2026 Recap

Total Distance Covered:

52,164 km

1.3 times around the Earth / 82 road trips from WGTN to AKL

Total vertical climbed:

1,532,084 m

equivalent of summiting Everest from sea level 173 times

Sign-ups in total:

1,257

115 Mountain Bikers / 1142 Trail Runners

Nations:

32

nationalities represented from across the globe

Thanks for coming and being part of the Faultline Ultra experience. What an incredible weekend of adventure, grit, community and unforgettable moments across the trails of Wellington.

From the 6km Magnitude 6.0 through to the epic 161km Insanity, every runner, walker, supporter, volunteer and crew member helped create something truly special. Over two days, participants tackled rugged ridgelines, native bush, coastal views and iconic city trails stretching from Kāpiti through the Hutt Valley, Porirua, Karori and into the heart of Wellington City.

The atmosphere across the entire event was electric

First-timers discovering what trail running is all about, seasoned ultra athletes pushing their limits, relay teams sharing the journey, and supporters bringing energy to every checkpoint and finish line. The Faultline spirit was alive everywhere: encouragement on climbs, laughter at aid stations, and emotional finish-line embraces that reminded us why these events matter.

Heading over to Wellington for Faultline was one of the most eye-opening experiences I’ve had in a long time. The people, the culture, the energy, the scenery, the coffee, the genuine conversations with the happiest people on earth — loved every second of it.

Massive thanks to the organisers — what a fun event. After a magical first 30k of crushing the uphills and bombing the downs, I ran through the pain right to the finish. I’ll be back next year for sure.

Coastal cliffs, technical bush trails, and city views all in one course. Every turn feels different, every section tests you, and somehow it just keeps getting better. If you’re going to travel for a race, make it one that gives you more.

What an incredible weekend of adventure, grit, community and unforgettable moments across the trails of Wellington. Coastal cliffs. Technical bush trails. City views. All in one course.

Faultline Ultra continues to showcase why Wellington is one of the world’s great trail playgrounds:

A place where adventure, community and challenge come together in spectacular fashion. Whether you conquered your first trail event or completed one of the ultra distances, you are now part of the Faultline story.

24-25April2027

Where we came from:

183

different towns and cities the length of the country

Age Range:

6 - 84 years

field spanned six decades of age, averaging 39

2026 Bests

100 Miler – Insanity

male
1.	Simon McLean	18:00:09
2.	Matt Barton	20:18:32
3.	Josh Morris	20:20:59

female
1.	Mel Brandon	22:14:18
2.	Anna O'Byrne	23:40:30
3.	Lara Zoeller	27:11:10

100 Miler – Teams

male
1.	Faulty Liners 2.0	17:35:32
2.	Tuesday Run Club	19:41:44
3.	Gel Blasters	19:58:48

mixed
1.	Casey Kyle RIP	17:25:24
2.	F*ck	20:22:12
3.	Just us in sight	22:09:45

103km Ultra – The Worlds End

male
1.	Chester Holt-Quick	10:25:44
2.	Macauley Jones	11:05:32
3.	Johan Bergman	11:34:36

female
1.	Annabel de Jong	11:43:22
2.	Rachael Hearne	14:07:53
3.	Daniela Klinge	15:17:05

53km Ultra – Shake and Bake

male
1.	Daniel Jones	4:16:37
2.	David Haunschmidt	4:21:12
3.	Tyler Russell	4:59:36

female
1.	Ali Campbell	5:23:53
2.	Libby Sexton	5:32:18
3.	Caris Teo	5:48:37

25km – After Shock

male
1.	Marcos Valero	1:53:32
2.	Liam Mckenzie	1:58:18
3.	Owen Perry	2:02:09

female
1.	Tessa Hunt	2:14:55
2.	Talia Flannery	2:18:47
3.	Tara Milne	2:30:04

12km – The Tremor

male
1.	Eric Speakman	44:20
2.	Max Doherty	47:47
3.	Daniel Palfreyman	53:04

female
1.	Isobel Thurston	56:39
2.	Catriona Thurston	58:21
3.	Naomi Richardson	1:10:26

6km – Magnitude 6.0

male
1.	Tom Baddeley	20:27
2.	Axel Crump	24:40
3.	Samuel Martin	26:00

female
1.	Isla Barsanti	25:57
2.	Anne-Sophie Maus	26:18
3.	E A Waring	28:43

2026 Full Results

A race I won’t forget quickly.

Tyler Russell

This isn’t just a run, it’s New Zealand at its best.

TSRC Team

If you’re going to travel for a race, make it one that gives you more.

Sydney Run Club

That 100% Pure New Zealand feeling is real.

Sydney Run Club

Photo Gallery

More Photos

Find Yourself

Te Manawa Toka

Within the Faultline Ultra community, Te Manawa Toka carries a meaning beyond the physical. It speaks to the inner strength found during long hours in the mountains, the support shared between runners, volunteers, and whānau, and the powerful sense of belonging that grows through shared hardship and achievement. Just as stone forms the backbone of the landscape, Te Manawa Toka represents the heart of the event itself — a reminder that true endurance is built not only through toughness, but through connection, courage, and community.

A massive thank you

goes to our volunteers, medical teams, marshals, sponsors and event crew who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to keep runners safe, supported and inspired throughout the weekend. Events like this simply do not happen without you.

286

Volunteers

367

Shifts

1,776

Hours volunteered

Ask any runner or Mountain Biker what they’ll remember about Faultline and you’ll hear about the course, the coastline, the climbs, and the people on course. The volunteer at 28k who knew exactly what to say. The marshal who’d been standing at the same corner for four hours and still cheered like it was the first runner through. The aid station crew who treated every cup of water like it mattered, because it did.

To every single one of you who gave your time, your energy, and your weekend to make this happen, thank you. You looked after our athletes like they were your own. You made strangers feel like locals. You showed the world what Wellington hospitality actually looks like.

To everyone who ran, cheered, hosted, fed, photographed, and helped showcase the purest side of Wellington, thank you. Faultline 2026 was everything we hoped it would be, and more. Lock in the dates, bring your friends, and turn next year’s race into your own run-cation.

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3360

servings of tailwind

164

litres of Coke

385

servings of porridge

900

bananas

10 kg

of pickles

36 kg

of lollies

We hope the memories, friendships and finish-line feelings stay with you for a long time yet.

Thanks for the sponsors

Your next race

Kapiti Half

8th November 2026

BFXTrail

10th May - 5th July 2026

Xterra Wellington Festival

TBA

Xterra Rotorua Festival

TBA

As the dust settles

and the legs slowly recover, take a moment to reflect on what you achieved out there. Every kilometre, every climb, every difficult moment and every finish line crossed was earned.

Thank you again for trusting us to be part of your journey — and until next time, keep exploring, keep challenging yourself, and keep chasing the next horizon.