The quiet country roads between Feilding and Halcombe will roar to life this weekend as over 140 teams and more than 1,000 runners descend on the Manawatū for the 2025 Geneva Wellbeing NZ Road Relay Championships. With relay options ranging from 4 to 7 legs, the annual relay epic appeals to a wide range of clubs, age groups, and abilities, making it one of the most inclusive and exciting days on the national endurance calendar.
The seven-leg relay covers 66.11km, with leg distances ranging from 7.7 km to 12.5 km, while the six-leg relays span 35.5 km, featuring laps between 4.2 km and 7.4 km, offering a mix of rolling hills, fast flats, and tactical challenges. Whether you’re chasing national titles, club pride, or personal bests, the atmosphere promises to be electric from the first baton handoff to the final sprint into Halcombe.
Senior Men’s Race
Defending champions Whippets Running Project return with a powerhouse lineup featuring William Little, fresh off a sub-29-minute 10km at the Run Prix in Melbourne. He’s joined by Connor Melton, David Lee, Ronan Lee, Jack Paine, Toby Tasker, and Cameron Clark, forming a team with serious speed and relay experience. Their B team is also looking sharp and could cause a podium upset if the race opens up.
North Harbour Bays bring a squad rich in national titles and endurance pedigree. Former NZ Cross Country champions Matthew Taylor and Cameron Graves lead the charge, supported by Steven Langdon, James Matthews, Matthew Arnold, and Ben Otis. Jack Moody adds a unique edge as an Ironman expert, bringing unmatched stamina to the mix.
University of Canterbury arrive with marathon strength and tactical depth. Oska Baynes, the 2025 NZ Marathon Champion, anchors a team that includes Blair McWhirter, Andy Good, Ethan Smolej, Daniel Balchin, Chris Dryden, and Henry McMeeking.
Local favourites Feilding Moa will be racing on home turf and looking to make a statement. Their squad features George Varney, Samuel Stichbury, Isaac Murphy, Andre le Pine-Day, Damien Lardner, and Luke Scott. A standout is Benjamin Wall, who recently broke the four-minute barrier for the mile.
Senior Women’s Race
In the Senior Women’s race, North Harbour Bays are the defending champions and clear favourites. Their team is headlined by Laura Nagel, who made her black singlet debut at the 2025 World Indoor Championships. She’s joined by Amara Rae, Lucy Jacobs, Clara Lachurie, Olivia Gold, Holly Manning, and Brigid Dennehy, forming a squad with depth, experience, and top-end talent.
Wellington Harriers, runners-up in 2024, return with a strong lineup featuring Miranda Spencer, Esther George, Charlotte Carpenter, Kumiko Otani, Ella Creagh, Johanna Milius, and Margot Gibson. With a blend of youth and experience, they’ll be looking to go one better this year.
Whippets, who placed third in 2024, will be aiming to climb the podium again with a cohesive and competitive team. Their squad includes Tillie Hollyer, Saskia Cosgrove Drayton, Poppy Healy, Liberty McIntyre-Reet, Anna Bassett, Alyx Day, and Rosa Twyford, bringing plenty of relay experience.
Christchurch Avon brings a gritty and determined team to the start line, including Julie Gillespie, Poppy Lake, Rachel Baker, Lahana Reeves, Lucy Jurke, Maggie McInnes, and Tamara Reeves. With solid depth across all legs, Avon will be aiming to stay in the mix and strike if the opportunity arises.
Women’s U20
In the U20 grades, Auckland City Athletics (ACA) has once again entered three teams, aiming to replicate their dominant performance from previous years, where they swept the podium. Their A team is particularly formidable, featuring Scarlett Robb, Nina Chalmers, Emma Ward, Maddie Worrall, Sophia Haines, and Zara Pomfret, each bringing speed, strength, and relay experience.
Looking to challenge ACA’s dominance will be strong squads from Feilding Moa (with both A and B teams entered), North Harbour Bays, Wellington Harriers, and two teams from Olympic Harriers.
Men’s U20
The Junior Men’s race features a deep and competitive field with nine teams entered. ACA Junior Men A will be looking to lead the charge, but they’ll face strong opposition from Egmont Athletics, Pakuranga, Feilding Moa, Run Timaru, University of Canterbury (UCANT), Wellington Harriers (WHAC), Lynndale, and Olympic Harriers (OHAC).
With emerging talent across all teams, the Junior Men’s race is set to be one of the most unpredictable and exciting contests of the day.
Whether you’re racing, cheering, or following online, expect a day of high energy, tight splits, and passionate performances. The roads of Feilding and Halcombe are ready, let the relay begin!