • Aid: Water-only tap at Event HQ (BYO bottle or cup)
View Course Map
Download GPX

Schedule & Key Times

Race Morning

  • 6:00am – Bib and transponder pickup opens at Event HQ (Surf Club)
  • 7:30am – Registration Closes
  • 7:50am – Karakia & race briefing
  • 8:00am – Race Start
  • 8:45am – First finishers expected
  • 11:00am – Course closes
  • 12:30pm – Prizegiving at the Pāuanui Club

Event Details

  • Parking: Inside the Pāuanui Surf Club Reserve
  • Toilets: Public facilities at the Surf Club and on course at the South End Reserve
  • Whānau: ‘Cheer Zones’ at the South End Reserve and Finish Chute
  • Timing: Professional ‘shoe chip’ timing

What You Need to Know

The Cost

  • Adults – $50
  • Under 16 – $30

The Crown

  • Every finisher scores a medal – your slice of the mountain.
  • Age-group winners (U16, 16 – 29, 30 – 39, 40 – 49, 50 – 59, 60+) take home extra hardware, and our overall King and Queen earn a hand-carved native timber trophy. Real wood, real effort, real pride.

Good Humans Policy

Respect the whenua, other trail users, and volunteers. Pack out what you pack in. Soak up the stoke.

Crew Love

Every marshal, timer, and tap-filler out there is local. Give them a grin, a thanks, or a high-five – they make the day happen.

Come Ready

This is a trail run, not a stroll – bring what you need, wear what works, and respect the terrain.

FAQ

What time is the start?

8:00am sharp after a short briefing. Allow time for bib pickup and a warm-up jog.

Are there cut-offs?

The course closes at 11:00 am.

Can I run with my dog?

Sorry — no dogs on DOC tracks during the event.

Is there water on course?

Water-only at Event HQ. Bring your own bottle or hydration pack.

Can I pick up my friend’s or whānau member’s race bib?

Absolutely – just make sure you know their name and entry details. We’re all about keeping it easy.

Will there be photos?

Yep – we’ll have a few local photographers out on course. Keep an eye on socials post-race for links and tags.

Will there be coffee?

Heck yes. The hot brews will be frothing from first light – perfect for spectators, runners, and those who swear they’re “just here for moral support”.

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