Hamilton Lake, Innes Common, Hamilton 3204
Type of Course – One big lap and one small lap
Shoes Required – Road
Things to know
There are toilets and a children’s playground beside the start. Free parking is available in the Hamilton Yacht Club car park and on Lake Domain Dr. Motorhome friendly.
Cafe: Cafe Fresca, 78 Alison St, Hamilton Lake.
Location of start:
The event starts on the grass beside the car park entrance.
Getting there by public transport
From the Hamilton Transport Centre take bus 29 for the 10 minutes trip to Hamilton Lake. From the drop off point it is a 800m walk around the lake edge to the race start.
For the bus route and current timetable please check the busit website
Getting there on foot
At the Hamilton Yacht Club off Lake Domain Dr, Hamilton on the Innes Common side of the Hamilton Lake.
Getting there by road
From the north, follow State Highway 1 into Hamilton. Turn left onto Killarney Rd. Turn right onto Lake Domain Dr and follow until the Hamilton Yacht Club car park is on your left.
From the south, follow State Highway 1 to the intersection with State Highway 3 (Ohaupo Rd). Turn right. Turn left onto Lake Cres and drive until you see the Hamilton Yacht Club car park on your right.
Stats
First run: October 19, 2013
Inaugural attendance: 59
Record attendance: 305 (12/09/2015)
Course records
Women: Lesley Van Miert 16:58 (8/2/2014)
Men: Jacob Priddey 14:48 (15/01/2022)
The Story Behind Hamilton Lake parkrun…
Rob Hammington, original event director
I was President of Hamilton Road Runners. One of our club members came to me one day saying a friend of his was the local franchisee of New Zealand Home Loans (first sponsor of parkrun New Zealand). He wanted to set up a parkrun here in Hamilton and could I help.
I said “parkwhat?” I had no idea what it was, this was way back in early 2013 approximately.
It then transpired the person he was talking about was someone I used to work for – Dave Hale. So I went to see him, he told me what parkrun was about and said “I don’t know a thing about running but can you help us?”
I said “hell yeah”.
It was difficult, because parkrun starts at 8am and Hamilton Road Runners have a Saturday morning session at the same place.
The concern then was that it would ruin the club but it’s saved it, because it recruits without trying. The club is now made up largely of parkrunners.
We had 59 at our first event, I’m very, very proud of what’s been achieved at Hamilton Lake.
To me it’s a typical parkrun, it’s the people who make the parkrun.
I could see the potential for it. It’s better than I ever thought it would be.
I liked what it does for the community and for a lot of individuals. Physical health, mental health. I’ve known quite a few people who go to parkrun for their mental wellbeing and they create great friendships.
Quite a few of our parkrunners have gone on to run in ultras, it’s been a good stepping stone.
I’ll be parkrunning until I drop. I’m addicted to it, it’s like a drug.
It’s part of my life now. I love the people.
We’ve had some notable runners. One day back in 2014 I was setting up and this tall runner showed up.
We had no idea who she was. She asked where the run went and when we started she went off so fast. Turned out she was a European running champion. We were so thrilled to have her here (Lesley Van Miert’s course record of 16:58 still stands at the time of writing).
We’ve had Dave Moorcroft – the former 5000m world record holder – too. That was something special, he was here for my last stint as run director (in February 2020).
I don’t travel the world to do a parkrun but if I’m where there is a parkrun I will do it.
While in Hamilton…
Hamilton Zoo
Waikato River Explorer
Bridal Veils Falls
Zealong Tea Estate