Nearly 10,000 people are running on Auckland’s streets this morning as the Auckland Marathon gets under way. Photo / Alex Burton
Nearly 10,000 people are running on Auckland’s streets this morning as the Auckland Marathon gets under way.
Up to 3105 people from across Aotearoa are running the full 42.2km from Devonport on the North Shore to Victoria Park in the city’s centre, and another 6753 are attempting the half-marathon.
Here is everything you need to you know, whether you’re taking part, watching from the sidelines or trying to beat the crowds.
The weather is looking clear but a little windy for the race and will get more settled as the day goes on.
MetService forecasts clouds will clear this morning to fine weather, with a high of 17C. Fresh southerlies are expected to ease by this evening.
To avoid any event-related traffic or parking restrictions, steer clear of Devonport until 11am and Auckland’s downtown waterfront area or Tāmaki Drive until 2pm.
If you have to drive through this area, some roads will be closed around the marathon course and there could be some delays.
There are southbound lane closures in place from Esmonde Road to Shelly Beach Road, but there are still three lanes open in each direction on the Harbour Bridge.
Some motorway ramps are closed: The Onewa Road southbound on-ramp, Shelly Beach Rd southbound off-ramp and Curran St northbound on-ramp. The Fanshawe St southbound off-ramp will also be closed until 3pm.
Tāmaki Drive and Lower Hobson St to Quay St will be closed from 4am until 1pm and 2pm, respectively.
Specific road closure times, parking restrictions and detours are listed at aucklandmarathon.co.nz.
There are five events; the full marathon, half-marathon, 11km traverse, 5km and kids’ marathon (2.2km).
Running is the “it” sport right now (or at least, we hear running clubs are the hot new way to find dates) and total registrations are at a 10-year high, at almost 16,000.
As of October 22, 3105, people were registered in the full marathon; 1099 more than in 2019 and an impressive 801 more than 2023.
This doesn’t mean 3105 medals will be handed out. A full marathon is no easy feat and in 2023, 2304 runners registered but only 1765 finished the race.
The more achievable yet still challenging 21km half-marathon is more popular and 6753 runners were registered as of October 22.
Prepare to see a lot of young guns jogging along the waterfront; the most popular age group for men and women in the full marathon is between 25 and 29 years old.
The average age has also dropped by two years since 2023 to 36 years old.
Auckland Marathon regional director Amy MacCormack said they have seen running “explode” in popularity, especially among young Kiwis.
“It’s amazing to see thousands of people keen to challenge themselves across one of the five distances on offer at the Auckland Marathon,” she said.
Most full-marathon runners will be men (71%) but keep an eye on the women, whose participation is up 4% since last year.
There is also an almost perfect split between male and female runners (51% vs 49%) across all five marathon events.
Almost 20% of runners will travel from other regions for the event, mostly from Waikato, Wellington and Canterbury. One third of the marathon runners are from outside Auckland and 6% are flying from Australia.
Hot on the heels of the Sydney Marathon, podcast and TV personality Brodie Kane will be running the half-marathon. The 38-year-old is the co-founder of Solo Girls Run Club, a running club for women, and an ambassador for running shoe brand Hoka.
William Waiirua will also be running, as he does every day. On October 6, the TV and social media personality marked 4.5 years of running a minimum of 5km daily. In the past 19 months, he’s hit a minimum of 10km per day.
Justin Weston will also be easy to spot: the 28-year-old personal trainer will run the full marathon blindfolded to raise money for the Mental Health Foundation. The cause is close to Weston’s heart, after his own battles with depression.
Spectators are spoiled for choice when picking a pretty waterfront spot to watch runners go by. However, organisers have revealed their favourite spots.
At Smales Farm, you’ll get to watch runners from every event, bar the 5km, jog past.
Those watching marathon runners should park up at Teal Park, a lesser-known grassy patch by Mechanics Bay, just on the corner of the waterfront. Or head to St Heliers Beach. where you can park up at a cafe and watch runners at the “turnaround point”.
The finish line at Victoria Park will be busy with supporters and participants, and it’ll also be where you’ll find the most smiles and a celebratory atmosphere.
Spectators can use this handy map to plan where and how to cheer on their athletes.
The new free open-air saltwater pool is already proving popular.