This is our final newsletter of the year. We’ll be back with results and upcoming events on January 19. Happy running, and happy holidays to everyone.
Coming up this week (and into next week)
- Tuesday night speed sessions have now finished for the year. Watch this space (and Stack).
- No club trail run this Thursday (Christmas Day) but it resumes on New Year’s Day. In January, we’ll be running Red Rocks. Meet at the Visitor Centre at 6pm. More details here.
- Thursday, Jan 1: Special New Year’s Day Parkrun at Waitangi Park.
- Saturday 8:00am: Parkruns at Waitangi, Lower Hutt, Porirua, Trentham, Kapiti, Ōtaki River and Greytown.
- Sunday long pack runs: These usually leave at 8:30 am from outside Freyberg Pool and other locations around Wellington. All speeds welcome, coordinate on the Facebook page.
Results
PBs at Night of 5s in Auckland
Joe Martin (pictured above) had a nail-biting close finish on Saturday night to win the 800m A race with a new PB of 1:48.25, just .09 ahead of the second runner. This is now Joe’s second qualifying time for the 2026 Worlds U20 Track and Field Championship. And he beat Nick Willis’ M18 record set in 2001. Way to go, Joe!
In the 5,000 metres, Beth Garland came second in the elite women’s race and set a new personal record, crossing the finish line in 16:28.403 (significantly faster than her run the previous evening as Santa at the Night of Miles!)
And in the men’s 5,000 metres, Seamus Kane smashed his previous PB to record a new personal record of 14:31.236.
So great to see the yellow singlets out on the AUT track. Incredible work, Lions.
All results here
Night of Miles
A great turnout on a less-than-ideal night weather-wise. Lots of PBs and SBs, and a great time with Santa on the track. Special mention to the great pride of rampant lionesses including Nic Hankinson, Betty Harp, Lindsay Young and Karyn McLean who were all very close together in the B race. Also huge fun was had on the 4 x 400 relay with lots of late entering teams having a great time.
All results here
Waitangi Parkrun – new course record
Lennox Crowe, also in his club singlet, set a new course record for the Waitangi Parkrun on Saturday:, shaving 12 seconds off the previous record by crossing the finish line in a blistering 15:26.
Parkruns
Check out all the other results.
Notices
Round the Bays Pacers wanted
Meg is looking for pace runners – Round the Bays half marathon on 15 Feb 2026. Whether you’re a seasoned half-marathoner or want to give pacing a go for the first time, there’s room for you. If you’re keen to support other runners in our community and can put together your legs with a steady strategy, then I’d love to hear from you.
Please add your name to the duty roster in the Stack app, or get in touch with me otherwise. Pace group leaders left to fill: 1:25, 1:55, 2:10, 2:20, 2:30, 2:40. Thank you from Meg.
Do you have a club trophy? We need them back
If you have a Scottish or interclub trophy, we would like it returned so it can be engraved and then presented to this year’s winner at the club prizegiving on 25 January. Please contact Todd to make arrangements for collection.
We want your running photos
Thanks to everyone who’s sent their photos. If you’re willing to have your running pics shared on our public-facing Facebook and Instagram pages, please please send photos to us or upload them into this folder.
Scottish apparel for sale
We are selling club singlets and Early racing singlets that club member John Plimmer manufactures locally. Crop tops, socks, puffer vests, rampant lion caps, technical “Wellington Scottish” short-sleeves, technical “Unleash your inner lion” short-sleeves, long-sleeves and white cotton short-sleeve t-shirts – all in a range of sizes.
Check our clothing for sale on our website
Coming up
8-11 January: Ruapehu Trail Camp
8-11 Jan 2026, from the WTMC lodge at Whakapapa. Expect good runs, good chats, good food, and great entertainment. The cost will be $200 for the full 3 nights, and spaces are limited to 30 people.
10 January: Ian Priest Memorial Hutt River Trail Events
This year’s event continues the tradition of bringing runners and walkers together on one of New Zealand’s most scenic off-road courses – from the historic Remutaka Rail Trail to the Hutt River estuary at Petone foreshore. Four distances: Ultra Marathon (60km), marathon, half marathon and 10K fun run/walk. More information here.
Register through here.
10 January: Splash and Dash
The next event in this series is on January 10. Full details here.
17 January: M*A*S*H Backyard Ultra
The mission is simple: run 6.71km every hour, on the hour, until you can’t go on. The second edition of the M*A*S*H Backyard Ultra takes place over Wellington Anniversary Weekend – kicking off 9am, Saturday 17 January. Directed by General Fiona Hayvice, it’s a battle of endurance packed with camaraderie, chaos, and the kind of challenge you’ll never forget.
24 January: Jumbo Holdsworth and Hooper Loop Trail Races
The Jumbo Holdsworth Trail Race & Hooper Loop are trail runs over tracks and hills on the 24km Jumbo-Holdsworth Circuit. These courses suit fit competitors with reasonable mountain and trail experience.
For the purpose of matching the front of the field in the same race, a specific direction is chosen each year for those who want to podium. In 2026 the podium direction is the Holdsworth to Jumbo (clockwise) direction.
The 12km Hooper Loop keeps mainly within the bush and encompasses graded tracks with a reasonably steep hill climb during the middle section of the race. It suits the novice through to the elite.
25 January: Scottish Club Prizegiving
Our club prizegiving will be held at Wilton Bowling Club, from 3-6pm on Sunday 25 January. We will have a food truck on site making gourmet pizzas – costs covered by the club. There will be a ceremony to celebrate our achievements over 2025, and some special guests, and plenty of time to eat and drink and play some bowls. Come along! And please RSVP on Stack so we can get an idea of numbers.
15 February: Southern Cross Round the Bays
The Southern Cross Wellington Round the Bays on 15 February 2026 takes advantage of the picturesque setting which winds its way around Wellington’s stunning inner city harbour.
The 8.4km route starts by Waitangi Park, then takes a left off Evans Bay Parade onto Cobham Drive, past the Troy St roundabout and then doubling back at Miramar Roundabout before arriving at Kilbirnie Park.
The Half Marathon is the classic route you know and love, on a fully measured, endorsed and certified half marathon course. Each route is packed with entertainment, making the iconic event Wellington’s biggest street party.
28 February: XTERRA Wellington Festival
XTERRA Wellington returns to the Kāpiti Coast on 28 February 2026, with a unique duathlon and trail running experience. The event includes four Trail Runs (6km, 14km Half Marathon & Marathon), Duathlon and Mountain Bike events. XTERRA Wellington embraces the rugged coastal landscape that is Kāpiti. There’s no glitz nor glamour, just hard New Zealand terrain, spectacular views and proper home grown hospitality. XTERRA Wellington links the beach to the mountains in a uniquely west coast way.
Keep in touch:
- If there is anything you want to be added to the Scottish Newsletter or if your results have been missed, please email us.
- If you want to contact anyone about anything, your first port of call is our club captains, Meg and Joel and our interim club president, Simon Keller.
- Public Facebook page and join the Scottish member Facebook group here.
- Website
Notes about results and upcoming events
- If you want your event added to this newsletter, contact us by Sunday evening.
- We’ll publish an event or a result and what makes it special if we’re told about it. So let us know what you, your friends, family members and teammates are up to. It is especially important for coaches to let us know when your athletes are attempting and achieving their goals.
- If you don’t want your name published in the newsletter or on the website, please let us know so we can omit you from the results.