Feel the Burn
Saturday 30 January 2027
Distances
Why turn up
You're running through Flock Hill and Castle Hill Basin, some of the most jaw-dropping limestone and mountain scenery in Canterbury (yes, the Narnia rocks). This is private land, rarely open to the public, so it's a genuinely rare chance to run through it.
30km, 20km, 10km and 5km, so bring the whole family or your least-fit mate, everyone's covered.
Every entry supports the Craigieburn Restoration Trust's conservation work in the basin, so you're running for something bigger than a finish line.
Seriously good spot prizes and race pack gear from our awesome sponsors, past runners have loved the caps and shirts. Plus fantastic accommodation prizes from Craigieburn Basin Destination, including a night at Flock Hill Luxury Lodge, season ski passes for Porters, and Cactus gear for the main prizes... and that's just scratching the surface, we've got plenty more up our sleeve too!
Think trail running crossed with a family day out: good vibes at the start/finish, photographers capturing the action, and a crowd that's more "cheering each other on" than "elite race stress."
Shorter distances and a relaxed atmosphere mean it's genuinely a day out for everyone, not just hardcore trail runners.
This year we're stepping it up too — more photographers, a filmmaker, more organised than ever. If you've been thinking about a trail race with a view you won't forget, this is the one. Get in quick, spots always go fast for events on private land like this.
Race photos
What runners say
“The 'Feel The Burn' running event is a great experience, and all for a good cause. Getting to run through the unique limestone rock formations on this private farm station is a special opportunity. I've driven past this spectacular landscape many times but never expected to get the chance to see it up close. I highly recommend it as an adventure run this summer.”
“From the first briefing it was clear this was a true grassroots, community-driven event. Respect for the land, respect for each other, and a real sense of shared purpose. Then bang — straight into a climb. Technical trails, forest, riverbeds, then those massive boulders I've admired for years. Running through them felt like being dropped into a movie set. An outstanding inaugural event and inspiring example of community resilience after the 2024 fires. Somehow 30km with 1300m of vert flew by. Register your interest for next year — this one's special.”
“Some of our NZM team took part in the Feel The Burn Trail Run, with distances from 5km to 30km. The course ran through two of our ZQ grower properties — Flock Hill Station and Castle Hill Stn — as well as the stunning Craigieburn Forest Park. NZM is proud to support the Craigieburn Basin Trust and its work to restore the Basin following the December 2024 fires, working toward a 100-year vision to restore and protect this environment for generations to come.”