
This is a paragraph. Writing in paragraphs lets visitors find what they are looking for quickly and easily.
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/MORNING
The Big Morning Run for MHAW
Mark your calendars for the Big Morning Run, Wednesday 25 September – “Whānau Wednesday”, celebrating how feeling connected to others boosts your well-being.
Clubs all over New Zealand will be hitting the pavement, chasing the sunrise and showing the incredible power of running and human connection.
This year’s theme, community is… what we create together, couldn’t be more apt for Aotearoa's run clubs, especially when you consider how being active positively impacts mental health. So, let's rise and shine, lace up those running shoes, and let the good vibes flow!
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How it works
Describe some quality or feature of the company. Write a short paragraph about it and choose an appropriate icon.
Short title
PLAN YOUR RUN ROUTE
You can run or walk with friends (no need to register). Alternatively, use the FIND A CLUB function to see if there's a group run near you that you can join.

GET THE
WORD OUT

Invite your friends! Clubs involved on the day/at the weekend, please register – we'll send you imagery for social media posts and add you to our club map.
RUN AND
SHARE PICS!

Get out there and enjoy! Let's flood social media with positive images of the #BigMorningRun, encouraging people to #BeActive and support #MHAWNZ.
Get out there and enjoy! Let's flood social media with positive images of the #BigMorningRun, encouraging people to #BeActive for #MHAWNZ.
Get running
after work
/evening
More of a night owl? No worries at all! Grab your besties and hit the road after work. Alternatively, some clubs are meeting in the evening so you can join in with them. Don't miss the chance to run off the stresses of the day, chat, bond, and reward yourself with a well-earned drink after all those strides.
It's all about community connection, supporting each other side by side, making us all happier and stronger individuals.
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/WHY
The health benefits of running
/01
Improves sleep
Running in the morning helps to boost melatonin levels in your body, something that's essential for a better quality of sleep. Getting a good night’s sleep has been shown to be vital in helping to maintain good mental health.
/03
Combats depression
Running releases various key endorphins – ‘happy chemicals’ – which create feelings of happiness and euphoria. It also reduces the stress hormone cortisol. This is a key factor in maintaining good mental health and reducing anxiety.
/05
Aids metabolism
Running stimulates your metabolism, helping you burn calories, and can even help suppress your appetite after you run. The effects on metabolism have been shown to be especially beneficial first thing in the morning.
/02
Reduces stress
Running floods your body with hormones like norepinephrine and dopamine, helping reduce the stress hormone cortisol, giving you a more positive mood. It can also create new brain cells and improve overall brain performance.
/04
Boosts immune system
Running is great for so many parts of your body, from the heart to the brain and the immune system. It restores elasticity to arteries, making them behave younger, aids brain function and helps boost the immune system.
/06
Improves self-esteem
Improving fitness has been shown to boost self-esteem and positive self-image. Regardless of who you are, exercise can quickly elevate our perception of self-worth – it helps you feel happy within yourself.
Into the wild
/trail running
We’re not forgetting our trail running brethren! New Zealand has some of the world’s best trails – many within surprisingly easy reach. Catching the sunrise out in nature is hard to beat – and if you’re lucky enough to live close to some of our off-road routes, we hope you’ll join us on the day or that weekend and do just that!
You can head out with mates or check the map to see if there’s a club near you planning an off-road run. Alternatively, check out Wild Things – their awesome virtual club community crosses the entire country, so you may well find an impromptu run near you.
Into the wild
/trail running
We’re not forgetting our trail running brethren! New Zealand has some of the world’s best trails – many within surprisingly easy reach. Catching the sunrise out in nature is hard to beat – and if you’re lucky enough to live close to some of our off-road routes, we hope you’ll join us on the day or that weekend and do just that!
You can head out with mates or check the map to see if there’s a club near you planning an off-road run. Alternatively, check out Wild Things – their awesome virtual club community crosses the entire country, so you may well find an impromptu run near you.
Joining a club offers countless benefits that go beyond simply running itself, not least the added motivation of being in a positive environment, great social connection, knowledge sharing and training to help you improve.
The map features a range of clubs all across New Zealand. Use it to help you find the one that best fits your needs. Many will take part on the morning or else have runs the weekend of MHAW.
We’ll add to this list over the coming weeks as more clubs sign up. If you’re a club, an informal running group or a coaching service, please use the
contact form
to get added.
