Fan sets up brilliant Sunday morning

Rob Coley is geared up for the full 42.1km after running the half last year.

Runner hopes to cross line on a high but will channel anger if he must

Whatever the result of Sunday's Rugby World Cup final, first-time marathon runner Rob Coley believes the adrenaline rush will propel him to the finish line - wearing his All Blacks jersey.

The 27-year-old Aucklander plans to get to the start line of the ASB Auckland Marathon at 5am to catch the first half of the All Blacks v Wallabies game before the starting gun goes at 6am.

Large screens will be in place at the start line in Devonport for participants to watch the game live, in conjunction with Sky TV.

"I will listen to the rest of the game as I run along. Hopefully it will be able to provide some fuel if the boys are winning ... and if not I will probably just run it in anger.

"Either way I think it is a win-win for me in terms of running -- I will either be high on adrenaline ... or so angry that I will be able to push through the pain threshold -- but I don't want to think about it going the Aussies' way."

Mr Coley, a retail buyer for a hardware company, is a dedicated rugby fan but was not aware of the timetable clash when he signed up to the marathon in March. After completing the half marathon event last year, he was determined to run the full 42.195km this year.

"You get so involved and passionate about [rugby] it's a little bit gutting that it's going to conflict on the same day."

Mr Coley's girlfriend, Olivia Newman, will meet him at the final checkpoint with his All Blacks jersey.

"I've got a 1994 Steinlager Series All Blacks shirt but back then it wasn't the lightweight breathable stuff they wear these days, so I think my girlfriend is going to give it to me at the 35km mark ... so I'm wearing it for the finish."

As well as the large screens, marathon runners will receive score updates as they continue on the course.

Runners for the half marathon who make it to the starting point early should be able to catch the whole match before they begin at 6.50am.

The clash of dates was unable to be avoided due to the event's impact on traffic levels, particularly on the Auckland Harbour Bridge which is closed for runners to cross.