Porirua Parkrun

Porirua parkrun will be moving out of Bothamley Park. The last event for the foreseeable future will occur on the 3rd of December 2022. From the 10th of December the event will move to the Ara Harakeke pathway, Porirua. Located just north of the Plimmerton Weigh station. Access to this pathway is from 2 Northpoint Street and then walk 400 metres north along pathway towards Airlie Road.

This is happening due to the upgrade of the sewer main through Bothamley Park, which will close parts of the park for extended periods. The parkrun will return to Bothamley Park after the works have completed but this is expect to take approximately two years.

We have a new name for this new parkrun course in Porirua - it will be called "Ara Harakeke parkrun".

What is Porirua park run? It is a 5km run or walk - It’s not about coming first or winning. You can go at your own pace and just enjoy being with other people. It is inclusive and the perfect way to start your weekend in the outdoors chatting to people.

The start occurs next to the Bothamley Park carpark. This is off Champion street and the driveway entrance is opposite the intersection with Windley Street. Head to end of carpark where the asphalt ends and there is a gate. For location see https://goo.gl/maps/wEohfp9bRu82.

You are following the original 1870's (circa) coach road established for the early farms in the area. Today this old historic track is located within a park, away from cars and now used by walkers, runners and cyclists.

The track is generally 3 metres wide with a gentle gradient and a compacted gravel surface that follows the Kenepuru Stream through a picturesque wooded wild valley. (There is a pinch point for a short section after the 2km marker where participants need to go single file each direction for approx 30 metres)

The valley runs east-west with mature trees which means this has to be one of the most sheltered places, out of the wind to exercise in Wellington.

What does it cost to join in?
Nothing - it's free! but please register before your first run or walk, so you can get your timing results. You only need to register with parkrun once, to participate at any of the parkrun events around the world. Don't forget to bring a copy of your barcode. If you forget them, you won't get a time.

How fast do I have to be? Walking is fine as long as you can finish the 5km within an hour. Please come along and join in whatever your pace!

Note there is no toilets in the park, so go before you go.

We're friendly! Every week we grab a post park run/walk coffee in the Porirua McCafe at McDonald's on Lyttelton Avenue to mix exercise with socialising.