Find a club
/where
- MetroRun NZ 108 Ponsonby Rd, Grey Lynn, Auckland 1011, New Zealand
- The Y Marathon Club Auckland Domain, Auckland Domain, 39 Park Rd, Grafton, Auckland 1023
- EBRC Hobsonville Hobsonville Ferry Terminal, Hobsonville Point Auckland 0616 New Zealand
- Monday Underground Northcote Tavern, Northcote Tavern, 37 Queen Street, Northcote Point, Auckland 0627
- Neighbourhood Track Club 135 Westhaven Dr, Westhaven, Auckland 1011, New Zealand
- NH Bays Babes AUT Millennium (Aut Millenium), AUT Millennium, 17 Antares Pl, Rosedale, Auckland 0632
- Beer Jerk Run Club The Fridge & Flagon By Beer Jerk, The Fridge & Flagon By Beer Jerk, 2 Shaddock St, Eden Terrace, Auckland 1021
- Shoe Science Albany RunFitFamily Shoe Science, Shoe Science, 15 Mercari Way, Albany, Auckland 0632
- Shoe Science Mt Eden - Wednesday Club Shoe Science, Shoe Science, 66 Mount Eden Rd, Mount Eden, Auckland 1024
- Go Run Girls & Go Run Guys Whangaparaoa, Auckland City, New Zealand
- The Pigeon Run (evening) 429 Tamaki Dr, St Heliers, Auckland 1071, New Zealand
- Femmi Run Club Auckland Buoy Cafe & Eatery, Buoy Cafe & Eatery, Westhaven Dr, St Marys Bay, Auckland 1011
- Speed Freaks Tamaki Makurau Odyssey House Coexisting Disorders, Odyssey House Coexisting Disorders, Dominion Rd, Mount Eden, Auckland 1024
- Hamilton City Hawks Hillsborough Ter, Hillsborough Ter, Hamilton Central, Hamilton 3204
- Hamilton Roadrunners Hamilton Yacht Club, Hamilton Yacht Club, Hamilton Lake, Hamilton 3204
- WoRM (Wellington Running Meetup) Wellington, New Zealand
- Wellington Scottish AC Salisbury Ter, Mount Cook, Wellington 6021, New Zealand
- Wellington Harrier AC Wellington Harrier Athletic Club, Wellington Harrier Athletic Club, Alexandra Rd, Newtown, Wellington 6021
- Christchurch Marathon Clinic Christchurch Marathon Clinic, Christchurch Marathon Clinic, Garnett Ave, Spreydon, Christchurch 8024
- Extra Mile Runners Hagley Ave, Christchurch Central, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
- Phoenix Athletic Club NZ Suva St, Upper Riccarton, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
- Port Hills Athletics Club 5 Ombersley Ter, Opawa, Christchurch 8023, New Zealand
- Leith Harriers (Sunday event with Hill City Harriers) Logan Park, Logan Park, 48 Logan Park Dr, North Dunedin, Dunedin 9016
- Caversham Harriers Middleton Rd, Corstorphine, Dunedin 9012, New Zealand
- Hutt Valley Runners Huia Pool, Huia Pool, Huia St, Hutt Central, Lower Hutt 5010
- Speed Freaks Christchurch Deans Ave, Riccarton, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
- Speed Freaks New Plymouth Huatoki Plaza, Huatoki Plaza, Brougham St, New Plymouth 4310
- Femmi Run Club Wellington Raglan Roast Coffee (Raglan Roast Chaffers Dock), Raglan Roast Coffee, 22 Herd St, Te Aro, Wellington 6011
- Femmi Run Club Dunedin 50 Logan Park Dr, North Dunedin, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
- Femmi Run Club Christchurch 12 Hereford St, Christchurch Central, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand
- Athletics Hawera Hicks Memorial Park, Hicks Memorial Park, Reid Ave, Hawera, Hawera 4610
- Egmont Athletics Tet Stadium & Events Centre, Tet Stadium & Events Centre, Elliot St, Inglewood, Inglewood 4330
- Hawera Harriers A & P Showgrounds, A & P Showgrounds, Rata St, Hawera, Hawera 4610
- New Plymouth Harriers Pukekura Park, Pukekura Park, Brooklands Rd, New Plymouth, New Plymouth 4310
- Stratford Runners & Walkers Pembroke Rd, Stratford, Stratford 4332, New Zealand
- Mount Runners & Walkers Club May St, May St, Mount Maunganui 3116
- Hātea Run Whangarei 0110, New Zealand
- Greymouth Harrier Club Greymouth Harrier Club, Greymouth Harrier Club, Alexander St, Greymouth 7805
- Southland Harriers Southland, New Zealand
