The racing stage is set, the weather forecast is… questionable, and the anticipation for this year’s winners is as strong as the Wellington wind.
Held as part of the Kaukau Skyline Traverse, this year’s Mountain Running championships showcase three championship races across iconic Wellington terrain. The Long Course covers 12.15 kilometres with 600 metres of ascent and is contested by Senior Men and Women, along with Masters Men 35+. The Medium Course spans 8.75 kilometres with 400 metres of climbing for Masters Men 50+, Masters Women 35+, and Under 20 Men. The Short Course is 5.75 kilometres with 220 metres of ascent for Masters Women 50+ and Under 20 Women.
All races start at the northern end of the Skyline Track and head south along the ridgeline, offering uninterrupted views across Wellington Harbour and beyond. Each course has its own turnaround point, with the Long Course adding an extra loop to deepen the challenge beyond Mt Kaukau.
The Senior Women’s field is exceptionally deep with talent this year, even with the notable absence of last years Mountain Champ, Maia Flint. Local Wellington runner Andrea Peat (WHAC) returns after a bronze medal at the 2024 national championships and will be aiming to reclaim a podium spot. Peat also represented New Zealand at the 2025 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Canfranc, Spain.
She will be joined by her World Championships teammates Jess McNeily (Team Speedplay), a 2025 Under 20 representative and silver medallist at last year’s junior championships, Mel Brandon (Scottish), the 2025 Faultline 100km winner, who was 7th in the Long Trail race at WTMRC 2026, and Karen Murphy (Team Speedplay), who claimed an impressive fourth place in the Masters category.
Another name to keep watch for will be Sabrina Grogan. A New Zealand representative at the 2019 and 2023 World Mountain Running Championships, she arrives with 4 national titles and a bronze to her name.
Adding further strength to the field is Claudia Sole (Leith), who recently placed fourth at the 3 Peaks 26-kilometre race in Dunedin, finishing less than a minute shy of the podium. Odette Jennings (TTT), Gabi Newman (Whippets), and Issy Combes (WHAC) could also be ones to watch on the technical Skyline terrain.
The Senior Men’s field is equally stacked with talent and form. Cameron Swales (Whippets) arrives in outstanding shape after consecutive podiums at The Kepler, The Goat, and the Motatapu Miners Trail. He will start as one of the clear favourites. Looking to defend his title credentials is Jono Jackson, last year’s bronze medalist and the 2021 national mountain running champion, who will be eager to reclaim gold.
Throwing a spanner (or perhaps a hammer) into the mix is late entry Toby Gualter. Fresh off a dominant weekend in Christchurch, Gualter arrives as the newly crowned Half Marathon National Champion, adding yet another accolade to an already impressive résumé. The question now is whether the advantage of racing on home terrain will be enough to keep his legs responsive after such a monster effort in Christchurch.
Strong international experience will come from World Championships representatives Dwight Grieve (Fiordland), Eric Speakman (VUWAC) and Benjamin Rickery (ACA), all bringing proven skill to the Wellington hills. Also stepping into the Senior ranks for the first time is Max Doherty (Olympic), last year’s Junior Mountain Running champion. The Wellington local is well known for his consistent victories and will relish racing on home trails.
Rounding out the contenders is Tim Jorgensen, who finished third behind Swales at the recent Miners Trail, 1st at the 3 peaks 26k and placed second at the 2025 Queenstown Marathon. He is joined by Wellington Scottish Runners Joel Carman and Matt Adams, who claimed silver and bronze respectively at the 2026 NZ Short Trail Champs just last month and arrive with a strong collection of other trail-related achievements.
Racing gets underway in Wellington from 11 am. Follow along with the race results here.
Entries to the 2026 NZ Mountain Running Championships are still open. You can enter here.
