As a reverential student of New Zealand running history, Nick Willis found a unique place in its pantheon today with bronze in the 1500m at the Rio Olympics.

This time next week, the St Cuthbert's College cross-country team of six will be winging their way to the Northern Hemisphere.

All eyes will be on Ohope today as some of the country's top athletes battle it out across the fastest half-marathon course in New Zealand.

The Color Run, also known as the happiest 5k on the planet, was in Auckland celebrating healthiness, happiness and individuality.

For most part-time athletes, finishing one Ironman New Zealand endurance challenge is something to cherish.

History of one the world's toughest races, the Mount Baker Marathon.

Kiwi actor David de Lautour believes most New Zealanders secretly identify with the Wests, the likeable criminal family from Outrageous Fortune.

A son of Vietnamese "boat people" to New Zealand is running three half marathons to fundraise and highlight the plight of refugees.

Rachel Smalley, recovering in Beirut from her first marathon, hot-footed it to a bomb site where at least 43 people were killed in a shopping street.

New Zealand No 2 Nick Horspool and Japan's Hirotaka Tanimoto look set to battle it out in the ASB Auckland Marathon tomorrow.

The thought of refugee families living in tented communities will be the motivation for Kiwis taking part in a marathon in the Middle East next week.

Rugby fans running marathon tomorrow can watch RWC final if they can keep up with runners live-streaming the game from iPads strapped to their backs.

A number of Kiwis will forgo the Rugby World Cup final to stand on the start line of the New York City Marathon tomorrow morning.

Whatever the result of the World Cup final, first-time marathon runner Rob Coley believes the adrenaline rush will propel him to the finish - in his ABs jersey.

Susan Strongman meets four people with more powerful reasons to run than most.

Couple have attempted IVF treatments and had a heart-breaking miscarriage after 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Marathons are in Kiri Price's blood - her earliest memories include waiting for her father at various finish lines - yet the 47-year-old fitness instructor was a relatively late starter.

When the doctors hooked Aries Merritt on to the dialysis machine two years ago, they told him his running days were over.

Angela Kingi was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) when she was 29 years old.

Andrew Town created the Jacks Point Trail Run which will have its first outing on Saturday, September 5.

Television presenter Mike McRoberts is looking forward to running the Hoka One One Taupo Marathon today - albeit with an unusual twist.

Pint-sized Kiwi Kim Allan intends to run Tor des Geants next month - a 330km non-stop race through the Italian Alps that she must complete in under 150 hours.

Eugene Bingham describes how running helps him find freedom - freedom to quit worrying and be happy.

Five mini-events around Auckland will give would-be marathon participants a tailor-made practice programme.