pillar to pou

Returns Saturday 13 June 2026 - a solo and team relay event - Lake Taupō, New Zealand.

6 hours, as many laps as possible.

Designed for everyone from beginner to ultra-competitive, and everyone in between, Pillar to Pou is a refreshing take on a running and walking event held in Taupō - New Zealand’s most beautiful, and one of the world’s top 10 most welcoming towns. Following a stand-out debut in 2025, we’re back for more on Saturday 13 June 2026.

As an individual or as a part of team of up to six, participants outran (or walked) the clock and completed as many 7.3km loops of the Taupō lakefront in six hours. With a scenic lakeside course and festival vibe, the event is more than just a race — it’s a strategic, immersive, and unforgettable challenge.

PILLAR TO POU - KIDS

Something for the little legs! Our kids’ version of Pillar to Pou is also back in 2026 - giving 4–15-year-olds the chance to soak up the spirit of the event in a fun, age-appropriate way.

Now shifting to the Friday ahead of the main event - 4pm Friday 12 June 2026. Learn more →

The Location.

Pillar to Pou takes athletes on a stunning 7.3km loop along Taupō’s renowned lakefront. The course stretches from the Two Mile Bay Sailing Club (the Pillar) to Te Ātea, home to magnificent carved pou (the Pou), before looping back. Runners follow Taupō’s Great Lake Pathway, with breathtaking views across Lake Taupō (roto) and toward the surrounding maunga (mountains).

Two Mile Bay Sailing Club with boats on a calm lake - Lake Taupō - with houses and trees on the shoreline during sunset.
Outdoor sculpture park with tall carved wooden Māori "pou" totem poles arranged in a circle, overlooking a body of water, with a large leafless tree and a metal pole nearby, during daytime with clear sky.

OUTRUN THE CLOCK, OUTLAST THE DOUBT, TAKE IN THE GREAT LAKE TAUPŌ.

GO IT ALONE.

Embrace the challenge, solo. Take charge of every step, and finish knowing you conquered the distance on your own terms.

A test for the well-versed or aspiring half-marathoner, marathoner, or ultra-marathoner. Set out to stay on your feet and accumulate as many laps as you can within the 6 hour timeframe.

Three male runners finishing a lap of the race under a blue ASICS archway, smiling and wearing athletic gear and race bibs. Other participants and event staff are visible in the background.

make it a team sport.

Challenges are better, together, and with team mates at your side, anything is possible. Even an ultra-marathon.

The exact makeup of your team is up to you, as long as it includes a minimum of two team members and a maximum of six. Each team member must be able to complete one whole 7.3km lap. The lap itself cannot be broken down further.

Two women at a race transition zone, one wearing a black shirt with race bib 1065 and the other wearing a black cap and sunglasses, talking and pointing.

GET THE LOOK.

Made in collaboration with ASICS, a selection of Pillar to Pou branded technical tees and tanks will be available for pre-purchase online. All merchandise will be ready for collection with your race pack at registration.

Wear it with pride and represent the kaupapa on and off the course.

Person running, wearing black athletic outfit and bright red running shoes, against a concrete wall background.

changing the race experience.

Pillar to Pou is designed to be as visually striking as it is physically demanding — every detail, from the course to the design, reflects the beauty and significance of Taupō.

The route follows the rhythm of Taupō’s lakefront — a landscape shaped by the whenua and the waters of Lake Taupō. Each lap connects participants to this place, weaving through history, movement, and meaning.

At the heart of the event - the Two Mile Bay Sailing Club - a warm-up and recovery zone supports every athlete. Mobility tools, yoga mats, and a fuel station keep participants moving.

Activation zones and live entertainment along the course lift the atmosphere, bringing music, performance, and moments of celebration to the challenge — keeping the lakefront vibrant all day.

A shaded outdoor setup with a tent labeled 'TENT.' Inside, people are preparing or resting, with some standing and others sitting near water. A sign indicates a 'RECOVERY ZONE,' and tables display sports products.

why pillar to pou?

  • Graphic of a circular radio wave symbol with a bird silhouette flying above and waves on either side.

    A WORLD-CLASS LOCATION

    Set in the heart of New Zealand’s North Island, the course unfolds along Taupō’s lakefront - with sweeping vistas of the lake and surrounding maunga.

  • A stylized shoe with a track running through it, inside a circle with a waterline and a bird flying above.

    A FRESH TAKE ON ENDURANCE

    Visually striking, modern, and carefully designed - Pillar to Pou blends aesthetic impact with athletic challenge, creating an endurance event designed to inspire.

  • Line drawing of three people in the water, a child in front and two adults behind, with a small bird flying in the sky.

    Solo or team - you choose

    Take on the six-hour challenge solo or share the distance with a team of up to six - testing endurance, pacing, and strategy, your way.

