The 65km WUU2K Ultra-Marathon
Saturday 18th July 2026 (rain back up 19th)
Entries will open for 2026 on
February 1st, 2026 at 0900
Please read the following details prior to entering at the bottom of this page
The entry Link will be active in January 2026. NOTE: ONLY 250 entries in each category for 2026
The WUU2K course starts at 6:00 am (Half an hour earlier than 2025) Woodmancote road, Khandallah, and traverses the ridges of Wellington to finish at the iconic Mt Vic, just short of the lookout.
The race begins up Mt Kaukau which is a hard slog up before traversing along the tops of Skyline ridge to make your way up to the next point of Makara Peak. Runners head through the mountain bike trails until the exit at the carpark, to follow the road around to begin Salvation track, a meandering climb up to Wrights Hill lookout.
Once here runners follow the Sanctuary fence line all of the way until they jump the turnstyle at the Wind Turbine. From here they follow carparts to Barking Emu trail until they pass through the Tip Track, 45km runners head down the Tip Track here, 65km runners follow Red Rocks trail down to the South Coast. Here they run to Owhiro Bay, up Happy Valley road where they do an out-and-back of the Tip track, joining 45k runners as they head to Tawatawa reserve.
Runners head through Tawatawa, to Berhampore golf course and onto Mt Albert for a steep climb before hitting the Southern trails. Almost home as we head towards Mt Vic with some beautiful trails until the finish at the Velodrome
Overal VERT: 2600.
Estimated Aid Station distances:
Aid Station #1: 11.5km - Makara Road
Aid Station #2: Makara MB Carpark - 24km
Aid Station #3: Turbine - 31km (First cut at 12:15 pm)
Aid Station #4: Owhiro - 43km
Lower Tip Track Cut (2:30 pm): 46km
Aid Station#5: Tawatawa entrance - 54km (Final Cut at 3:45 pm)
Mt Albert (Minimal Station) - 59km
ESTIMATED AVERAGE FINISH TIME 45km: 6 - 7 hours/1-2 pm (Starts 7 am)
ESTIMATED AVERAGE FINISH TIME 65km: 8 - 9 hours/2-3 pm (Starts 6 am)
Compulsory Gear
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First-Aid Kit - Must be suitable to self-treat cuts/abrasions/sprains. (AIDE VOID kits have strapping tape included FYI) - WILL BE AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE AS YOU REGISTER. Please note that there will only be a limited amount for sale at Rego day. ORDER BEFORE RACE WEEKEND IF YOU NEED ONE!
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Strapping tape/Bandage: Suitable roll/length for strapping a sprained ankle if needed.
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Seam-sealed waterproof, and wind-proof jacket. Your jacket must also have a hood (MUST BE SEAM-SEALED. Borrow one from a friend if you don't want to buy one)
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Thermal long-sleeved top.
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Thermal leggings (SKINS don't count. THERMAL or BASE LAYER please)
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Beanie/warm hat (Must be insulating - Polypro/Merino etc)
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Whistle
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Thermal/Polypro Gloves (Must be insulating)
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Emergency Bag/Blanket
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Race vest/Pack with bladder/bottles (or both)
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Water (1-2 L carrying capacity - DO NOT need to bring water to gear check). Note: There are NO CUPS AT ALL AID STATIONS. Please bring a vessel to drink out of!
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Food/snacks (There will be food and snacks at all aid stations also, so more for back up/your own nutritional needs - not required to show for gear check)
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Headlight (Must be kept on you for the entirety of the event in case you finish in the dark)
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Waterproof pants are recommended but not compulsory. If it's wet, you may want them, especially those on the longer courses!
PLEASE NOTE: If the weather is looking good on race day, we MAY minimise the compulsory gear. Please still bring everything to gear check though. We will advise you at rego day.
ITEMS NOT ALLOWED: Headphones, AND Portable speakers are not allowed on course. This is for your own safety and the safety of others, plus we have multiple road crossings where you need to be able to hear marshal instructions.
