What's On for the Winter Season
The Winter Cross Country & Road Season runs from April to October. There are a wide range of distance running events at national, regional, club and school levels that cater for participants of all ages and abilities. Check out some of the options below.
Club Events
ACA event hosts two Inter-club Cross Country races during the winter season. The ACA Southland Centennial Relays in April and the ACA Pairs Relay in August.
The Cross Country & Road Winter Season
Athletics Auckland runs the Grand Prix Series over the winter season. This includes 4 x Cross Country Races and 1 x Road Race. Part of the Grand Prix series is the Auckland Championship Cross Country Race, and the Auckland Championship Road Race.
Locations and race details below:
Grand Prix Series Race 1 (Cross Country) - Pukekohe Showgrounds - Saturday 9th May, 2026
Grand Prix Series Race 2 (Cross Country) - Lloyd Elsmore Park, Pakuranga - Saturday 23rd May, 2026
Grand Prix Series Race 3 (Cross Country) - Long Bay Regional Park - Saturday 27th June, 2026
Grand Prix Series Race 4 (Auckland Cross Country Championships) - Barry Curtis Park - Saturday 18th July, 2026
Grand Prix Series Race 5 (Auckland Road Race Championships) - Bruce Pulman Park - Sunday 16th August, 2026
Athletics Auckland also runs a Cross Country Teams Race - this race is not part of the Grand Prix series and the athletes need to enter this race separately.
Athletics Auckland Cross Country Teams Championships - Ambury Park, Mangere Bridge - Saturday 13th June, 2026
To find out more and enter events please see the Athletics Auckland 2026 Winter Season Events Calendar for details
Winter Season Auckland Region Relays
During the winter season there are several Cross Country and Road Relay options in Auckland as below:
Southland Centennial (ACA) Cross Country Relays - All Age Groups - this is Winter Season opening relay for the season and hosted by ACA. Rugby League Field, Puriri Drive, Cornwall Park, Greenlane.
Oratia Junior Cross Country Relays - Junior Relay U16 and Younger - 4 runners (U16) x 2km laps. There is also a fun run for all ages. Konini Primary School - Saturday 16th May 2026
Lynndale Junior Cross Country Relays - Junior Relay U16 and Younger - 4 runners per team x 2.1km. 36 Portage Road, New Lynn - Saturday 30th May 2026.
ACA Pairs Cross Country Race - All Age Groups - Cornwall Park - Saturday 8th August 2026
Moire Park Trail Cross Country Relays - Junior Relay U16 and Younger - 4 runners Saturday 22th August, 2026
Auckland Road Relay Championship - All Age Groups - Mt Smart - Sunday 13th September 2026
To find out more and enter events please see the Athletics Auckland 2026 Winter Season Events Calendar for details
NZ Road Relay Championships
This year the New Zealand Road Relay Champs is being held near Palmerston North in Halcombe on Saturday 3rd October 2026. Teams are made up of 6-7 athletes (ages 14 and up) across different age groups, with each team member running one leg of the relay between 4.8-13.7km. This is the only time every year that ACA travel and stay as a team. It is a great weekend away.