- Taupo Harrier Club Taupo Harrier Club, Taupo Harrier Club, A C Baths Ave, Tauhara, Taupo 3330
- Kerikeri Striders Kerikeri 0230, New Zealand
- Manawatu Striders Manawaroa St, West End, Palmerston North 4410, New Zealand
- Ariki Athletics and Harriers Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
- Wanganui Harrier Club Wanganui Harrier Club Inc, Wanganui Harrier Club Inc, Parsons St, St Johns Hill, Whanganui 4501
- Gisborne Harriers Club 91 Innes St, Awapuni, Gisborne 4010, New Zealand
- Lake City Athletic Club Lake City Athletic Club, Lake City Athletic Club, Lynmore, Rotorua 3010
- Hill City Harrier Club - Sunday event with Leith Harriers Caledonian Ground, Caledonian Ground, Andersons Bay Rd, South Dunedin, Dunedin 9012
- Rotorua Trail Running Club Rotorua 3010, New Zealand
- New Plymouth Joggers and Walkers Club Pukekura Park, Pukekura Park, Brooklands Rd, New Plymouth, New Plymouth 4310
- Marlborough Harrier Club Redwoodtown Community Centre, Redwoodtown Community Centre, Weld St, Redwoodtown, Blenheim 7201
- Athletics Nelson Athletics Nelson, Athletics Nelson, Hastings St, Washington Valley, Nelson 7010
- Tauranga Ramblers/Athletics Tauranga Tauranga Domain, Tauranga Domain, Cameron Rd, Tauranga, Tauranga 3110
- Athletics Whangarei Athletics Whangarei, Athletics Whangarei, Park Ave, Kensington, Whangarei 0112
- North Otago Athletics North Otago Amateur Athletic & Harrier Club, North Otago Amateur Athletic & Harrier Club, Severn St, Oamaru 9400
- Run Walk HB - Napier Park Island Recreation Ground, Park Island Recreation Ground, 53 Clyde Jeffery Dr, Poraiti, Napier 4112
- Run Walk HB - Hastings Havelock North Domain, Havelock North Domain, Te Mata Rd, Havelock North, Havelock North 4130
- Napier Harriers Symons Ln, Taradale, Napier 4112, New Zealand
- Life In Motion Run Club (evening) Newlands, Wellington 6037, New Zealand
- Trail Tribe Waiheke Palm Beach, Waiheke Island 1081, New Zealand
- Halswell Run 324A Halswell Rd, Halswell, Christchurch 8025, New Zealand
- Shoe Science Silverdale RunFitFamily Shoe Science Silverdale, Shoe Science Silverdale, Alberto Ln, Silverdale 0932
- Calliope Harriers Mokoia Rd, Birkenhead, Auckland 0626, New Zealand
- TTT Runners Takanini, Takanini 2112, New Zealand
- Feel Good Run Crew (evening) 25 Devon Street East, New Plymouth 4310, New Zealand
- HLV Run Club Rautawhiri Park, Rautawhiri Rd, Helensville, Auckland 0875, New Zealand
- Brightside Aotearoa University of Otago, 364 Leith Walk, Dunedin, Otago 9016, New Zealand
- Glow With The Flow - Gizzy Run Club Raglan Roast, Gisborne, Gisborne 4010, New Zealand
- Christchurch City Council 53 Hereford Street, Christchurch Central, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand
- Night Ninjas 228 Millwater Parkway, Silverdale 0932, New Zealand
- Outfit North Paihia, Northland, New Zealand
- RESET Run Club Rainbow Falls, Rainbow Falls Rd, Kerikeri, Northland 0230, New Zealand
- Sport Central 6 Barry Avenue, Cromwell 9310, New Zealand
- Challenge Wanaka & Kinisi Running 121 Ardmore Street, Wānaka 9305, New Zealand
- RUNCLUB45 1 Henry Street, Blenheim 7201, New Zealand
- Far North Running Kaitaia, Northland, New Zealand
- Foster Moore Run Club 82 Wyndham Street, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
- EBRC Wellington Queens Wharf, Wellington Central, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
/move for mental health
What is MHAW?
23-29 September 2024 is Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW). The theme for this year is ‘community is... what we create together’.
Whānau Wednesday 25 September focuses on the benefits of feeling connected to others. The Big Morning Run aims to highlight great local clubs across New Zealand and show how running and connection can boost your mental health.