Thousands take part in Air New Zealand Hawke's Bay International Marathon

Runners at the start of the Air New Zealand Full Marathon beginning on Marine Parade this morning. Photo/Warren Buckland

More than 4000 people took part in a variety of races at this year's Air New Zealand Hawke's Bay International Marathon yesterday.

The races included a Kids Run, the Cigna 10km, the New Zealand Sotheby's International Realty Half marathon and the Air New Zealand Marathon, which all finished at Sileni Estates Winery.

Wellington runner Nick Horspool won the Air New Zealand Marathon with a time of 2:32:51.

The 37-year-old said this race was a warm-up for the Gold Coast Marathon on June 30-July 1.

"I feel really good, for me it was a bit of a build-up race."

His personal best is 2:20 so today was a bit slower but he enjoyed the run.

"The course is really varied and the weather was absolutely perfect with no wind, which is nice coming from Wellington.

"There was great support in the last 10km through the vineyards."

Horspool's father lives in Havelock North so the athlete has spent quite a bit of time running around Hawke's Bay.

"I've wanted to do this marathon for a while and finally had time."

Nick Horspool won the Air New Zealand Marathon today. Photo/Warren Buckland

Havelock North resident Jane Davis and her friend Maureen Johnson, from Whanganui, took part in the Cigna 10km walk for the first time this year.

Davis said the duo loved it so much that they planned to start competing in more walking events.

"It was very well organised, a great atmosphere."

Natasja van Balken travelled all the way from China for the Cigna 10km run today which she found very tough but enjoyed the beautiful scenery.

She had competed in the Queenstown International Marathon in 2016 and when she saw images of the Hawke's Bay event she knew she had to come back to New Zealand for it.

Now that the race is over she will be spending the next week in a campervan exploring the country.

Christchurch couple Laura and Lindsay Officer competed in the New Zealand Sotheby's International Realty Half.

"It was a lovely, beautiful course. We got to see some amazing places," Laura said.

"The weather was great, too."

Paralympian Liam Malone nearing the finish line. Photo/Warren Buckland

Faustinah Ndlovu, from Rotorua, participated in the half marathon as a guide for an athlete with cerebral palsy through Achilles which provides people with disabilities the opportunity to participate in athletic events.

"It was really good, the course is quite good....really perfect."

Being able to be a guide to help someone compete was very rewarding because it helped people focus on their abilities rather than disabilities, she said.

"It makes me feel really good."

The event drew competitors from all over the country and internationally with 76 per cent of entrants coming from outside Hawke's Bay.

It was also a fundraiser for official charity partner, the Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter.

The course had been designed to keep disruption to traffic at a minimum as it ran along the waterfront and cycle trails, quiet country roads and the last 10km through private vineyards.