Full Monty Coastal Challenge

This is the Full Monty course from the Coastal Challenge running series organised by Total Sport. We started at Campbell's beach (eastern coast of the Mahurangi Peninsula) about 30 minutes after high tide and ran south along the sandy coast AWAY from Omaha beach, towards the Sand Spit entrance (with the water on your left) for 2.5km. The water level at this time ranged from ankle deep to chest high at one inlet crossing. The rocks all along this route had pretty good grip, better than a lot that I have felt around New Zealand.
At 2.5 km we turned around and headed back to Campbells beach. Pass Campbells and continue on around the coastline heading north. The next 9 km is pure rock hopping and bolder climbing. You will not be going fast! A few spots required a little swim across an inlet. There are 3 or 4 beautiful little sandy beaches, including 2 that had pink sand! Not sure what causes this, possible the red algae or seaweed.

Stay along the coast until you get to Jones Bay and the edge of Tawharanui Regional Park (bathrooms here if you need them!). Please note, no dogs are allowed in the park. Enter the park and go around the lagoon and then up and over the peninsula, and onto the South Coast Track following the white markers. This will turn into the North Coast Track eventually (still white markers). It is mostly rolling grassy sheep/cow tracks with views of Kawau, Little Barrier and the Omaha Bay. You can pick up a Tawharanui map near the lagoon.

The North Coast Track drops down towards the golden sand of Anchor Bay (more bathrooms here!). From Anchor Bay, pick up the inland section of the West End Track (blue markers). The West end track spits you out almost on the coast, so take the short, sandy dunes track onto the beach. Run the length of the beach north and get back on to the rocky coastline. This rock hopping is much easier than the first section, with smooth, flat rocks and not so much cliff climbing. From here you'll be in and out of the water as you make your way to the southern end of Omaha beach. Once the rocks end, it's a quick sprint along the beautiful Omaha Beach to Fraser Reserve next to the Omaha Surf Club (more bathrooms and showers too).