
Running (Harriers)
Calliope provides a range of activities and events for both runners and walkers of all abilities. We meet every Wednesday night at 6:15, with a run or walk beginning at 6:30. People of all ages are welcome.
The Club Rooms are found at the Osborne Memorial Park (also known as "Birkenhead War Memorial Park") at the bottom of Mahara Ave across from the Birkenhead Leisure Centre. The club rooms are located beneath the grandstand.
** We are currently operating out of the Cricket Club.**
Calliope is also involved with a community 5 km run and walk based at the Northcote tavern in Queen St, Northcote. This takes place on Monday nights during daylight saving, with the walkers starting at 6.15pm and the runners 15 minutes later. Spot prizes are awarded and entry is by way of a gold coin donation, the monies donated to a group for graffiti removal.
Click here for maps of the common Wednesday Road run
Calliope provides a range of activities and events for both runners and walkers of all abilities. We meet every Wednesday night at 6:15, with a run or walk beginning at 6:30. People of all ages are welcome.
The Club Rooms are found at the Osborne Memorial Park (also known as "Birkenhead War Memorial Park") at the bottom of Mahara Ave across from the Birkenhead Leisure Centre. The club rooms are located beneath the grandstand.
** We are currently operating out of the Cricket Club.**
Calliope is also involved with a community 5 km run and walk based at the Northcote tavern in Queen St, Northcote. This takes place on Monday nights during daylight saving, with the walkers starting at 6.15pm and the runners 15 minutes later. Spot prizes are awarded and entry is by way of a gold coin donation, the monies donated to a group for graffiti removal.
Click here for maps of the common Wednesday Road run
Running (Bush)
During the brighter evenings of Day light saving, we run weekly runs through the local bushes, Eskdale, Le Roys, Chelsea Estate Heritage parks to mention just a few. A group of the club members also run on weekends along the coast line from Milford up to and around Northhead and back, along with other fantastic bush/coastal running tracks.
We also encourage and take part in many other organised events held through out the year, such as the Xterra Trail series
for more details click here
During the brighter evenings of Day light saving, we run weekly runs through the local bushes, Eskdale, Le Roys, Chelsea Estate Heritage parks to mention just a few. A group of the club members also run on weekends along the coast line from Milford up to and around Northhead and back, along with other fantastic bush/coastal running tracks.
We also encourage and take part in many other organised events held through out the year, such as the Xterra Trail series
for more details click here
The Walkers
Come and join us. We walk all year round in the local area. In the summer we make the most of the bush and reserve tracks. More serious walkers and those training for participation in Half Marathon's and Marathons may go out for longer training walks.
During the summer months walkers may also participate in the Club athletics program, which includes the 3000 meter walk, and the 3000, 5000 and 10000 meters runs, but to which walkers are welcome.
Walkers are also invited on a regular basis to all the club outings, including the Red Stag Relay in the Redwood Forest in Rotorua, the yearly meeting with Hamilton Hawks, and some national events.
If you would like more information, email the club at calliope.birkenhead@gmail.com
Come and join us. We walk all year round in the local area. In the summer we make the most of the bush and reserve tracks. More serious walkers and those training for participation in Half Marathon's and Marathons may go out for longer training walks.
During the summer months walkers may also participate in the Club athletics program, which includes the 3000 meter walk, and the 3000, 5000 and 10000 meters runs, but to which walkers are welcome.
Walkers are also invited on a regular basis to all the club outings, including the Red Stag Relay in the Redwood Forest in Rotorua, the yearly meeting with Hamilton Hawks, and some national events.
If you would like more information, email the club at calliope.birkenhead@gmail.com
Athletics
During the summer months the Athletics season is held on our track comprising of a mix of track and field events. This culminates in the Club Championship in Feb/March. Road and Bush Runs and Walks are held for non-participants during the summer season. Calliope Athletic Records Download file here |
Age and gender graded system

Now you might think, it is pretty tough, if you are a 60 year-old competing against a younger athlete.
Well, the good news is that Calliope caters for you.
We have a number of events that are age and gender relative.
You earn a percentage based on your age in years and fractions of years. Also if it is a mixed event, gender is also taken into account.
Read more about the system here
Well, the good news is that Calliope caters for you.
We have a number of events that are age and gender relative.
You earn a percentage based on your age in years and fractions of years. Also if it is a mixed event, gender is also taken into account.
Read more about the system here
Life Members
Calliope Life Members are members of the club who are given a full membership for the rest of their time at Calliope as significant gratitude and thanks for their effort and commitment to the Club over time.
Murray Stevens 2015
Rod Barker 2011 John Dwyer 2010 Malcolm Wade 2008 Bruce McLean 2005 Len Lanigan 2005 Trevor Mouldey 2004 Graeme Wells 1996 Steve Lee 1994 John & Gail Harnell 1992 |
Bill Fell 1990
Peter Forbes 1990 Mrs T Horne 1980 Robert Crowe 1970 James Darrough 1961 A E Clayton 1959 E J Osborne 1958 Frank Taylor 1950 A E H Clow 1946 Mrs B Clow 1941 |
Famous Calliopians
Like any club, Calliope has had among its members those who have made their mark on the national or international stage. We honor them here.
Mike Parker
The only Calliope athlete who was eventually selected for the Olympics Games. Mike was race walking for the English Club at the time. Unfortunately, it was the Moscow Olympics in 1980 which New Zealand decided to Boycott and Mike was sadly unable to compete. MIke is still walking very successfully after a comeback in 2007. |
Norm Ambler
1936- 2nd in the Round the Lake interclass with fastest time. Won Auckland junior cross-country by 21 seconds. 1937- Won Auckland junior Champs. 2 minutes ahead of second place getter. 1938- Captain of Calliope winning team of Auckland Junior Champ. 1939- Won everything he entered or faster time, despite one event where replaced 3rd. 1945- 1st Auckland Cross-country team. 1946- Won Great Eastern Road Race. 1947- Won Onehunga to Auckland race & Auckland Cross-Country Champs Geoff Shaw Indisputably Geoff was one of the greatest junior athletes in New Zeland Athletic History. He held a plethora of records including 3:44.1 NZ junior 1500 record. Geoff’s time of 13:48.4 in the 5000m still stands as the best time run by an M20 athlete in New Zealand (he was only 18 at the time). Although Geoff’s running career was curtailed by injury he did go on to represent New Zealand in both Track and Cross-country. Geoff is now involved in coaching some of our most promising junior athletes at Calliope. During Geoff’s career he was coached by Calliope’s Frank Smedley and Jack Ralston. |
For more in depth history of Calliope, click here.