News & Updates

The green light has been given for a dynamic and vibrant 2024 New Zealand Road Relay Championships set to be hosted at the high-octane Taupo Motorsport Park on Saturday 28 September.

Taking place on an undulating closed circuit course, the full throttle event on the Central Plateau promises to deliver a unique road relay experience for both athletes and spectators alike at one of the country’s premier motorsport venues.

With far fewer open road options now available to host the New Zealand Road Relay Championships – the 2024 event shifts away from the traditional format of many previous editions of the annual event.

But following the success of the well-received 2022 edition, which took place at the closed circuit Bottle Lake Forest Park, the event at Taupo Motorsport Park will be an event quite like no other in the rich history of the annual championship. 

With planned short, medium, and long laps for the different championship grades, the atmosphere will be pumping as DJ’s, comperes and commentators provide the backdrop to one of the marquee days on the New Zealand athletics calendar.

Teams will be given an allocated space in one of the 32 pitlane garages or a covered space in the pitlane – also known as the party lane – situated close to the start-finish area and transition zone.

The fully contained venue will offer parking, an extensive warm up area and even the opportunity for social and team building activities with access to the go karting track one of the many on-site entertainment options as well as food and beverage options. The post-race award ceremonies will also take place at Taupo Motorsport Park.

A number of new initiatives are also planned for the event including the use of an electronic leaderboard allowing athletes and spectators clear updates of the state of play as teams battle it out for team honours.

Besides the traditional championship event there will be the opportunity for non-Athletics NZ members through social and corporate teams to enter the event and experience the unique vibe of a New Zealand Road Relay Championships.

Offering the additional bonus of a weekend away in one of New Zealand’s most attractive tourist destinations all teams are encouraged to book their accommodation early as the 2024 event takes place during the school holidays. The first race at the 2024 New Zealand Road Relay Championships is expected to start at around 9am on Saturday 28 September. 

Athletics NZ Competitions Manager Jason Cameron said: “We are hugely excited by the 2024 edition of the New Zealand Road Relay Championships, which we feel will provide a unique and fulfilling experience for athletes and spectators.

“We will do what we can to preserve our traditional road relay courses in the future, but for now we are fully committed to an exhilarating 2024 edition.

“I’m confident the atmosphere and camaraderie generated by being part of a central hub at Taupo Motorsport Park will create an absolute banger of an event. Let’s go racing!”

Athletics NZ has also confirmed that the 2025 New Zealand Road Relay Championships will pivot back to an open road format in Feilding in Manawatu on Saturday 4 October. 

***Further information on grade distances/laps and the full programme for the 2024 New Zealand Road Relay Championships will be announced in the New Year.