Waitomo Trail Run

About the Event

The Hits Waitomo Trail Run 2026 is a unique "underground and overground" endurance event scheduled for Saturday, April 18, 2026, in the Waikato region of New Zealand’s North Island. Famous for its subterranean segments, the race takes participants through a surreal landscape of limestone caves, glowworm-lit tunnels, native bush, and rugged farmland. The event is widely recognized for featuring scenery so striking that filmmaker Sir Peter Jackson famously remarked it was "way too pretty for The Hobbit."

Course Distance	Avg. Completion Time	Entry Requirements
35km: Super Long	6.5 Hours	Ages 16+; high fitness level required
23km: Long Course	5.5 Hours	Ages 14+; prior trail experience
11km: Stubbs Farm	2.5 Hours	Ages 12+; run or walk options
5km: Ruakuri	1.0 Hour	Ages 5+; starts inside Ruakuri Cave

Waitomo is a rural hub in the King Country, part of the Waitomo District, which has a population of approximately 9,650 residents. The area is a world-renowned tourism destination primarily due to its extensive cave systems. The demographic profile of the Waitomo District is approximately 55.4% European (Pākehā) and 44.1% Māori, reflecting a much higher indigenous population than the national average. The median annual household income for the district is roughly $72,000 NZD. Geographically, the race traverses karst topography characterized by sinkholes and dramatic rock formations. The climate in mid-April is typically mild but damp; average temperatures range from a low of 9°C (48°F) to a high of 18°C (64°F). Because parts of the course occur inside caves, runners experience a constant subterranean temperature of roughly 12°C to 14°C regardless of outside conditions.

The event is designed to be inclusive, offering everything from a child-friendly 5km cave run to a technical 35km "Super Long" course that finishes at the Waitomo Glowworm Visitors Centre. Participants on the 23km and 35km courses start at the Mangapohue Natural Tunnel, a massive limestone archway. Registration is currently open through the official event website. For those staying in the area, the event organizers recommend exploring the local cave tours and the Ruakuri Reserve tracks. For specific race safety rules or information regarding the 2025 results for pacing comparisons, participants can visit the Waitomo Trail Run help and contact page.

Races Offered

35 km

Apr 18, 2026

straighten

Distance — 35K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

07:30

sell

$184.00

23 km

Apr 18, 2026

straighten

Distance — 23K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

08:30

sell

$150.00

11 km

Apr 18, 2026

straighten

Distance — 11K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

10:00

sell

$104.00

5 km

Apr 18, 2026

straighten

Distance — 5K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

10:00

sell

$64.00

Weather Overview

These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for April in Waitomo Caves.

Temp (°C)

Feels Like (°C)

thermostat 11.5° / 18.8°

wb_sunny 9.5° / 17.0°

Wind (km/h)

Humidity (%)

air 12.9 /

water_drop 83.5%

Temp (°C)

Feels Like (°C)

Wind (km/h)

Humidity (%)

thermostat 11.5° / 18.8°

wb_sunny 9.5° / 17.0°

air 12.9 km/h

water_drop 83.5%

About Waitomo Caves

Learn more about the host city, Waitomo Caves.

Waitomo, officially Waitomo Caves, is a rural community in the King Country region of New Zealand's North Island. There are several solutional cave systems in the area around the village, which are popular tourist attractions. Restaurants and accommodation are centred in the village to serve visiting tourists.