  • Line drawing of a woman running on a beach, with a seagull flying in the sky.

    Open to all levels

    Pillar to Pou is designed for everyone - from first-timers to seasoned athletes - run, walk, race, the experience is yours to shape.

  • A logo for Pillar to Pou, Lake Taupō, featuring a circular design with a medal hanging over water, a fish, and the text 'Pillar to Pou' and 'Lake Taupō.'

    Celebrating every finish

    Finisher medals for every participant and awards for standout performances - because every effort deserves recognition, no matter the distance.

  • Minimalist graphic of a person in a white T-shirt floating in water, with the text "PILLAR TO POU" and a small icon of a leaf on the shirt. A bird silhouette is flying in the black sky behind.

    Premium ASICS merchandise

    A limited release of Pillar to Pou X ASICS technical tees and tanks - lightweight, breathable, and designed for movement, available to purchase.

  • A circular emblem featuring two crossed flags and a wavy line, with a bird flying in the top right background.

    All-day festival atmosphere

    Anchored at Two Mile Bay Sailing Club, the event delivers a vibrant atmosphere - activations, community, and celebration that lasts all day.

  • Icon of a water bottle with a droplet symbol, floating in water with a bird flying above, enclosed in a circle.

    Fuel, hydration, and recovery zones

    Dedicated fuel, hydration, warm-up, and recovery zones - designed to support every participant, every lap, every movement along the way.

follow us.

Stay connected and follow us on Instagram for event updates, behind-the-scene moments, and all things Pillar to Pou.

Pillar to Pou 2026 - locked. Saturday 13 June 2026. Kid’s event: Friday afternoon, 12 June. Back for year two. Entries open soon. #MovementWithMeaning #PillarToPou #WeGoAgain
The clock resets. Pillar to Pou 2026 - details landing - very, very soon 👀 #MovementWithMeaning #PillarToPou #WeGoAgain
It’s been a hot minute — or more specifically, four weeks — since our inaugural Pillar to Pou. We’ve taken some time to decompress, reflect, and soak it all in. Now, it’s time to start sharing. Over the next few weeks,
Race day is nearly here - but first, registration. Come see us at @2miletaupo between 4-7pm today to collect your race pack, bib, merch, and slap band if you’re in a team. Still need to enter? You can do that on the spot. We’ll be back
Procrastinators, forecast-refreshers (awaiting the much-improved forecast), and professional jugglers — we got you. Online regos now open till 10pm. #PillarToPou #MovementWithMeaning #2Mile2Good
From the first slap band to the final lap — you’re part of something special. The inaugural Pillar to Pou. Whether you’re ready, sort of ready, or just showing up with heart — we’ve got you. Online entries close 5pm to
Today’s about running — but it’s also about why we run. Happy #GlobalRunningDay 🏃 We run to feel strong. We run to clear our heads. We run to connect — to each other, to the whenua, and to something bigger than ourselves.
They get to run it like you do. Just a little shorter. The Pillar to Pou kids’ event takes place on Saturday morning at 8am, before the main event kicks off. Three distances to choose from: quarter lap, half lap, or the full 7.3km loop. Ever

Our partners.

We first acknowledge the local iwi and hapū of Taupō, whose connection to this land and lake grounds Pillar to Pou in place, history and meaning.

Black and white circular logo for Two Mile Bay Sailing Club, established in 1989 at Lake Taupo, featuring a sailboat, waves, and a bird.
Asics logo with the slogan 'sound mind, sound body' on a black background.
Black background with the white logo and text that reads 'Vitalize' and a stylized circular design above the text.
Circular logo with a distressed look, featuring the text 'TOTAL SPORT EVENT PRODUCTION' around the top and 'WWW.TOTALSPORT.CNZ' around the bottom; centers a stylized 'S' with the words 'total sport' across it.
Black and white logo for DIY Penny Homes with a stylized house outline.
Logo for Peak Marketing in black and white, with a stylized mountain peak design next to the company name.
Logo for Havana Coffee Works featuring a large yellow star, a white arc with blue text "HAVANA" on top, a black coffee collier icon in the center of the star, and red text "COFFEE" on the left and "WORKS" on the right.
Logo of Tūwharetoa Maori Trust Board with a stylized fish or canoe design
Black and white logo with a smiling face wearing a mask resembling a bandana, surrounded by a circular outline, with the text 'FORTY THIEVES' below.
Black and white logo with the word "Bitfood" and a curved swoosh design.
The logo of Phoenix Organics with a stylized floral or geometric design above the text 'Phoenix Organics' in bold letters.
Logo with two mirrored birds and laurel wreaths, the text 'EST 2004' below, and the words 'PURE BLONDE' in bold navy blue letters.
Black script text saying 'Yum' inside a white cloud-shaped background.