As counter-intuitive as it seems to those who don't indulge, doctors, psychologists and runners agree that the effects of marathon running are mainly positive.

Auckland marathon organisers would back changes to the law to stop profiteers cashing in on the event.

Photos from the Round the Bays in Wellington.

A NZ-based retired British Army corporal is about to embark on the race of his life, a 250km slog through the Sahara Desert equivalent to six back-to-back marathons.

Kiwi ultramarathoner Lisa Tamati, now 29 days into her 2,200km run the length of New Zealand, says her body is holding up well, despite early injury fears.

Lisa Tamati will run the length of the country - 2,200 km - in just 33 days. That's the equivalent of 52 marathons in just over a month.