The Ara Harakeke parkrun is providing a fresh outdoor option for runners and walkers. Ara Harakeke parkrun follows a dedicated off-road pathway along the top edge of Taupo Swamp, Plimmerton, with a three-metre-wide track and a gentle gradient. The course is chip-sealed for all-weather use, making it accessible year-round.
This weekly event is designed to be inclusive and social. Organisers say it’s about more than fitness, encouraging participants to enjoy the outdoors and connect with others. “It’s not about coming first or winning. You can go at your own pace and just enjoy being with other people,” say organisers.
The starting point is near Airlie Road, with access from SH59 via Ulric Street in Plimmerton. Participants should enter the pathway at 2 Northpoint Street and walk 400 metres north to reach the start line.
Ara Harakeke parkrun is free to join, but new participants need to register online at parkrun.co.nz/araharakeke to receive a barcode for official timing. The barcode can be used at any parkrun event worldwide. Organisers remind attendees to bring their barcode each time to ensure they get a recorded time.
Walking is encouraged, with the only requirement being that participants finish the 5km course within an hour. The welcoming atmosphere is a key feature, with many participants gathering for coffee afterward at the Backyard Café inside Palmers Garden Centre.
The Ara Harakeke parkrun will operate throughout 2025, offering a reliable weekend activity for locals while Bothamley Park undergoes upgrades. The closest public toilets are located at Plimmerton Domain, near the subway underpass.
Organisers invite locals to join the event and experience a positive way to start the weekend with exercise, social interaction, and stunning natural surroundings.