On the 7th of November Upper Hutt’s premier running and walking event will return. The Remutaka Rail Trail Run and Walk will yet again take place amongst the Kaitoke trails. Runners and walkers of all-abilities will descend and embark on either the 21k, 14k or 7k challenge.
The event is unique for its relatively flat trail; while most running events are either on closed roads, or hilly bush trails, this event co-opts the two. The entire event, bar the first and last kilometre, is run on compact gravel, making for fantastic underfoot conditions, regardless of the weather.
The course is on the ever popular Remutaka Rail Trail, sheltered by the towering trees and shrubs of the Pākuratahi Forest. 7k participants turn around before the first tunnel, while 14k and 21k entrants will have the unique opportunity to run through the 73m long Pakuratahi Tunnel twice!
Setting off from the Kaitoke Karting clubrooms, participants head down paved road for less than a kilometre to meet the start of the trail. From there, they wind their way past the gun club and alongside the Pākuratahi River – not to be confused with Te Awa Kairangi, the Hutt River – these two meet further down at the Kaitoke camping area.
21 kilometre entrants reach the summit yard area, an area classed as an archaeological site, before returning back down to the finish. 14 and 7 kilometre entrants turn around at their halfway points, returning to the same start/finish area.
While the track itself is not steep, it is steeped in history. Originally a railway line, it was a staggered opening, starting in 1878. After 77 years of service, the track was replaced by the Wairarapa line in 1955, with its 8.8km tunnel through the mountain ranges the preferred transport option. Greater Wellington Regional Council say that the old line is one of the ten most significant railway heritage sites in the world.
The name Remutaka was given to the spot at which Haunui-a-Nanaia sat and gazed on the land.
The line was of such significance it had a visit from Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip in its penultimate year of service, when the royal couple travelled by train to Masterton in January of 1954.
The Remutaka Rail Trail Run and Walk event is the primary fundraiser for Trentham United Harriers and Walkers, the largest group of runners and walkers in the Hutt Valley. The club is in its 68th year of providing both recreational and competitive opportunities for running and walking of all ages and abilities
To sign up for the Remutaka Rail Trail Run and Walk, visit the link below.
https://events.barefootsport.co.nz/event/2277
Authored by Trentham United Harriers
A “thank you” to Max Poland for sending this article to The Upper Hutt Connection.
06/10/26