NOTE: Bone-conducting headphones are ALLOWED as these allow you to hear what's going on around you
Must be thermal/Insulating. Polypro/Base Layer. Available at all outdoors stores. Just ask!
Must be Thermal/Insulating. Base Layer/Polyprop. Available at all outdoors stores.
May not need for 45km but some will do! Use for the first part, or hold on if you may need it later in the day. It gets dark EARLY!
MUST be thermal/insulating. Polypro/Merino/Possum. If it gets icy out, make sure they work!
Must be enough for strapping up sprains if you injure yourself and need to get to the next Aid Station.
Can be either a bag or a blanket. Avaialble from all outdoors stores
Use front flasks if you can as we have NO CUPS at our aid stations. You've been told.
In case it rains, and blows a gale you will be happy you have it. MUST be seam sealed/waterproof/windproof and have a hood
Self-explanatory
You'll need a thermal/insulating hat. Available at all outdoors stores. Must be able to keep your head warm/insulated if you get stuck on course
Comes on most race packs these days
Must have all the essentials. Available online or at all outdoors stores. Also available via your WUU registration. Limited available at race rego
01 - Registration Day
Friday 17th July, Wellington High School 12-7pm
Where: Wellington High School
249 Taranaki Street, Mt Cook
Bring your Comp Gear to be checked, a valid I.D so we know it's you, some money for race merch if you want some, and some smiles!
DROP BAGS - Will be provided for you at race rego day, colour-matched to your chosen category. These will be collected race day morning, and taken to race finish for you.
02 - Race Briefing
Your online race briefing document
This is an online document which will be sent out 2 weeks prior to the race. It is COMPULSORY to read for all runners. It has ALL race weekend information and is pivotal to you understanding the event.
READ IT!
03 - Race Day: Sat 18th July
65km Start time: 6:00 am (change from 2025)
Race Briefing: 5:45 am
Rain-Day Back-up: Sunday 19th
Make sure you are at your start line on time please. If you can not make race registration day Friday, you can arrive early to sign in, and gear check race day. This is ONLY if you can not get to Rego day due to travel issues.
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04 - Cut-Off Times
They are strict, but reachable as long as you are trained for the trails and conditions on the day (could be wet, slippery, at times unforgiving!).
You need to keep moving at a steady pace, though!
All runner MUST be through these points by the following times:
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WIND TURBINE AID STATION: 12:15 pm 65k (6 Hours 15 minutes, 31km). This allows 45 minutes more than 2025, but 15 minutes less to get to the next cut (14km est but a lot of downhill/flat)
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LOWER TIP TRACK : 2.30 PM
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TAWATAWA AID STATION: 3.45 PM
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If you do not meet these times, your race will finish. Please hand in your timing tag, and a vehicle will bring you to race HQ.
05 - Accommodation
Stay near the CBD if possible
Coming from out of town? Please make sure you pre-book accommodation. Central Wellington is a good bet. Victoria Court Motel is close to Waitoa after party venue FYI
06 - Training/Coaching Plans
Life in motion run club will be structuring training plans for the WUU/WAI events. Please contact Eve @L.I.M for details.
Please make sure you are sufficiently trained for all of the WUU/WAI events!
07 - Fundraise as you train
We've partnered up once more with Grassrootz NZ to help you raise funds as you train! It's a great way to get friends and Whanau to support you in your running goals!
08 - Pacers
Only for the 65km category
Pacers need to register online via eventplus (entry button below) and can join their runner from Owhiro Bay Aid Station for the last 18km, OR Tawatawa Aid Station for the last 10km. Pacers can in no way carry ANY of their runners belongings, and can only offer emotional support for those last tough 18km. Pacers must carry their own gear. There is no compulsory gear for pacers - just be prepared for the conditions on the day!
Pacers do not need to come to rego. Their runner can collect their bib for them if it's easier.
07 - Fundraise as you train
We've partnered up once more with Grassrootz NZ to help you raise funds as you train! It's a great way to get friends and Whanau to support you in your running goals!