The Subway Dun Run: The Event

The Dun Run was first offered in 1995 as ideal training for Coast to Coast athletes, and continues to be strongly supported by multisporters looking for a good challenge to keep their motivation ticking along. However, you definitely don't need to be a multisporter to enjoy this one as there is only a little bit of boulder hopping (or pebble negotiating) on your way up the mountain.

The History (compiled by Jenny Paehrisch)
The route between Brook Street and Coppermine Saddle is the incline section of the historic Dun Mountain Railway. Opened in 1862 this line holds the distinction of being New Zealand's first railway. Although horses were used for traction it was authorised by Parliament as a railway and not as a tramway.
(The Dun Mountain was so named because of the colour of the rock, dunite, which is an olive substance containing traces of chromium).

The Dun Mountain Railway was built to give access to the chromite and copper mines of the Mineral Belt above Nelson. The wagons were pulled up the hill with horses. At the mines the wagons were unhitched and filled with ore. Coupled in pairs and controlled by a brakeman the wagons rolled steadily down the mountainside toward the Port for being shipped to England and Australia.


The lower sections through the city to the Port also provided a railway for freight and passengers. There were four depots on the line called "houses". The first, at the start of the incline section, included stores, workshops for the carpenters and blacksmiths, stables and accommodation. The next most important depot was Third House, located on the Wairoa Saddle. Second and Fourth Houses included small buildings for maintenance work and shelter for the staff.

Due to unfavorable returns the mines were closed by 1866. Six years later the incline section of the railway was dismantled.

Today no trace remains of the City Bus operation in Nelson, though there are some remaining remnants of New Zealand's first railway like sleepers and rails along the incline section of the Dun Mountain Railway. It has become a popular walkway which winds itself through pine and beech forest providing some great views of the city along the way.


The Maitai Valley to the east of the city is a popular recreational area with important natural, historic and landscape values. The Maitai River is Nelson's main source of fresh water and therefore has to be maintained in a healthy state. To implement this, there is a requirement that the flow level in the river doesn't go below a certain level which is essential for the survival of the communities living in the river bed. This regulation is reached through the Maitai Dam and the limiting of the water that can be taken from the river for Nelson's water supply.

If you are interested in this run, you will probably be interested in these other trail runs in the northern South Island:

The South Top Strider Trails

Alpine Lodge Loop the Lake (25km)
Furneaux Lodge Captain Cook's Landing (25km)
Abel Tasman Coastal Classic (32km)
The Blackball Hilton Croesus Crossing (26km)

For further information please contact Averil West (03) 548 3655 or email: admin@nelsonevents.co.nz