Auckland marathon newbie leads the pack to cross finish line first

Today's winner of the Auckland marathon led from start to finish - despite never having run one before.

Cantabrian, Oska Inkster-Baynes, 25, already holds a half-marathon title, but this morning's run was his first full-haul.

He said crossing the finish line ahead of the pack has made all the nights training, missing out on cuddles with his six-month-old daughter, worth it.

"I wasn't surprised, but just satisfied the plan's paid off."

The young father led the pack the whole way along the course to finish it in 2 hours, 20minutes and 36 seconds.

He said there was no secret to success, though joked drinking beer and running "lots" could help.

"Just set yourself a task and you can't hide from training... sacrifice a bit and work hard."

He added his coach, had given him the confidence in his ability.

Baynes said if someone was going to beat him today, they'd have had to go through hell and back to do it.

The first-time marathon runner, who'd been training since earlier this year, while learning to be a first-time dad and managing a business, has come away from being the "problem-child" on the verge of being kicked out of school.

Having just completed his first full-marathon he hoped to head further afield and had Berlin in his sights as one marathon to tackle in the near future.

Nicole Goldsmid was first over the Harbour Bridge and went on to win the women's marathon. Photo / Greg Bowker

All round it was a stunning, albeit chilly morning, as just over 13-thousand people took part in the annual event that kicked off from Devonport.

The 42km course took entrants on a picturesque run along the water, over the bridge and through to St Heliers and back.

The winner of the women's division of the race was ex-New Zealand swimmer Nicole Goldsmid from Feilding. Goldsmid won with a time of two hours, 47 minutes.