About us

Pillar to Pou is a new kind of endurance event — designed to celebrate Taupō’s lakefront and offer something different from the traditional start-to-finish event.

Set on a stunning 7.3km loop between Two Mile Bay Sailing Club (the Pillar) and Te Ātea Tapuaeharuru (the Pou), the challenge is simple: run or walk as many laps as you can in six hours — solo or in a team of 2-6.

It’s about movement, connection, and making the most of this incredible place.

The weekend also includes a kids’ event for ages 4–15, with scaled distances and all the big-event energy — including bibs, medals, and their own event t-shirts.

From Pillar to Pou. And back again. As many times as you can.

Our programme

The main event takes place on Saturday, 7 June 2025 — a six-hour endurance challenge open to solo runners and walkers, or relay teams of 2–6. The goal: complete as many 7.3km laps of the Taupō lakefront as you can between 10:00am and 4:00pm.

Each lap starts and finishes at the Pillar (Two Mile Bay Sailing Club), with the halfway turn at the Pou (Te Ātea Tapuaeharuru). You choose your pace, your strategy, and your team dynamic — every lap counts.

On the same morning, we’ll host our kids’ event, giving tamariki aged 4–15 the chance to take on their own version of the course with quarter, half, or full lap options. It’s all the energy of the main event, scaled to suit smaller legs — with bibs, medals, and t-shirts included.

The day includes a warm-up and recovery zone, a fuel and hydration station, merchandise, music, and a lakefront atmosphere that builds with every lap.

It’s all about movement — at your pace, your way.

What you need to know

Location - Two Mile Bay Sailing Club, Taupō. The course follows the 7.3km Great Lake Pathway to Te Ātea Tapuaeharuru and back.

Date - Saturday, 7 June 2025

Main Event Time - 10:00am – 4:00pm. Complete as many laps as you can in six hours.

Format - Run or walk. Solo or relay team of 2–6 (one person on course at a time).

Earlybird Pricing - Available until 30 April 2025.

Team Registration - Teams register together online. One person creates the team and others join using the team name during sign-up.

Race Pack Collection - Friday, 6 June 2025 at Two Mile Bay Sailing Club. Times will be confirmed closer to the event.

Entry Includes

• Race bib and official race pack
• Finisher medal
• Access to fuel and hydration station
• Warm-up and recovery zone
• Music, MC, and event atmosphere
• Official merchandise available to pre-order online at registration

Kids’ Event - Also on Saturday morning. For ages 4–15 with quarter, half, or full loop options. Includes bib, finisher medal, and event t-shirt

Event Vibe - Supporters, music, lakefront energy, and a community feel that builds with every lap.